My New Year’s resolution is...
Dec 31, 2009
MAKING new year resolutions can be a daunting task for some and an exciting one for others.
MAKING new year resolutions can be a daunting task for some and an exciting one for others. Joseph Ssemutooke sought the views of several people on their resolutions for 2010 and experiences in 2009 and reports.
SUDHIR RUPARELIA — BUSINESSMAN
In 2010, I want to ensure we keep expanding the banking, insurance and education sectors. We want to expand Kampala Parents’ School (on Lugogo Bypass). We particularly think we can play a big part in the education sector by generally contributing to the improvement of education in Uganda.
I would also like to improve the social standards of people wherever they are and spend more time with my family this year. 2009 has been very kind to me. I had a good year.
We successfully integrated Kabira International School into Kampala International School and launched it in September. Low points in 2009? (Laughs) My wife gave me a hard time whenever I didn’t spend enough time with the family.
SIKANDER LALANI – MD ROOFINGS LTD
My plan for 2010 is to restructure our company to make it more efficient in the face of the continuing effects of the global credit crunch. The credit crunch has not yet been really fixed. Last year, we won the president’s diamond award for best exporter and we would like to build on that and expand.
MUJIB KASULE — SPORTS PROPRIETOR
On a personal front, I want to make the holy pilligrimage to Mecca. With football, I want to have some of our proline players moving to professional ranks in Europe. The year 2009 brought its lowest moment when Nalubaale was expelled from the Super League after we had taken it over. The highest moment was when I won the battle to have it reinstated in the League.
JACKSON MAYANJA — ASSISTANT COACH, UGANDA CRANES
The year 2009 has been successful for Uganda’s football, especially with winning the CECAFA cup twice. I have also been well, alive and healthy with my family, so I am thankful to God for a good year. But for 2010, I want to see Uganda achieve something bigger in football. We want to be able to qualify for major tournaments like the next edition of the African Cup of Nations.
On that note, I would like to see everyone working han- in-hand with the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) to achieve that, other than leaving it all to FUFA and Mulindwa alone.
FRANK GASHUMBA — BUSINESS MAN
I have one major plan for 2010, to set up an international school that provides a wholesome education that emphasises the development of talents. I want it to be to the standard of international schools in Kenya and South Africa.
My target for 2009 was to set up a farm in Masaka, something I accomplished. My lowest moment was when Nabukeera’s mother said she wanted to be given the money we had collected to treat Nabukeera so that she could use it to build a house. I felt so unappreciated for my efforts. I was disappointed.
MIRIA MATEMBE — FEMINIST, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST
I really want to be much closer to God so that he can enable me have wisdom and discernment to know what I can do in this complicated situation in Uganda.
The foundation of the nation is collapsing without proper laws and order, breaking of morals, rampant corruption, etc. God says when the foundations are being destroyed, the righteous should get closer to him and since I am righteous by his grace, I want to be closer to him not to collapse with them.
NANDAALA MAFAABI — MP BUDADIRI
My ambition is to fight more and more for the rights of the poor, to bring all those stealing taxpayers’ money to book and break their evil systems. The poor have been cheated to an extent that they think of their human rights, like having good roads, as privileges.
I want them to understand further that as tax-payers, the people in government are answerable to them. It is something we have tried to do in 2009 and I am happy many have come to understand it.
JUSTICE JAMES OGOOLA — CHIEF JUSTICE
I do not really make resolutions in my life. However, if I were to make one, I think it would be to re-double my efforts in everything I do to work more smartly.
ARINAH “ZARI†HASSAN — SOCIALITE, ARTIST
I want to open an all-round style store for women and call it Zari H (after my sur name Hassan). It will sell items like hand bags, cosmetics clothes for women. On the artistic side, I am going to open up my own studio – Zari Entertainment Production. As far as my family is concerned, I think it is all good, no more children (laughs). I think I have enough (Zari has three sons).
NANDAALA MAFAABI — MP BUDADIRI
My ambition is to fight more and more for the rights of the poor, to bring all those stealing taxpayers’ money to book and break their evil systems. The poor have been cheated to an extent that they think of their human rights, like having good roads, as privileges.
I want them to understand further that as tax-payers, the people in government are answerable to them. It is something we have tried to do in 2009 and I am happy many have come to understand it.
JOHN NAGENDA — PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON MEDIA
I will give what I would love to see happening to the people as a whole, as it is more important than my own individual resolution. On which I want and hope to see the controversial homosexuality bill turning out fair to all people, taking into consideration the wishes of all people whether the majority or minority.
PASTOR DR. JOSEPH SSERWADDA —LEADER OF THE BORN-AGAIN FRATERNITY
As a leader, I am reaching for excellence and praying for purity and chastity in my personal conduct. I am exercising caution in every decision taken. I am seeking for clarity of ideas and speech. I shall honour my seniors and respect my juniors. So am I resolved, so it ought to be and so help me God.
BETTY NAMBOOZE — DP SPOKESPERSON AND BUGANDA OFFICIAL
My ambition this year is to refocus
my struggle. We have exposed the
Government, but now there is nothing
more to expose. So I am going to focus
on building the opposition into a strong
block that people can trust. President
Museveni can be sure he is getting a
break from Nambooze’s criticism in
2010, but wrong elements in opposition
should beware of my whip.
MOWZEY RADIO (OF GOODLYFE CREW)
I am going to do my very best in
everything I do and leave the rest to
God. My lowest points for 2009 were
when false news was published about
us by newspapers in the country. The high point was when we were mentioned among the men of the year
2009 by the media along side the president, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, Maj Gen. Kazini (RIP) among others. It was truly an honour.
