A lot more than meets the eye

Briefly tell me about yourself.
I’m a regular Ugandan born of two people who chose to live in the United States for economic reasons. I was raised in a polygamous family of straight and narrow Christians. I’m a very critical person who enjoys mental combat.
How would you describe yourself?
I am a keen student of life, theology and philosophy with a failed attempt at understanding women. Women’s thoughts are unpredictable.
Have you mentored any journalists so far?
It has become a big feature on my social media platforms. People say I inspire them a lot and I have got five or six people telling me directly that I actually inspire them. I was personally inspired by the late Andrew Patrick Luwandagga though I never had a one-on-one with him.

You come off as an overtalker on television to the viewers. Are you?
Ugandans do not know how to throw out complements. The negatives are the positives to them. Motor mouth journalist! I’m okay with that.

You are also famous ‘grilling’ your guests on television. How do you do this?
I concentrate a lot and I think it is because of my marathon and boxing trainings. It also goes back to the fact that I am deep on logic and the concentration attached to theology. My mind is also huge to an extent that it cannot be consumed by the predictable Ugandan politics.

You were an Adventist pastor. Why did you quit?
I was defrocked on radio by the leadership of church fronting allegations that I made statements about the church which were untrue while I was speaking on an event in Kololo. I contemplated legal action but I was advised to let go. The evidence was recorded and it is available at UBC TV, people can see it and choose between me and the church on who to believe.
What else do you away from television?
I am deeply involved in theology/ spiritual work. I hold fellowship at Mt Zion Hotel called In Truth in Spirit (ITIS). I also sing gospel inspirational music, do sports and I’m a devoted family man.
Which schools did you go to?
I went to Nakasero Primary School, Kyambogo College School for O’Level, Kololo High School for A-Level where I spent the two years getting used to going to school with girls. I later joined Nkumba University for a diploma in Commercial Industrial Art and Design. After some time, I went back to do a degree which I did not complete for I dropped it to study theology at Bugema University. I then proceeded to England to do my Masters in Theology.
What were you doing before joining television?
I was lecturing at Bugema University where I fell out with the establishment because of my thinking. I then volunteered at the Interreligious Council where I left and went to television.

What would be your ultimate achievement in this field?
Changing the way we think as the nation, I would like people to start thinking critically, analytically and synthetically.
Have you had any bad moments while on air?
I tend to know how best to deal with my guests, I push people out of their comfort zone, but I have never had them react funny. I love hosting people who walk off set but it has never happened to me.

And the good ones?
I got a chance to have an exclusive interview with Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, the widow of Dr John Garang, the late Vice President of Sudan) immediately after her return from exile when she had not spoken to any media house. I have also interviewed Myles Munroe and Don Moen.

What kind of person are you off screen?
I am a feminist because most of the influential figures in my life are women. I am also a very playful person and I fancy a career in stand-up comedy.
Are you married?
Yes, for 14 years now. I have three daughters who I love so much and they mean the world to me.

Your desired legacy
“He worked hard, tried hard and was passionate about it.”
Have you got any feedback about your “performance” on air? What has it been like?
I get a lot of feedback, some have criticised my Luganda which I know is not the best, a few say I remind them of the late Bbale Francis which is also unfair because he was an extraordinary man who was so good at what he did.
What is the weirdest thing you have heard said about you and what was your reaction?
Hahahahaha…I think what has been around for some time is people saying that I am attractive, and the emoji that covers the face is my reaction.

Who is your ideal woman?
A woman that believes in me, inspires me, reproaches me and puts me in line. I hate a woman who allows me dominate because I know women make better leaders than men. Thankfully, I have one, my wife, who pushed me back to school and I lived off her for some good time.

And who, in your opinion, is the ideal man?
One who thinks critically, analyses, synthesises and evaluates his decisions before making any serious decision in life.

I’m a feminist
You call yourself a feminist. Why?
Yes, all my theological and academic dissertations are arguments against the ordination of women. I basically talk in the various theological conferences about reinforcing feminism and pushing forward the opinion that God cannot create inferior and superior.

I write academically, front my arguments in theological conferences because I never push causes that do not go far. I, for instance, cannot engage the different religions to front this because they have different ideologies. But I am always ready to face whoever wants us to argue about the superiority of women in society.
How would you describe feminism anyway?
I look at it as a view that women are not inferior and they are as good as men or even much better since God created the same way.