I don’t believe in cheating â€" Prisons boss
DR. Johnson Byabashaija, the Commissioner General of Prisons, says Jenniffer, his Muganda wife of 15 years, measures up to the Bakiga stamina. However, he told <b>Sebidde Kiryowa</b> and <b>Pidson Kareire</b> that he would lock her up if she were sent to Luzira.
BYABASHAIJA
WHEN I finished University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine, I taught physics and mathematics at Lakeside College, Luzira where Jenniffer’s mother was a member of the board.
I was also staying with my aunt who knew Jennifer’s family. I left to join Prisons service in 1983 and in June 1984, I got a scholarship to do a masters degree in poultry science in the UK. When I returned in 1986, I was posted to Kigo Prison Hatchery.
But I first went to my aunt’s place and saw Jenniffer again. She had grown and was in S.5 at Nabbingo S.S. After her S.6 in 1987, she started visiting me in Kigo. We wedded in 1991. We now have four children — two boys and two girls.
And you have never cheated on her!
I have no mistress. I don’t believe in cheating. I am a disciplined fellow. I don’t go to nightclubs and I don’t drink alcohol.
She is a Muganda, you are a Mukiga. Does that cause any disharmony?
No; Apart from being my wife, Jennifer is also my friend. I’m proud of her because she speaks fluent Rukiga, mingles well with my people and sometimes, she goes to my village without me and manages just fine. Actually, before I married her, my father was not as supportive as my mother. But eventually, he got converted.
So your heart beats with Jenniffer’s?
When you have a wife who respects you, takes care of your interests and tries hard not to annoy you, it is hard not to be grateful. Even when I wake up very early, she packs lunch for me. I have the best, what more can I ask for? Sometimes when I am going out of the country, she accompanies me. In October, for example, I will be going to Canada. She will buy her own ticket using her money to escort me. They say Bakiga are hard working, but this is one Muganda whom I have found to measure up.
Tell me more!
I actually call her a horse. She is very hardworking. She runs our home. We built a poultry breeder and farm together. I started it in 1992 and by 2000, we had 10 poultry farms and today, we hatch up to 40,000 eggs. She manages all these. She even went back to school and acquired a degree in business administration.
What would you do if Jenniffer showed up at Luzira in a prison’s bus?
I would lock her up. Of course, I wouldn’t like it. My businesses would be in jeopardy. Although I wouldn’t try to influence her release, I would try to secure her bail through legal means. It is not good to have your loved one behind bars.
Do you help her with the cooking at home?
No! I don’t cook.
What about other domestic chores?
No, we have someone who does that. maybe some few things.
Do you consider yourself a good father?
I do. My children are the cornerstone of our marriage. I take time off with them and watch TV. But it is also a source of conflict. The boys want to watch Ki-nigeria. I watch BBC, CNN and animals on National Geographic and Discovery channels.
How do you stop yourself from behaving like a prison boss at home?
In prison, I use orders. I rarely do that at home. When you find me at home, I am a very amiable and simple person. I even interact with my workers on the farm. I put on an overall like they do and one wouldn’t know the difference between the workers and me.
Some countries allow conjugal rights between prisoners and their partners; would you support the same policy here?
We have not reached that level, but I would support the policy. However, the places you are referring to are called work release centres. Our prison system is still too rudimentary. But, under the new law we want to revive the parole system of releasing prisoners before their time for character change.
What is your view on legalising prostitution in Uganda?
I support it. Prostitutes are not dangerous to the public. However, there is a moral question there, but you know that whether it is legalised or not, prostitution will continue.
JENNIFFER
You were quite young when you met Dr. Byabashaija.
I was not exactly young; I was in S.5. Well, I knew him as a family friend first and associated with him because I thought it was interesting to associate with a learned fellow. I didn’t know that he had other things on his mind. He just said he wanted to be my friend.
What attracted you to him?
(Chuckles) He was a likable person — young, learned, handsome and friendly. He was also witty, enterprising and intelligent. And as we went on, I started liking him and I thought it was okay to have a boyfriend at that stage.
Did it matter to you that he was of a different tribe?
I didn’t think about it at the time. What mattered was how we felt about each other.
How does it feel being the wife of a man who imprisons people?
I feel secure. First of all, I know that people are rehabilitated in prison and I am proud of being the wife of the person who is at the helm of the process. I know there are people who think it is odd that I am married to an askari.
Does it put you under pressure to do the right thing?
Not really. You know, people go to prison because they have committed a crime. That is the work of the Police not the Prisons. But I try hard to avoid situations that could lead me to prison.
What do you consider to be his greatest weakness?
He is a bit of a perfectionist. He always wants things done in a particular way. Secondly, he always says the truth whether it hurts or not. Some people don’t like it.
And his strengths?
I believe he is trustworthy at home and anywhere else. I do not know about many wives who can say that of their husbands. He also seems to have solutions for any problem. He is one person who cannot fail to help.
How hard was it learning to speak Rukiga?
It was not difficult at all. The fact that I loved him was inspiration enough.
Did you encounter any problems with your Bakiga in-laws?
Hmmm ... No. John always puts me first and his people know it. But they are also very easy to get along with.
What do you consider as the highest point of your marriage?
The evening of our wedding. He told me, “Jennifer, you are now my legally wedded wife.†Whenever something annoys me, I remember that phrase.
