‘I speak 14 languages fluently’

DANIEL BWAMBALE, 34, is a senior principal magistrate. His witty analysis of different issues on Twitter has endeared him to many. Quick Talk caught up with him recently. 

Hello Daniel, briefly tell Quick Talk about yourself

I am Daniel Bwambale Busathiro Mutahunga. I am a senior principal magistrate working with the judiciary in Uganda. I have also worked as the head of the Uganda Legal Information Institute. I am happily married with two children.

Kindly take Quick Talk through your life’s journey

I was born in 1988 to David Masereka Muthahunga [RIP] a geologist and Edith Mbabazi Masereka, a retired headteacher. I am the second born in a family of four children. We had an excellent life growing up. My father was well-employed. By the time I was born, we had both a Bedford lorry and an electric cooker, at least [yep; that was as middle class as it got, back then].

I have never been chased out of school over school fees. We read books. We had so much literature surrounding us, growing up. During my P.6 and P.7, my father bought me a newspaper daily.

I hear you…

My life growing up influenced me in greater part as an adult. Debates with my dad started when I was in P.6. He discouraged us from thinking we were young and couldn’t engage in conversations. He encouraged us to be truthful and courteous. This has helped me.

Which schools did you attend?

I attended Iganga Boys PS for PLE, Busoga College Mwiri for O’level and Ntare School for my A’level. I later proceeded to Makerere University for my Bachelor of laws before joining Law Development Center for my postgraduate diploma.

How did someone born in Kasese end up in Busoga?

The nature of my father’s job dictated that the family moved with him. He was an RDC in Busoga. When he was posted to Bugiri district, he scouted for a good school around the region. That is how I ended up at Iganga boys.

We have lived in Bugiri, Kumi, Katakwi, Nakasongola, Kisoro etc. It was an interesting journey of learning about Ugandans of various roots of life. It was an interesting interplay that we enjoyed as kids.

How many languages do you speak?

I speak 14 languages fluently [whoa!]; English, Lhukonzo, Runyoro, Rutooro, Lusoga, Luganda and others. I know some German and French. I am teaching myself Latin.

Impressive! Which career paths had you wished to take?

I wanted to become both a teacher and a geologist. My parents were my biggest source of inspiration. During both my senior four and senior six holidays, I served as a teaching assistant at a primary school owned by my parents. Home was my learning place.

How did your dad influence your life?

Even when we didn’t have the biggest houses, he was responsible for our very happy childhood. I miss him daily. He was my best friend. He was a gentle Christian man. We talked about everything. Since he is not around, I am less reckless because he was my pillar of strength in my solitude.

How do you cover up for him with mama?

When a father passes, the older boys assume the position and work towards filling the gap. You almost become an ‘active’ husband.

You become more listening since your nature of gifting changes. Although she will not ask, you have to think of small presents once in a while. You can buy her bags, shoes, pay for her fuel, etc. It helps that someone is thinking about them. She misses her friend.

So, the making of Counsel Bwambale…

Law was never my first love. My first love was engineering. I am still nicknamed engineer at home. I tampered with several electrical appliances.

When my S.4 results came out in 2004, I had scored distinctions in the arts and credits in the sciences except in biology where I had a distinction two. I decided to do History, Economics, Literature and Geography at A’level.

How did you feel about this?

I was bitter when the UCE results were released. My worst performance in academics was at O’level. I got aggregate five at PLE. I was among the best in my class at A’level.

How does it feel being everyone’s go-to person?

It is a privilege, though overwhelming sometimes. They have the choice to ask someone else. I know that they verify whatever I have said or written. They do not take it as gospel truth. It is humbling when they come again.

Did you hold any leadership positions while growing up?

Yes! I served as the head prefect at Ntare school around 2005/6.

So Mr HP, take Quick Talk back to those Ntare days

It was a lesson in managing human beings. The position came with a lot of powers and privileges. I had an allowance. I don’t recall my parents giving me pocket money after I became the HP. I was also on a bursary for my stellar performance till I completed my senior six.

Since I was a member of the Ntare school board of directors, I got exposed to the executive experience early. It probably prepared me for what I am now.

Do you harbour political ambitions?

There’s a general belief that for one to have an impact, one should be either an MP or President. I recognize that becoming an MP is an important platform, but impact isn’t limited to these platforms. I have led an impactful life by utilizing my skills.

I would consider being an MP later in my life, but not now. About the presidency, Raymond Mujuni regards himself as my chief of staff [laughs]. I shall revert after talking to him.

How was life at Makerere?

We joined Makerere in 2007. The internet was just becoming a thing. The country was exciting. Series like 24, Heroes etc had started to become a thing. Possibilities in Uganda were endless around this time. We were allowed to dream.

Young people feel different today…

They feel decision-making is restricted to few centres of power: It’s dangerous for a young demography like ours. There should be more answers at the lowest level possible instead of all answers coming from the top. Young people feel misunderstood.

Our parents never paid for WiFi per month or never used a taxi to go to work in a country where a litre of fuel is about $1.5. It partly accounts for the hopelessness that we see. However, tech, tourism, oil and gas can be game changers.

What is the future of our education?

We are approximately 30 years behind everyone. ICT is still looked at as a by-the-way. We are a society that still celebrates grades. There’s no reason why Greenhill and Hillside should be competing with Kasokoso PS.

We need different examination boards with regulators like UNEB. The UK has almost four examination boards. Schools should go to the boards that suit them best. If we had these separate examination boards, we would move quickly.

How did you meet your current wife?

I had always wanted to marry young. I initially wanted to get married at 24 though I got married at 27. Ours was love at first sight. I met her at an introduction ceremony of a friend in Mbarara. I told her I would marry her and she laughed it off. We got married a year later.

You married from a different culture!

Yes! My parents were very okay since they expected it. I don’t think most of my uncles and aunties appreciated it that much [laughs]. Her side was interesting. Her parents instantly appreciated my culture. The support from the parents has kept us strong eight years later.

What is your love language?

Words of affirmation. If I have bought you a car,it is only right if you cook me a good meal and say this is in appreciation of the car [smiles].

What kind of music do you listen to?

Alternative Rock. I grew up listening to Cold Play and the like.

And literature?

Classics and Fiction. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is my best.

Why are you so critical of the government fleet?

The current usage of the government fleet has been vulgarized. It is ridiculous and wasteful to give officers living within Kampala fuel guzzlers above 3000cc costing the same as a small constituency’s hospital ($100,000 – Toyota VX).

Principal officers residing within Kampala don’t need these cars. It is vulgar to find not less than 15 of the same type of vehicles parked at several ministry offices. The fleet is making the government hated, it is creating a rift between the haves
and have-nots.

It doesn’t make sense to spend approximately $200 million on cars yearly. Departments like the police, prisons and the judiciary would use them constructively.

What is your alternative?

I think a car loan scheme is appropriate. You could then give these civil servants a token of discounted fuel if you are interested in motivating them further.

At least give them a housing mortgage scheme. It has worked in other countries. Shockingly, a country that people used to come to for bench-marking now visits other countries for bench-marking.

samuelmhindo@gmail.com