By Sarah Achen Kibisi.
QN: Tell us about yourself?
ANS:
I am Honourable Margaret Rwabushaija Namubiru the Workers MP. From the beginning, I didn’t stand on the woman ticket but competed with men. I thank God the Almighty that I was able to make it as an MP. As a woman, I look behind where I came from, as a union and it’s on record of UNATU and family members that women can serve on different capacity for many years because they can serve diligently too. It was during interim, I was endorsed as the national chairperson after three years and contested and got another term and by God’s grace I was elected. When I was elected, I didn’t decide that I will be the deputy because its the workers to decide.
QN: People, who have interacted with you on different foras, especially workers want you back in 2026. What do you have to say?
ANS:
I mean what I say, when it’s a no, that’s my position. I can be trusted when I say something, I try to achieve it and this has won me friends who look at me as their role model. Whatever I do or have done, am what I am today because of the Grace of God I always put Him first. These values have made me able to defend what I aspire for. I love my people a lot and I want to see them happy and progressing in all aspects of life. Am passionate about them and will continue working with them.
QN: What are you working on that will help workers?
ANS:
As the workers representative, I have several running programs for the workers. I have built their capacity, supported some with financial help to start up small businesses, empowered women through trainings in different fields and happy to see them run small tasks to sustain their families. other areas include education support to some women and girls in addition to skills building among others projects.
QN: What are your acheivements in the last two years?
ANS:
I have built capacity of fellow women and many are running different businesses.
QN: Progress on the market bill. How will you ensure it’s implemented?
ANS:
I don’t want to talk about Market bill for now maybe at an appropriate time.
QN: Your comment on the in fights in the trade union
ANS:
It’s our prayer that these issues are resolved soon for the sake of the unions. Otherwise the unions are going on with their different roles as per their mandate.
QN: About the PDM, it targets those in the agricultural sector. How will urban dwellers benefit?
ANS:
As workers MPS, we have been carrying the same message that workers should embrace the program because this is a government program that will not only enable them supplement on their income but also protect them against poverty.
QN: What makes you tick?
ANS:
I can be trusted when I say something I mean it, I try to achieve what I have planned on doing and it’s important to note that whenever you do is not your special thing but putting God first is key. I can defend what I stand for and I have impacted on and am determined to support the women because it’s within government policy.
The NRM government has helped women to venture into different areas because in the past, a woman’s place was the kitchen. In life, there is nothing hard. You can accomplish any plan with proper planning. As a woman you can nurture your children while at the same time engaging in other activities like side incomes to supplement on family’s income.
QN: What can you say about women leadership?
ANS:
Women can be good leaders. Sadly when they contest for certain positions as vice or deputy, they face challenges along the way. I also had a lot of challenges and don’t blame anybody for it but I thank the Almighty for helping me overcome them. When there, always do the right thing and I have stood by my principles like that of sincerity.
QN: Why is it important to seek people’s expertise in imparting skills?
ANS:
We can learn from others and when opportunity knocks your door, have an open heart. Remember you don’t know it all, invite experts to help you learn and also share information with others through the way they will better themselves. Some people have phobia for learning, if you training in food processing invite knowledgeable people to skill. They may be lecturers or motivational speakers.
QN: What motivates you to support others?
ANS:
In my manifesto, I have a lot of plans for the workers. We need to start planning early about where you want to see yourself in some years to come as a person or union. I want to see more women in leadership, many being empowered and able to educate their children and sustain their families. I pledged to support unions and it’s what am currently doing so that we move and talk to find solutions to the problems we face. During COVID period, we helped unions to achieve their plans so that nobody fails or left behind.
QN: Share your life’s experience while in school and as a mother or leader
ANS:
As a mother, when I was in school, I used to encourage students and it turned lives of many into better persons. Never allow people discourage you from becoming what you want to become because it may change them. Never underestimate your potential. We have seen orphans leading big institutions or running NGOs.
QN: Any message to the women workers and women out there?
ANS:
I advise women to be empowered if you attained education, engage into something to earn money and people will respect you. We have read, heard or seen who have made in life yet they are orphans but leading big institutions, you too can be just like them. Always aim higher in whatever you do, if you want to become a lawyer, doctor or teacher, go for it. Women in the markets are a good example; they are working while engaging in other activities and educating their children, you too can juggle other small businesses to boost your income. I am still with the women in the unions and the sky is the limit because we have a lot of plans to achieve together If we move together.
QN: Your last words
ANS:
we should not fear challenges, through them we draw lessons and turn them into successes. When you have faced a challenge, you can find a solution for it through sharing with others and on how they overcame them can help you learn and go a long way to help you grow. I want to wish the women the very best and Happy women’s day 2023 remember it’s not about a man cooking food on that day but empowering them■