You have been married for 16 years. That is a long time. What is your secret?
The secret is being there for each other. John is a very busy person and he is on call 24 hours, but he is always there for me when I need him. We also respect each other.
WHEN I finished University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine, I taught physics and mathematics at Lakeside College, Luzira where Jenniffer’s mother was a member of the board.
I was also staying with my aunt who knew Jennifer’s family. I left to join Prisons service in 1983 and in June 1984, I got a scholarship to do a masters degree in poultry science in the UK. When I returned in 1986, I was posted to Kigo Prison Hatchery.
But I first went to my aunt’s place and saw Jenniffer again. She had grown and was in S.5 at Nabbingo S.S. After her S.6 in 1987, she started visiting me in Kigo. We wedded in 1991. We now have four children — two boys and two girls.
And you have never cheated on her!
I have no mistress. I don’t believe in cheating. I am a disciplined fellow. I don’t go to nightclubs and I don’t drink alcohol.
She is a Muganda, you are a Mukiga. Does that cause any disharmony?
No; Apart from being my wife, Jennifer is also my friend. I’m proud of her because she speaks fluent Rukiga, mingles well with my people and sometimes, she goes to my village without me and manages just fine. Actually, before I married her, my father was not as supportive as my mother. But eventually, he got converted.
So your heart beats with Jenniffer’s?
When you have a wife who respects you, takes care of your interests and tries hard not to annoy you, it is hard not to be grateful. Even when I wake up very early, she packs lunch for me. I have the best, what more can I ask for? Sometimes when I am going out of the country, she accompanies me. In October, for example, I will be going to Canada. She will buy her own ticket using her money to escort me. They say Bakiga are hard working, but this is one Muganda whom I have found to measure up.
Tell me more!
I actually call her a horse. She is very hardworking. She runs our home. We built a poultry breeder and farm together. I started it in 1992 and by 2000, we had 10 poultry farms and today, we hatch up to 40,000 eggs. She manages all these. She even went back to school and acquired a degree in business administration.
What would you do if Jenniffer showed up at Luzira in a prison’s bus?
I would lock her up. Of course, I wouldn’t like it. My businesses would be in jeopardy. Although I wouldn’t try to influence her release, I would try to secure her bail through legal means. It is not good to have your loved one behind bars.
Do you help her with the cooking at home?
No! I don’t cook.
What about other domestic chores?
No, we have someone who does that. maybe some few things.
Do you consider yourself a good father?
I do. My children are the cornerstone of our marriage. I take time off with them and watch TV. But it is also a source of conflict. The boys want to watch Ki-nigeria. I watch BBC, CNN and animals on National Geographic and Discovery channels.
How do you stop yourself from behaving like a prison boss at home?
In prison, I use orders. I rarely do that at home. When you find me at home, I am a very amiable and simple person. I even interact with my workers on the farm. I put on an overall like they do and one wouldn’t know the difference between the workers and me.
Some countries allow conjugal rights between prisoners and their partners; would you support the same policy here?
We have not reached that level, but I would support the policy. However, the places you are referring to are called work release centres. Our prison system is still too rudimentary. But, under the new law we want to revive the parole system of releasing prisoners before their time for character change.
What is your view on legalising prostitution in Uganda?
I support it. Prostitutes are not dangerous to the public. However, there is a moral question there, but you know that whether it is legalised or not, prostitution will continue.
JENNIFFER
You were quite young when you met Dr. Byabashaija.
I was not exactly young; I was in S.5. Well, I knew him as a family friend first and associated with him because I thought it was interesting to associate with a learned fellow. I didn’t know that he had other things on his mind. He just said he wanted to be my friend.
What attracted you to him?
(Chuckles) He was a likable person — young, learned, handsome and friendly. He was also witty, enterprising and intelligent. And as we went on, I started liking him and I thought it was okay to have a boyfriend at that stage.
Did it matter to you that he was of a different tribe?
I didn’t think about it at the time. What mattered was how we felt about each other.
How does it feel being the wife of a man who imprisons people?
I feel secure. First of all, I know that people are rehabilitated in prison and I am proud of being the wife of the person who is at the helm of the process. I know there are people who think it is odd that I am married to an askari.
Does it put you under pressure to do the right thing?
Not really. You know, people go to prison because they have committed a crime. That is the work of the Police not the Prisons. But I try hard to avoid situations that could lead me to prison.
What do you consider to be his greatest weakness?
He is a bit of a perfectionist. He always wants things done in a particular way. Secondly, he always says the truth whether it hurts or not. Some people don’t like it.
And his strengths?
I believe he is trustworthy at home and anywhere else. I do not know about many wives who can say that of their husbands. He also seems to have solutions for any problem. He is one person who cannot fail to help.
How hard was it learning to speak Rukiga?
It was not difficult at all. The fact that I loved him was inspiration enough.
Did you encounter any problems with your Bakiga in-laws?
Hmmm ... No. John always puts me first and his people know it. But they are also very easy to get along with.
What do you consider as the highest point of your marriage?
The evening of our wedding. He told me, “Jennifer, you are now my legally wedded wife.†Whenever something annoys me, I remember that phrase.
You have been married for 16 years. That is a long time. What is your secret?
The secret is being there for each other. John is a very busy person and he is on call 24 hours, but he is always there for me when I need him. We also respect each other.