‘I am not where I want to be yet’

What you need to know:

Many hats: Charles Mmwanguhya Mpagi, is a seasoned journalist, bureau chief of The East African Newspaper and the information minister in Tooro Kingdom. Nicolas Akasula had a chat with him about life and career.

Who is Charles Mmwanguhya?
A down-to-earth journalist extracted out of the village. I am passionate about journalism, a very private person, a family man, with a wife, son and daughter.
You seem to be a very calm lad. Is this who you are in real life?
Nothing has changed me. Those who saw me 20 years ago will tell you I am still the same person today. Positions and money should not change us but ambitions sometimes do.
Why did you opt for a media career?
It was a natural calling. I am a very curious person. I like to explore, to be informed and to inform other people. From a very young age, I loved reading and debating, a hobby I have carried through adulthood.
What has the media journey been like for you?
When I was in Senior Six, Voice of Tooro- a radio station in south western Uganda, was established in my home district. People who were working there approached me on several occasions, asking me to write stories.
I made up my mind, went and told the manager of the station that I wanted to read news. But he looked at me and saw a very timid man. He did not hire me.
Interestingly, a few days later, he looked for me. On my way to see the manager, I made a stopover at a police station and went with a written news story. This was a turning point in my journalism career.
People I worked with then identified potential in me when I started filling positions of people who were senior to me.
When was your breakthrough?
When I joined Monitor FM (current day KFM), I transitioned into a print journalist, and ended up on TV. Today, I work as a broadcast and print journalist.
When did your wife last surprise you?
(Laughs)… I am not easy to surprise. I get easily excited and impatient. But one day, when she was still a girlfriend, she arranged a surprise welcome back party for me. I was returning from an international leadership exchange programme in the US. I asked her why she had to organise such a big party for me and why she invited many people. My reaction surprised her and I feel sad that I offended her then.
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy reading books and meditating. I also spend time playing with my son at home and perhaps spending some time at the farm.
What is the naughtiest thing you did as a child?
Back in high school, some students and I were in charge of producing a high school newspaper. One day, teachers had a fight with students who were martial arts scholars and one of those students was arrested in a mischievous way. This strange incident propelled us to produce a classified edition of a cartoon that generated more commentary.
By midmorning, the following day, students, cooks, cleaners converged at the notice board to laugh at the hilarious cartoon.
One teacher plucked the publication off the notice board and pinned it in the staffroom and that was one of the most hillarious days for our teachers then. Our Fine Art teacher hailed us for being creative.
What is your philosophy in life?
We are more capable than we can imagine. We barely optimise our capabilities and skills. I have not walked out of office and said yes; I have made it. I always feel that I can do much better.
How do you keep afloat amidst your insane schedule?
It is true, I work so hard, but I try to strike a balance. Like any other person, sometimes, I find myself throwing my weight on one side, more than the other. But I find a way of getting back on track.
Achievements
Charles Mwanguhya moderates high profile public debates and sessions such as at the World Bank, African Development Bank, government ministries, and the United Nations.