I can be naughty and playful too - NTV’s Josephine Karungi

Karungi tied the knot with music producer, Vince Musisi, in 2012, although it is not clear whether the two are still together. net photo.

I met Josephine Karungi for the interview at Kampala Serena Hotel, which houses NTV - Uganda where she works. Dressed in a knee-length floral dress and flat white shoes, a jovial Karungi came out to meet me at the reception.
As we went around the hotel looking for a place to sit, she was very chatty, asking mostly about my hair. She talks calmly but with confidence. This is how our chit-chat went down.

You have previously turned down all our requests for interviews. What changed?
You were right in my face asking for the interview. How could I say no to someone who was looking right at me? Other than that, I did not mean to be difficult. I just feel like if I can be out of the papers for a little while, people will start to take me more seriously. Every time someone saw my name, it was connected with a weird story.

And what is the weirdest one that you read about yourself in the papers?

I do not read about myself. I purpose not to read. The most I will see is the headline because if I am on the front page, it is hard to miss.

It is when people decide to do that stupid thing of taking pictures with their phones of what they have seen about me in the papers and send them to me by Whatsapp. If you decide to read that stuff, you will run mad. You will find yourself doing stupid things because you are upset and losing your peace.

So, who is Josephine?
What do you want to know?
Anything about you
I don’t know. You will have to get that answer while we are interacting.
How would you describe yourself?
I cannot describe myself.

Okay, what have you heard people say about you then?
People think I am very tough and serious. But then, I can be very naughty and playful. What they may not probably know is that I’m extremely anti-social. I would rather be at home reading a book than somewhere hanging out.

Some people say you’re quiet and shy.
Yes, I’m very quiet and shy. I’m a very private person.

Yet you read news on national television?
No one is looking at you reading news in that studio. It is just the equipment and I do not tend to think about the people outside. But that aside, I am never shy when it comes to work but if it is just meeting people and someone shouts Josephine! I normally go, Oh my God! Lord, take me away.

Being that you are “anti-social,” does this frighten or excite you?
It does not frighten me to be who I am.
Did the young Josephine aspire to be a news anchor?
Everyone knew I would become a journalist. I always liked to read since I come from a reading family. I just never thought that I would do television because I am very reserved. I thought I would always be writing.
Did you ever write?
I tried to write for one newspaper but that was a while back. I did not like how the edited pieces came out. I felt like I should remove my name and put the editor’s name because they changed so much in that it did not sound like me anymore. But I do my own writing and blogging nowadays.
How did you end up on television?
Back in 2008, while I was working in a certain NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation), a friend called me about a certain advertisement that NTV was recruiting news anchors. I took my papers and later did the screen test.

I was told that there were about 800 applicants. Just as I had quit my job at the NGO, which was about a month later, I was called by NTV and told that I had been shortlisted with two other people. I later started working in 2009.

What was your first time on air like?
It was terrible. I was wearing the wrong colour and I cannot think why no one told me that dark colours do not work well for news. The preferred colours were the black and grey and blue and such, but television has evolved. Now the bold colours like red work too. My suit was also a little big on that day and also, my voice was young.
Was there any truth to what was published about your marriage to music producer Vince Musisi falling apart?

You do not expect me to respond to things I used not to read about.

What is your relationship status at the moment?
(Laughs) What is the next question?
At least give us a hint.

(Just smiles at me)
You are a beautiful lady, Josephine. Most men would want to know if you are taken or not.
(Laughs) I don’t like where this is going. You know you can rephrase the question about 10 times and it will still get you the same answer.
Okay then, what relationship advice do you have for women?

What I can say is that be wise and very smart when you are making relationship decisions.

Do you think the media has the right to cover private lives of people in the limelight or not?
They go to the extremes. People begin to ask you questions such as, “But what did you do to the media to deserve the way they treat you?” And you’re thinking “hmmm… I was born and I lived, that’s what I did.”

Those struggling to maintain their privacy yet working in public jobs. What can they do?
Stop struggling. Live. You cannot live your life wondering what everyone will think, you will be living for the world and that is a sad life.
Which are some of the ways you have learnt to protect yourself?

I am an introvert, which in its own way is a mechanism for me. I prefer to be around my close circle of friends and that is safer. Do not disrespect yourself or treat yourself badly in anyway, in private or public. Also, make wise decisions.

The issue of sharing relationship and family life online, what’s your take on that?

I do not do it. I’m a very private person. There is such a thing as too much information and that for me means the more you put yourself out there, the more you open yourself up to abuse and then you will have to deal with all the negativity and evil that is in the minds of idle people.

Too many nudes recently. Who is to blame and how can women protect themselves against such?
I will not apportion blame and I will not say anyone is innocent. I will just say, please be responsible and be careful. People are not who they seem.

Hurt people hurt others, in a moment of anger, even the ones who are closest to you, can bring you harm. We are still in an age where women are objectified. Carry yourself with dignity.

Cover up and be someone you are proud of.
Balancing work and personal life; is it that important?
It is important. It can be a very lonely existence to live for just your job. Prioritise and stand up for your priorities.

Five years from now…
I want to do so much. I do not know if I will still be here. But wherever I will be, I would not want to be in a selfish industry or in a selfish kind of employment. It has to be a people thing.

Karungi’s tips
About broadcast journalism;
• If broadcast is something you really want, persist. Do not allow distractions or self-pity. You must have the commitment to be available whenever and wherever, and you have to want it badly enough to give away a piece of yourself.

Three things about working on TV
• It is not that fancy, so much goes into making it look the way it does. But you get to meet people and build contacts.
• You age faster on TV. I think television is kinder to men than women. People will accept an elderly man but they will constantly pick on an older woman. You need to grow with and adapt to what is happening around you to remain relevant. I really do not know if we are all called to be on television forever. If television is meant for you, you find a way of making it work. If it is was for a season, you do your thing and move on to other things.
• You have to learn every day because TV can be cruel. It does not have room for mistakes. It pushes you to learn so much about yourself too. You learn to honestly critic yourself, and take criticism.

To fellow women
We should support, look out for and help each other to grow. Women not being empowered is no longer an issue for me. We have women up there and what are they doing for the others? Become a woman who wants to help another woman achieve or succeed.