Kampala City Council Authority Executive Director Jennifer Musisi says if God told us the challenges we would meet in life, many would have preferred never to be born.
But as you go along, He helps you overcome and learn from them, Jennifer Musisi said during a live April interview on national television.
The high-profile beneficiary of President Museveni’s Shs 6 billion cash bonus was explaining why he suddenly accepted her renewed contract as KCCA boss despite initial regrets of working at the state institution.
“My motivation has never been money. I was making more money before I came to KCCA. I have lost so much money being in this job.” She said. “I cannot do anything other than this Job. I wake up at 3: 30 am… it is crazy. I have no time for the things I would want to do. I don’t know where people got it from that I get 46 million shillings with all sorts of benefits. I don’t. But even if i did, sometimes it is not worth it.”
Jennifer Musisi said she had a very detailed discussion with related authorities , pointing out why she was leaving and why she would consider staying.
She said what bothered her was leaving work she had started incomplete, “and perhaps look back and say; that could have been done better. I did not stay because of lack of opportunities. They were so many that I had.”
Jennifer Musisi told Simon Kasyate, host of popular morning TV show – Morning at NTV that her job has had such massive impact on her personal and family life.
“I’m naturally a very private person. I didn’t have any enemies. I had never been to court over any matter. I have not had anything thrown at me. [I have been a] leader from primary but have never had the kind of accusations, the court cases, lies – people just making you look bad.” She said.
That aside, Jennifer Musisi said she has had a record number of personal death threats, yet with minimal mediation and follow up from security organs.
“I have had record number of death threats.” She lamented, quickly noting that it is part of the [job] package.
“They come by all means, by phone through texts, on radio – someone goes on public media and asks people to shoot you. And no one among authorities takes action. People buy a coffin with your name and carry it down the street and no one takes action. It is part of the package. I din’t ask for it but over the years I have learnt to put my trust in God because, that is the only way you can remain safe.”
In regard to conflict with Kampala Major Elias Lukwago, Jennifer Musisi said she is focused on accounting and aligning her technical team to which she is assigned.
“I do not have a personal relationship with the rest of the leaders, it is a legal relationship. They have a role, i have a role. You should call them and ask them. So fur, I’m focusing on my team, accounting for them and aligning them , disciplining them, setting programs, looking for money, accounting for it – making Kampala better for the people that use it. I’m not a politician and don’t want to go that direction…we will deliver as much as we can to the best of our efforts. We have made some mistakes in the past and are working to correct them.” She said.
Is she ruthless in the way she handles city dwellers and traders facing eviction?
“I challenge them to find out what has happened in that city to make it what it is. There is compliance, unity in direction, patriotism, a desire and love for their city and country. My mother was a disciplinarian. She was such a strict mother – sometime I thought she was my step mother. She never spared the road and often made me wake up at 6 am whether it was a Saturday or Sunday; just get out of bed and start thinking, she would say. She made me learn everything.
“That time I was in pain and grieved because I was missing out a lot of fun. Today, I’m so thankful to that lady. I wish she was here today to see where I am because of the discipline she installed in me. That is the same thing for Kampala. You have to break the eggs if you want the omelette. The people that shouted most about Bukoto-Kiira road are sending us all sorts of appreciation messages for that street. People have to be willing to pay bit of the price to get the good thing.” She said.
