Mama Mbire: 71 and still thinking big
She is the chairperson of the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs and mother of Charles Mbire, the chairman of MTN Uganda.
She is the chairperson of the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs and mother of Charles Mbire, the chairman of MTN Uganda. At 71, Tereza Mbire is still going strong and running her two businesses. She talked to Pidson Kareire. Excerpts.
How far did you go in school?
I have a diploma in hotel management from Tadmora Hotel in Israel. I also trained as a teacher at Kinyamasika Teachers’ College. I started my studies at Butare Primary School and went to Rushoroza Girls’ School for secondary education.
What were you doing in 1970s?
Up to 1973 I was in hotel management at Apollo Hotel (present Sheraton, Kampala Hotel). I was later transferred to Uganda Hotels, but resigned to do my business. I started a flower shop, Kampala Florist and later opened a garments industry called Pop-In industry before starting ‘Home Pride’ a bakery that was the first to introduce sliced bread in Uganda. I later went into interior designing business, which is still my business.
How long did you stay in Israel?
Only two years.
Did you meet late Posiano Mbire before going to Israel?
That is it.
How did you maintain the
relationship then?
He was a honest and faithful husband. We were already married and we had children. We both agreed that I should go for further studies. There was no problem since I stayed there for only two years.
How do you compare the courtship of your time to today’s?
I think ours was better. We had to abstain before marriage, which helped us to keep our Christian faith and maybe lead a faithful life in future.
What do you do for a living?
I still run businesses. I have Basix Shop at Garden City and Habitat Interiors on Plot 22, Entebbe Road.
Did Charles Mbire get riches from you?
Spare me. I am not comfortable discussing my children in the press.
Do you listen to Mama Mbire?
Yes I do and I like it very much, but I am too busy to listen to music all the time.
Did you ask for the song?
No. It was a gift from my son Charles Mbire when I celebrated my 70th birthday. He composed it according to what he felt about me. I just heard it for the first time at the party.
How do you feel when you hear children singing the song?
I first of all thank God for that because many people have no chance of listening to their eulogies, but I have heard mine while alive.
Old women do not eat
chicken, eggs and many other nutritious foods. What do you feed on?
Because of my age doctors stopped me from eating red meat. I eat chicken, fish, vegetables and other light foods. My breakfast contains tea, bread and assorted fruits.
What advice do you give to young women?
I have always advised them that they should not always want to be like men, but try to be better than our counterparts. They should also work hard, be committed to their jobs and know the value of time management.
Do you have a special seat in your church?
No. In the Catholic Church we believe that we are all equal in front of God. There is no need to pamper me.
Now that you have produced one of the top
citizens in this country, do you have a special advisory position in your home area?
I don’t have it, but whenever I go home, friends, relatives and admirers come for advice.
How many children do you have?
I have six children. Three girls and three boys. Four of them are graduates. I have 10
grandchildren.
Who is closer to you?
They are all close to me. Every parent has a special love for each child.
Do you have any phobia?
I fear snakes and even my
children know that.
How do you relax?
I relax by taking a cup of tea. When I go home I watch TV and I like listening to news. I sometimes attend ceremonies when I’m invited. I’m a church-goer.
Do you exercise?
I do a lot of walking around my house. I cannot afford to go jogging because I fear I might break my legs or hands.
What is your favourite beauty product?
I use L’OREAL creams only.
Who is your favourite artiste?
Of course Juliana Kanyomozi. She has a good voice. Internationally, it is Jim Reeves because during our times he was the best and when he was killed we were heart-broken.
Do you wear bracelets?
I wear gold, but sometimes I wear traditional ones.
What would you ask God if you met Him today?
I would ask Him to keep me a place in heaven and then bless my family and my country.
Have you achieved all you wanted in life?
I have not achieved all, otherwise I wouldn’t be here working. If I was 30 years younger than I am today, I would have gone into bigger businesses and instead of the sky being the limit it would be my beginning. However, I thank God who has enabled me to do what I have managed to do.
How far did you go in school?
I have a diploma in hotel management from Tadmora Hotel in Israel. I also trained as a teacher at Kinyamasika Teachers’ College. I started my studies at Butare Primary School and went to Rushoroza Girls’ School for secondary education.
What were you doing in 1970s?
Up to 1973 I was in hotel management at Apollo Hotel (present Sheraton, Kampala Hotel). I was later transferred to Uganda Hotels, but resigned to do my business. I started a flower shop, Kampala Florist and later opened a garments industry called Pop-In industry before starting ‘Home Pride’ a bakery that was the first to introduce sliced bread in Uganda. I later went into interior designing business, which is still my business.
How long did you stay in Israel?
Only two years.
Did you meet late Posiano Mbire before going to Israel?
That is it.
How did you maintain the
relationship then?
He was a honest and faithful husband. We were already married and we had children. We both agreed that I should go for further studies. There was no problem since I stayed there for only two years.
How do you compare the courtship of your time to today’s?
I think ours was better. We had to abstain before marriage, which helped us to keep our Christian faith and maybe lead a faithful life in future.
What do you do for a living?
I still run businesses. I have Basix Shop at Garden City and Habitat Interiors on Plot 22, Entebbe Road.
Did Charles Mbire get riches from you?
Spare me. I am not comfortable discussing my children in the press.
Do you listen to Mama Mbire?
Yes I do and I like it very much, but I am too busy to listen to music all the time.
Did you ask for the song?
No. It was a gift from my son Charles Mbire when I celebrated my 70th birthday. He composed it according to what he felt about me. I just heard it for the first time at the party.
How do you feel when you hear children singing the song?
I first of all thank God for that because many people have no chance of listening to their eulogies, but I have heard mine while alive.
Old women do not eat
chicken, eggs and many other nutritious foods. What do you feed on?
Because of my age doctors stopped me from eating red meat. I eat chicken, fish, vegetables and other light foods. My breakfast contains tea, bread and assorted fruits.
What advice do you give to young women?
I have always advised them that they should not always want to be like men, but try to be better than our counterparts. They should also work hard, be committed to their jobs and know the value of time management.
Do you have a special seat in your church?
No. In the Catholic Church we believe that we are all equal in front of God. There is no need to pamper me.
Now that you have produced one of the top
citizens in this country, do you have a special advisory position in your home area?
I don’t have it, but whenever I go home, friends, relatives and admirers come for advice.
How many children do you have?
I have six children. Three girls and three boys. Four of them are graduates. I have 10
grandchildren.
Who is closer to you?
They are all close to me. Every parent has a special love for each child.
Do you have any phobia?
I fear snakes and even my
children know that.
How do you relax?
I relax by taking a cup of tea. When I go home I watch TV and I like listening to news. I sometimes attend ceremonies when I’m invited. I’m a church-goer.
Do you exercise?
I do a lot of walking around my house. I cannot afford to go jogging because I fear I might break my legs or hands.
What is your favourite beauty product?
I use L’OREAL creams only.
Who is your favourite artiste?
Of course Juliana Kanyomozi. She has a good voice. Internationally, it is Jim Reeves because during our times he was the best and when he was killed we were heart-broken.
Do you wear bracelets?
I wear gold, but sometimes I wear traditional ones.
What would you ask God if you met Him today?
I would ask Him to keep me a place in heaven and then bless my family and my country.
Have you achieved all you wanted in life?
I have not achieved all, otherwise I wouldn’t be here working. If I was 30 years younger than I am today, I would have gone into bigger businesses and instead of the sky being the limit it would be my beginning. However, I thank God who has enabled me to do what I have managed to do.