MIKE MUKULA — NRM CHAIRPERSON, EASTERN REGION
I look forward to fight HIV/AIDS through spearheading voluntary testing and counseling among young people. I also look forward to publishing my book on corruption in Africa, which I am writing.
SUDHIR RUPARELIA — BUSINESSMAN
In 2010, I want to ensure we keep expanding the banking, insurance and education sectors. We want to expand Kampala Parents’ School (on Lugogo Bypass). We particularly think we can play a big part in the education sector by generally contributing to the improvement of education in Uganda.
I would also like to improve the social standards of people wherever they are and spend more time with my family this year. 2009 has been very kind to me. I had a good year.
We successfully integrated Kabira International School into Kampala International School and launched it in September. Low points in 2009? (Laughs) My wife gave me a hard time whenever I didn’t spend enough time with the family.
SIKANDER LALANI – MD ROOFINGS LTD
My plan for 2010 is to restructure our company to make it more efficient in the face of the continuing effects of the global credit crunch. The credit crunch has not yet been really fixed. Last year, we won the president’s diamond award for best exporter and we would like to build on that and expand.
MUJIB KASULE — SPORTS PROPRIETOR
On a personal front, I want to make the holy pilligrimage to Mecca. With football, I want to have some of our proline players moving to professional ranks in Europe. The year 2009 brought its lowest moment when Nalubaale was expelled from the Super League after we had taken it over. The highest moment was when I won the battle to have it reinstated in the League.
JACKSON MAYANJA — ASSISTANT COACH, UGANDA CRANES
The year 2009 has been successful for Uganda’s football, especially with winning the CECAFA cup twice. I have also been well, alive and healthy with my family, so I am thankful to God for a good year. But for 2010, I want to see Uganda achieve something bigger in football. We want to be able to qualify for major tournaments like the next edition of the African Cup of Nations.
On that note, I would like to see everyone working han- in-hand with the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) to achieve that, other than leaving it all to FUFA and Mulindwa alone.
FRANK GASHUMBA — BUSINESS MAN
I have one major plan for 2010, to set up an international school that provides a wholesome education that emphasises the development of talents. I want it to be to the standard of international schools in Kenya and South Africa.
My target for 2009 was to set up a farm in Masaka, something I accomplished. My lowest moment was when Nabukeera’s mother said she wanted to be given the money we had collected to treat Nabukeera so that she could use it to build a house. I felt so unappreciated for my efforts. I was disappointed.
MIRIA MATEMBE — FEMINIST, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST
I really want to be much closer to God so that he can enable me have wisdom and discernment to know what I can do in this complicated situation in Uganda.
The foundation of the nation is collapsing without proper laws and order, breaking of morals, rampant corruption, etc. God says when the foundations are being destroyed, the righteous should get closer to him and since I am righteous by his grace, I want to be closer to him not to collapse with them.
NANDAALA MAFAABI — MP BUDADIRI
My ambition is to fight more and more for the rights of the poor, to bring all those stealing taxpayers’ money to book and break their evil systems. The poor have been cheated to an extent that they think of their human rights, like having good roads, as privileges.
I want them to understand further that as tax-payers, the people in government are answerable to them. It is something we have tried to do in 2009 and I am happy many have come to understand it.
JUSTICE JAMES OGOOLA — CHIEF JUSTICE
I do not really make resolutions in my life. However, if I were to make one, I think it would be to re-double my efforts in everything I do to work more smartly.
ARINAH “ZARI†HASSAN — SOCIALITE, ARTIST
I want to open an all-round style store for women and call it Zari H (after my sur name Hassan). It will sell items like hand bags, cosmetics clothes for women. On the artistic side, I am going to open up my own studio – Zari Entertainment Production. As far as my family is concerned, I think it is all good, no more children (laughs). I think I have enough (Zari has three sons).
NANDAALA MAFAABI — MP BUDADIRI
My ambition is to fight more and more for the rights of the poor, to bring all those stealing taxpayers’ money to book and break their evil systems. The poor have been cheated to an extent that they think of their human rights, like having good roads, as privileges.
I want them to understand further that as tax-payers, the people in government are answerable to them. It is something we have tried to do in 2009 and I am happy many have come to understand it.
JOHN NAGENDA — PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON MEDIA
I will give what I would love to see happening to the people as a whole, as it is more important than my own individual resolution. On which I want and hope to see the controversial homosexuality bill turning out fair to all people, taking into consideration the wishes of all people whether the majority or minority.
PASTOR DR. JOSEPH SSERWADDA —LEADER OF THE BORN-AGAIN FRATERNITY
As a leader, I am reaching for excellence and praying for purity and chastity in my personal conduct. I am exercising caution in every decision taken. I am seeking for clarity of ideas and speech. I shall honour my seniors and respect my juniors. So am I resolved, so it ought to be and so help me God.
BETTY NAMBOOZE — DP SPOKESPERSON AND BUGANDA OFFICIAL
My ambition this year is to refocus
my struggle. We have exposed the
Government, but now there is nothing
more to expose. So I am going to focus
on building the opposition into a strong
block that people can trust. President
Museveni can be sure he is getting a
break from Nambooze’s criticism in
2010, but wrong elements in opposition
should beware of my whip.
MOWZEY RADIO (OF GOODLYFE CREW)
I am going to do my very best in
everything I do and leave the rest to
God. My lowest points for 2009 were
when false news was published about
us by newspapers in the country. The high point was when we were mentioned among the men of the year
2009 by the media along side the president, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, Maj Gen. Kazini (RIP) among others. It was truly an honour.
MIKE MUKULA — NRM CHAIRPERSON, EASTERN REGION
I look forward to fight HIV/AIDS through spearheading voluntary testing and counseling among young people. I also look forward to publishing my book on corruption in Africa, which I am writing.