Why the Ssemambos keep firmly together
Mar 10, 2006
SHEM Ssemambo is the sales manager of Nile Breweries. Shem has been described as a man who tight-marks his wife, Grace Nambuusi, with whom they have three children, because they are always seen together at functions. He talked to <b>Pidson Kareire</b>.
Shem Ssemambo
SHEM Ssemambo is the sales manager of Nile Breweries. Shem has been described as a man who tight-marks his wife, Grace Nambuusi, with whom they have three children, because they are always seen together at functions. He talked to Pidson Kareire.
QUESTION: Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes, it is like going to a showroom to buy a car. What strikes you is what you buy. Actually, that is what happened to me. The first time I saw Grace marked the beginning of our relationship.
How did you get together?
I met Grace at Pal Supermarket in Entebbe when I was doing my supervision. I madly got attracted to her. However, she was not interested in me at first and I had to use someone who knew her to deliver my love messages. She later realised I was serious and started considering me.
You are described as a man who tight-marks his wife. Is it too much love or insecurity?
I don’t know if it is tight-marking, but I am not insecure. My job makes me stay out a lot and I always move with her so that she does not get bored and lonely at home. However, these days she stays at home when she wants to and it does not bother her.
What has kept your marriage going?
Care is one of the things that keep us together. There is a lot of sharing and communication in our relationship. We share money, ideas and secrets.
Have you ever risked anything for love?
Yes. I smuggled Grace out of boarding school and persuaded her to stay with me for two days. It never occurred to me that she could be expelled.
What kind of father are you?
I am a lovely father. My children like toys and I make sure I buy them. I make sure my children are morally upright; they must fear God and know their culture. They must balance culture with modernity. I am always away from my home for 18 hours a day. My children rarely see me, but I make sure I call them.
What is your happiest moment?
When I am going to church with my family or meeting our parents.
You have achieved great success. Do you feel lucky?
There is an element of luck in whatever I do. However, I have a natural drive to achieve success.
How many beers do you drink a day?
On average, I drink three beers. Drinking beer is not about numbers, but about quality time spent exchanging ideas. Beer helps many people socialise.
Would you punish your kid if you found them drinking Club Pilsner?
If they are below 18 years, I would certainly do something to save them from spoiling their future.
Are you happier now than when you were a bachelor?
Both lives have their bad and good experiences. But I am much happier now than when I was single. Marriage has made me a responsible and better man.
Grace Nambuusi
QUESTION: What attracted you to Ssemambo? His personality charmed me. He is a kind, caring, social and understanding man. Above all, Shem is always smart. What more would I expect from a man?
Are you a believer?
Yes, I go to church every Sunday and I encourage my children to be God-fearing.
At what age did you taste alcohol?
After I was 18 years. My father is a reverend so, there is no way I could drink at an earlier age.
Are you comfortable with Shem’s work schedule?
At first it was hard for me, but now I am used to it. We have studied each other and we are honest to each other.
They say Shem tight-marks you. Is it because of love or it is insecurity?
Shem loves me so much that he does not want to miss me when he is out. I think if he was tight-marking me, he would be checking my phone and asking me who called me, but he has never done it.
Don’t you feel bad or insecure when he stays out late on weekends?
No! He is honest. What disturbs people is that we are always together; we do it for love and not insecurity.
How do you feel about being in papers?
I used to be nervous, but now I am used and care less. I mind my business and the paparazzis do their business.
What do you like cooking for Shem?
Fresh fish, chicken luwombo with matooke and rice because that is what he loves most.
What do you do for a living?
I am still a student of Information Technology at Makerere University.
How do you relax?
I watch movies. I like Nigerian movies because they portray real life experiences.
What is your favourite drink?
Orange juice. I also drink a lot of water, at least four glasses of water a day.
Who is your role model?
Ruth Semambo, my mother in-law. She has such a unique character, she shows so much love, care and respect towards other people and she is hardworking and inspiring.
Do you find it hard to juggle motherhood and work?
It is very difficult for me to work and look after the kids. That is why I study in the evening. I do all the domestic work during day.
How much do you spend on hair per month?
About sh120,000.
What item dominates your fridge at home?
Fruits, juice and water. There is no beer at home because Shem does not drink at home.
Would you slap your child if you found them drinking Club Pilsner?
