She is also wife to NBS TV journalist Canary Mugume, and their marriage was the centre of divorce speculation a couple of months ago, before the couple bounced back on social media, shushing and embarrassing the gossipers.
Those who know Sasha also know her passion and love for organized spaces, more so with a touch of pink, which she is kind of obsessed with, as she told Quick Talk in a recent chat.
Thank you for accepting the interview, Sasha!
You are welcome. Sorry it took me long to get back you, but I’m ready now. I am always swamped with so many things Sorry about that!
I’m curious about those “many things”. What have you been up to?
Lately, I have been seriously practicing my passion, which is interior designing. I have been transforming people’s homes and giving them new looks as per their preferences.
Why did you pause your work with Draw A Smile Uganda?
It has been a while without updates. [Draw A Smile Uganda is a youth-led non- governmental organization, which focuses on changing lives of children, youth and young mothers. It was founded by Sasha.] Draw A Smile is great, and I didn’t pause or stop it; we have actually been more focused on the good turn of projects the previous year.
However, within the next month, we will launch our new campaign. For the past two years, our main focus has been the menstrual hygiene campaign focusing on training young girls and women how to make reusable sanitary pads.
You are indeed a busy woman. Do you also practice your profession?
Yes, I do practice it; I do counselling under Health Minds, though honestly speaking, lately, my main focus is in real estate.
How do you maintain a work-life balance?
In my first year as a mother, it was so challenging and I had to take a break from work for three months to re-organize my life, because both the baby and husband needed so much attention. I had to adjust here and there so that both feel my total presence.
Becoming a mother doesn’t mean losing yourself in the process. Along the way, you learn how to balance all. And we women were created to multi-task.
The public and media are so interested in your love life! How have you managed to handle social media rumours?
Marriage and love are between two people; the rest is background noise.
I hear you! What is your take on the issue of sharing the bills?
A woman must and should be a home manager, while on the other hand, the man is the provider, although it’s important to make your husband feel like he can count on you at any time in case things are not moving well, because no man is an island; so, a woman can chip in here and there to make home a comfortable space for all.
To take you back, how do you think your humanitarian organization has helped teenage girls?
Through our menstrual hygiene project, we have been able to help over 3,000 girls and young mothers overcome the trauma that comes with menstruation, because they lack what to wear in their ‘red days’; some girls end up missing school in such days, which creates a big debt in their learning.
The trainings have helped so many young girls grow their confidence, and not feel like they are any less in the society and for the young mothers, some have been able to create job opportunities in making reusable pads.
What inspired you into becoming a clinical psychologist?
Mental issues are a big deal and I feel like it has taken us so long to realize that. You would hear people say that depression, bipolar disorder, among others, are illnesses for the white people or the rich.
No, these are key issues that affect all of us at some point in life and I being part of the people that can give a helping hand in this line is fulfilling and God’s calling. No one should suffer alone. Let’s make the world a better place for all of us.
How have you helped in creating awareness of mental health?
Through developing a greater understanding of mental illness. It can allow people to recognize those in their lives who may be dealing with anxiety, depression or other conditions that affect their mental well-being.
This could even include a self-realization of their own mental health conditions which is a great start to finding solutions for the different mental problems.
On to interior designing, how is that going?
I manage all kinds of property and I transform people’s homes into [spaces] where they would truly rather be. Don’t live in a boring environment thinking you need millions to bring comfort closer to you.
Noted, ma’am! How is motherhood treating you?
Motherhood is beautiful and fulfilling, I wouldn’t trade it for anything! [Sasha and Canary share a son, Cairo.]
What is your definition of true love?
True love is giving the other person the power to destroy you, but trusting that they will not. True love is selfless.
Any advice to someone who is looking up to you?
Do your best and leave the rest to God. He never disappoints; and always trust God for everything in your life, including people.
What is your calm place?
My pink Bible. I feel so safe reading it.
Haha…it had to be pink! What is behind your love for pink?
I honestly cannot explain it. I just feel like it’s a colour that breathes more life into me, if that even makes sense [she chuckles.]
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Having extended Property Avenue to East Africa, and probably with a bigger family.
Amen! Which Bible verse gives you strength?
Proverbs 31. The virtuous woman.
And what is your best memory?
The day I gave birth to Cairo. I will forever be thankful to God for having given birth like the Hebrew women [biblically, the Hebrew women had quick, easy births.]
Any regrets in life?
Not any I can point at, because when it comes to work, I always give it my best shot so that I never regret the opportunities I didn’t take; and when it was time to study, I gave it my best, same with love. It happened at its own timing. If there are any regrets, they are not major life choices. I am generally thankful to God.
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