AGNES AMEEDE, 47, is the new woman MP for Pallisa district. Prior to that, she was a senior immigrations officer at the ministry of internal affairs, a job she retired from to participate in active politics. Quick Talk had a chat with her at Parliament last week.
After the greetings and preamble…

So, why did you retire in favour of politics?

I joined politics to offer myself as an alternative leadership for the women in my constituency. With the knowledge and experience I had acquired over time, I decided to serve my people in Pallisa, especially the women.

Tell me about your family.

I was born to Mr and Mrs Gabriel Olaki as the fifth of 12 children. My mother was an empowered housewife [Quick Talk finds that one interesting: an empowered housewife…] and my father was a teacher and a local council leader. He was a head teacher in Kabwangasi primary school where I studied my primary.

Oh, did you earn any favours as the head teacher’s daughter?

No. He actually beat me a lot. He was a disciplinarian and he always insisted on hard work and the fear of God. We prayed at home every evening and went to church every Sunday.

Which schools did you go to after Kabwangasi primary school?

I went to St Paul’s College [Mbale College] for O-level, Tororo Girls’ School for A-level and Makerere University for B.A Arts.

While working with internal affairs, I did a PGD and master’s in Management at Uganda Management Institute and another master’s of science in development management at the UK Open University. I also have a certificate in administrative law.

Okay! Tell us about your own family.

I am married to a one Mr Omulen Lawrence. He is into his personal businesses and we are blessed with three daughters. We have been together since 1996.
 
How do you find parenting today?

It is very challenging especially in this age of technology. For instance, our youngest daughter who is in eighth grade [think S1, my friends] insists she also needs the Internet to do her classwork.

So, she has a laptop, a tablet and a smart phone. But as a parent, it is my duty to monitor what she does with the gadgets and offer her the right guidance [hmm. The stricter the parents get, the smarter the kids-with-gadgets get, honourable. Just so you know.]

Many female politicians often find it hard to get time for family. How do you even know what your eighth-grader is viewing on her phone?

I do spend quality time with my family. I pay keen attention to whatever happens at home. I am the children’s main chauffeur; I buy all the food and cook or supervise its preparation. I pay attention to the kids’ health and complement their father as well.

Lucky Mr Omulen! Which activities do you do for fun as a family?

Now that the kids are teenagers, they are interested in different things; so, we don’t usually do fun activities like we used to back then like going to beaches to play. We now go to restaurants to eat and converse. A few times we have [gone] on holiday as a family.

Speaking of holidays, where would you like to have the next one?   

[Smiling:] I have heard Paris is beautiful. I have been to many African countries, various states in the USA, Canada, Rome, Norway, Netherlands and the UK, among others. I really look forward to going to France and maybe Stockholm and Israel [Quick Talk nods along to her list, with a tinge of healthy envy].

What kind of music do you enjoy, Honourable?   

[Speaking enthusiastically:] Being an old-timer, the music that appeals to me is old-school. My favourite artiste is Lionel Richie. I love music.

UB40’s show [Kampala, February 2008] is my most memorable show to date. I have attended all the Nile Jazz Safari concerts. Kool and the Gang’s show was nice, but we were cheated – they played very few songs.

I am guessing you love to dance as well…

Oh I do [Laughs]. I don’t go to nightclubs but I get to dance at parties. I would have danced very hard at Parliament’s end-of-year party, but unfortunately I was unwell.

And those [pointing at her spectacles] are trendy. You must be a style enthusiast.

[Smiles in approval.] It has to do with my name. St Agnes was a very particular person and so am I. I pay attention to detail for everything I wear. By the way, you don’t need a lot of money to look good [Quick Talk could not agree more].

Where do you buy your clothes?

I have had many travel opportunities; so, I always pick stuff whenever I travel. Here in Uganda, I buy them from Faith Fashions and Mrs [Gladys] Mukula’s boutique [in Garden City]. I mostly like clothes from the US and UK.

What is your favourite dish?

[Instantly:] Atap and dry fish.

And what makes you angry?

Lack of consideration to the public good. I hate selfishness.

What don’t people know about you?

People mistake me to be very quiet, because I am humble, simple and shy. Yes I am humble, shy and simple but I am very assertive. I don’t go by the masses. I go by my laws and principles.

pbaike@yahoo.com