I would first explain the dangers of drinking at an early age before disciplining them. A slap would encourage them to rebel against me.
What is your favourite dress code?
I like shirts and trousers and gomesi for traditional functions.
SHEM Ssemambo is the sales manager of Nile Breweries. Shem has been described as a man who tight-marks his wife, Grace Nambuusi, with whom they have three children, because they are always seen together at functions. He talked to Pidson Kareire.
QUESTION: Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes, it is like going to a showroom to buy a car. What strikes you is what you buy. Actually, that is what happened to me. The first time I saw Grace marked the beginning of our relationship.
How did you get together?
I met Grace at Pal Supermarket in Entebbe when I was doing my supervision. I madly got attracted to her. However, she was not interested in me at first and I had to use someone who knew her to deliver my love messages. She later realised I was serious and started considering me.
You are described as a man who tight-marks his wife. Is it too much love or insecurity?
I don’t know if it is tight-marking, but I am not insecure. My job makes me stay out a lot and I always move with her so that she does not get bored and lonely at home. However, these days she stays at home when she wants to and it does not bother her.
What has kept your marriage going?
Care is one of the things that keep us together. There is a lot of sharing and communication in our relationship. We share money, ideas and secrets.
Have you ever risked anything for love?
Yes. I smuggled Grace out of boarding school and persuaded her to stay with me for two days. It never occurred to me that she could be expelled.
What kind of father are you?
I am a lovely father. My children like toys and I make sure I buy them. I make sure my children are morally upright; they must fear God and know their culture. They must balance culture with modernity. I am always away from my home for 18 hours a day. My children rarely see me, but I make sure I call them.
What is your happiest moment?
When I am going to church with my family or meeting our parents.
You have achieved great success. Do you feel lucky?
There is an element of luck in whatever I do. However, I have a natural drive to achieve success.
How many beers do you drink a day?
On average, I drink three beers. Drinking beer is not about numbers, but about quality time spent exchanging ideas. Beer helps many people socialise.
Would you punish your kid if you found them drinking Club Pilsner?
If they are below 18 years, I would certainly do something to save them from spoiling their future.
Are you happier now than when you were a bachelor?
Both lives have their bad and good experiences. But I am much happier now than when I was single. Marriage has made me a responsible and better man.
Grace Nambuusi
QUESTION: What attracted you to Ssemambo? His personality charmed me. He is a kind, caring, social and understanding man. Above all, Shem is always smart. What more would I expect from a man?
Are you a believer?
Yes, I go to church every Sunday and I encourage my children to be God-fearing.
At what age did you taste alcohol?
After I was 18 years. My father is a reverend so, there is no way I could drink at an earlier age.
Are you comfortable with Shem’s work schedule?
At first it was hard for me, but now I am used to it. We have studied each other and we are honest to each other.
They say Shem tight-marks you. Is it because of love or it is insecurity?
Shem loves me so much that he does not want to miss me when he is out. I think if he was tight-marking me, he would be checking my phone and asking me who called me, but he has never done it.
Don’t you feel bad or insecure when he stays out late on weekends?
No! He is honest. What disturbs people is that we are always together; we do it for love and not insecurity.
How do you feel about being in papers?
I used to be nervous, but now I am used and care less. I mind my business and the paparazzis do their business.
What do you like cooking for Shem?
Fresh fish, chicken luwombo with matooke and rice because that is what he loves most.
What do you do for a living?
I am still a student of Information Technology at Makerere University.
How do you relax?
I watch movies. I like Nigerian movies because they portray real life experiences.
What is your favourite drink?
Orange juice. I also drink a lot of water, at least four glasses of water a day.
Who is your role model?
Ruth Semambo, my mother in-law. She has such a unique character, she shows so much love, care and respect towards other people and she is hardworking and inspiring.
Do you find it hard to juggle motherhood and work?
It is very difficult for me to work and look after the kids. That is why I study in the evening. I do all the domestic work during day.
How much do you spend on hair per month?
About sh120,000.
What item dominates your fridge at home?
Fruits, juice and water. There is no beer at home because Shem does not drink at home.
Would you slap your child if you found them drinking Club Pilsner?
I would first explain the dangers of drinking at an early age before disciplining them. A slap would encourage them to rebel against me.
What is your favourite dress code?
I like shirts and trousers and gomesi for traditional functions.