My Valentine and I

Love and Romance are in the air. Everybody is caught up in the excitement and presents exchange hands. Sebidde Kiryowa talked to local celebrities about how they would spend Valentine's Day. Christine Mawadri, Capital FM D.J co-host Breakfast Show: Valentine's Day. Is it good or bad? It's a good thing because love is a positive thing. And as you know, Valentine's can be for anyone, mother, child and all. Best Valentine's ever? When I was two months pregnant, we went out of town (but I won't tell you where), booked into a nice hotel and were there for two full nights. It was really good. There was a pool, we swam, ate and met a lot of friends. That was undoubtedly my best Valentine's. Worst Valentine's ever? That was the time when people had just started celebrating Valentine's. My boyfriend then, (she emphasises that I strictly point out it's not her current boyfriend) didn't know what Valentine's Day was all about. He bored me stiff. At the end of the day, I just had to get up and say, 'Hey, boy. I have to go'. Ideal Valentine - partner? Someone considerate, especially given the kind of job I do. Someone extremely tolerant as well. Someone dependable. Favourite Love song? Kiss Of Life by Sade. I can sing that song very well. Besides, it is exactly how I would express my self to my loved one. But I am also so into jazz and New age classical. There's a chemistry in these songs. It's like meeting someone. Chris Ireland, Marketing Services Manager, Nile Breweries: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It's great. It should continue. It gives us a chance to think about our loved ones, and a chance to regenerate our own love for each other. Especially for lovers. And I guess all of us are lovers in one way or another. Best Valentine's ever? The day I left Uganda for Zambia. That was in 1993 on February 14. I didn't know what to expect in Zambia. I was going to run the marketing for Northern Breweries in Ndola, Zambia. It also turned out successful. I got a big raise in salary and met lots of good friends. Ideal Valentine - partner? Somebody who makes me laugh. Someone with a great sense of humour. Worst Valentine's ever? I have never had a bad one. Although there were times I didn't have a valentine at all and it felt lonely. Favourite Love song? Paint My Love by Michael Learns To Rock. It's really very meaningful that song. It means a lot to me. Alex Ndawula, Uganda's most popular radio presenter: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It's good. We all need to refocus our emotions for somebody special. Not necessarily a wife or girlfriend but anyone who means a lot to our lives. Best Valentine's ever? That was the first time I met my wife-to-be. It was a Valentine's Day about two years ago, remember? It was in the papers a few weeks ago. Worst Valentine's ever? I have no recollection of a bad Valentine's. No way. Ideal Valentine - partner? My wife-to-be. Favourite Love song? Ha! That one is hard. I can't tell you. I have so many. But well, let me see…there's Chaka Khan & Bruce Hornsby-Love Me Still. Hold on (leaves the phone to check out some records). For You I Will by Kenny Lattimore. Hope Mukasa, musician & proprietor Sabrina's Pub: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It's a good thing because that is when I renew my love for my wife. Every year, people's romantic feelings suddenly reawaken on Valentine's Day. I think it's good for people's relationships. Best Valentine's ever? It was a coincidence that I met my wife in this week of Valentine's back in February 1981. Valentine's Day that year still remains the best. Worst Valentine's ever? We have not celebrated Valentine's in about 10 years. We are always busy working on that day. True, we make the most money on Valentine's day in our pub but the business does not leave us much time together. We are always busy entertaining other lovers. Ideal Valentine - partner? My wife, Sheena. Favourite Love song? Now that is a bit hard. It's been a while since I paid attention to love songs. But I used to like Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye. It was a masterpiece of those days. Roger Mugisha a.k.a The Shadow, capital FM presenter: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It's a good thing. It should even be made a public holiday here in Uganda. We celebrate many things here, why not include love? It is very important because we all fall in love. It is the one thing we all have in common regardless of tribe, religion and political affiliation. Best Valentine's ever? That was 1999. Valentine's Day fell when I was enjoying a whole two weeks' break in Nile Hotel with my girlfriend Sharon, all expenses paid. It was one of those radio promotions during the period of transition from Sanyu to Capital FM. Worst Valentine's ever? In 1997 Valentine's Day found me lonely. Someone had stolen my Valentine. But the good thing is that it was during that time that I met Sharon. Ideal Valentine - partner? Someone who is interested in detail because I love detail. Favourite Love song? When You Say Nothing At All by Ronan Keating. That song speaks to me. I relate to it a lot. Charles Peter Mayiga, Buganda Minister for Youth and prominent lawyer: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It's a good thing because it is about love. Love is a virtue. Love can never be bad, although for us we celebrate it in an alien way, a foreign way. However, the basic thing is love. Best Valentine's ever? So far the best for me was in 1997 mainly because the concept of Valentine's Day was just setting in. It was a new thing and there was a lot of excitement. It was celebrated with feeling and vigour. It was such a departure from the ordinary and has remained lodged in my mind. I also got a present from my wife. Worst Valentine's ever? The time bombs went off on Valentine's Day. I knew the man who was killed in Kabalagala. It was such a pity he died while celebrating love. Ideal Valentine - partner? My wife. Favourite Love song? Stuck On You by Lionel Richie. I was at my romantic best while at the University and that song was the best song for lovers then. Jean Bageire, Public Relations Officer, Kampala Casino: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It is a good day, although I feel the meaning of the day has been distorted. It has been taken a step too far. People think it's about wearing red and black and sending roses only. It's more than that. I feel we got to do it not only to all people who mean something in our lives but also through out our relationships. Best Valentine's ever? That was 1998. It was very impromptu. I was taken by surprise. My better half took me away for the weekend. We relaxed all through. That was nice. Worst Valentine's ever? Oh, that was when I was five months pregnant. We forgot about valentine's completely. We didn't even go anywhere that day. I remembered later and asked him, 'so, what do we do today?' He was like: 'Ah! It is Valentine's. Is it?' He rushed and asked me whether we could go for a dinner or something. I said no, never mind. It was late. Ideal Valentine - partner? A soulmate. One with whom you understand each other and compromise. You're different but your minds meet. Favourite Love song? If I really had one, It would be Anita Baker's Sweet Love. Elvis Sekyanzi, Executive Director WBS-Club Silk: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It's a good cause. It happens once a year and it has a pretty interesting background. Best Valentine's ever? It is going to be this year's. I am going to make sure of it. Worst Valentine's ever? I don't have a worst Valentine's in mind. I don't think there is one on my record. Ideal Valentine - partner? My wife. Favourite Love song? Lady In Red by Chris Debarge. I don't know. I have no real particular attachment to it but I think it's a good song and I enjoy it. Chipper Adams, rally ace, owner Chipper's Ice Cream: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? I think what it is mainly, is a business that has become so big. The real thing has been lost. It's now all about people trying to sell ice cream, cards, and flowers. I don't think anybody knows what valentine's is really about anymore. Best Valentine's ever? I have nothing to say on that. I don't do much on that day except sell more ice cream. Worst valentine's ever? I don't even think about Valentine's. Ideal Valentine - partner? Somebody who is not very materialistic, down-to-earth, enjoys nature and likes adventure. Favourite love song? Don't Worry by Bob Marley Aga Sekalala, M.D Simba FM: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? Every celebration is a good idea. Some things require a little bit of celebration. Love is a good cause for celebration. Best Valentine's ever? There was a Valentine's Day when Embassy (a Cigarette brand manufactured by BAT) organised a candle-lit dinner in Muyonyo. I attended with my wife and it turned out superb. It was a very original idea and I loved that Valentine's. Worst Valentine's ever? I have never had a bad Valentine's Day Ideal Valentine - partner? My wife. Nobody but my wife. Favourite Love song? (Laughs) That's a hard question. I like most of the songs. I can't tell you now. Besides, I am a person who listens to African music. The likes of Njagala Dance. I rarely listen to love songs now days. Charles Senkubuge, Uganda's first dramatist to run for presidency: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? It is beautiful. It should be encouraged. We need more love in this country. The problem is that people talk a lot about violence. My father taught me that charity begins at home. If somebody loves their wife, they will love their neighbour and everybody else. The first thing I learnt from the bible was that love governs the world. That is what Valentine's is all about. In fact it should have been a public holiday for people to stay home and enjoy each other, send each flowers and so on. Best Valentine's ever? You know this a foreign culture that was introduced and encouraged by FM radio stations. My best Valentine's was in 1998. Things were just heating up then. My wife sent me a flower and something red. But I have a feeling this one will be the best. As Bakayimbira, we shall halt the current elections show Kagutema Bamwongere Ecupa and run Oluyimba lw'abagalana (The Lovers' Song) on Valentine's. Worst Valentine's ever? It was dreadful in 1998. A secret admirer sent flowers to my home, some to my wife. I was in big trouble. My wife was mad! Ideal Valentine - partner? My wife. Favourite Love song? Hello by Lionel Richie. I like that song because it is soothing, lush and the richness of the lyrics. Irene Ochwo, presenter Radio One: Valentine's Day, is it good or bad? I will be honest with you. It's just another day and excuse to spend money. For most people, it's about a special relationship. That's the trend it has taken, yet if you look at the history of Valentine's, it's almost a different thing. Best Valentine's ever? I have never celebrated it before. In fact half of the time the people who celebrate valentine's Day are either heart-broken or very much in love. It's one of the extremes. Worst Valentine's ever? None. Ideal Valentine - partner? My ideal partner is a secret. I don't share personal secrets with the rest of the world. Favourite Love song? I am not a love song person really. It doesn't really ring a bell (there's a lull. She laughs). See? I am even just thinking about it. Hmmm…maybe Baby Can I Hold You Tonight by Boyzone. John Katto, MD Access Communications, Former MD Sanyu FM Valentine's Day, is it Good or bad? It's a good thing. If nothing else, we remember our byanas as it were. We should, in fact, be doing it more regularly but we don't. Best Valentine's ever? Every Valentine's is a good one for me. Worst Valentine's ever? I have not had one that is bad yet. Ideal Valentine - partner? My wife Gladys. The only one I know. Favourite Love song? It is a song by Celine Dion. But I don't have a very good memory for songs, so I don't remember the title. Major General Jeje Odongo, Army Commander, UPDF: I would wish to get a wife on Valentine's Day (laughs heartily). There is nobody in mind at the moment or anybody I am looking at though. About how I will spend this day, I am most likely going to be busy with official duties, but if could afford, I would wish to go dancing. Sudhir Ruperelia, City Property Tycoon: On Valentine's I want to take my wife some flowers and take her out for dinner in the evening. We've been together for 24 years and I wish to make her happy. Anything to make her happy. Richard Mwami, Marketing Manager, Multichoice: I wish to have a romantic dinner with my wife. I cannot think of much beyond just spending quality time with my wife. Ends