By Alex Gahima
The festive season always finds a way to bring out the best in most of us, doesn’t it?
If you ask me, I think my two cents on the matter would be that, majority of the working class people are on a break from the drudgery of everyday work giving them time, to let loose.
The other reason, which is far more sentimental than the first, is that more than 2000 years ago, a little baby boy called Jesus Christ was born in a manger in a place called Bethlehem.
His path already curved out from the get go, was to live for 33 years and die for all mankind, setting us all free from eternal bondage of hell because sinful nature.
If that doesn’t give you goose bumps, then I don’t know what will.
It is during this time of the year that couples all over the district and the country, heck in the world are eager to tie the knot and commit their lives to each other.
Before God, family and friends, Marriages are sealed with blessings, colorful dance moves, food, Music, drink and merry making.
This is however not to be for the Media man or Woman.
D.J Boaz Sunny Star of Voice of Muhabura says making the right choice is not as easy as people think.
“Being a media personality comes along with a certain level of celebrity status whether you like it or not. DJs often meet many ladies at the club, all whom seem to have the potential to be the ONE but committing to just one is not always easy, Boaz explained.
Farian Sabiti of Bibaye- Omufere show says Media personalities are social and very likeable people therefore they often get attention from the opposite sex.
“This attention especially from ladies makes one very comfortable. We often do not see the rush of choosing a single partner and yet the variety to choose from is overwhelming, Sabiti explained.
Investigative Journalist and Political analyst Joshua Niyonshima says many journalists leave campus with their minds fixed on doing a great job in the field.
“In pursuit of building your career as a journalist, you might commit more than 5 years working in the field, the experiences can be challenging mentally and physically also others prefer to return to school to upgrade before choosing to settle down and all this takes time”, Niyonshima explained.
Fiona Karungi, a news editor and Anchor says the job is quite demanding and potential suitors think and imagine that female journalists or presenters are players, which is not true.
“Sometimes we are required to work late into the night and most men cannot handle that, others think that because you are famous, you have many boyfriends but all this is wrong but it is our reality, Karungi said
Kate Atuzarirwe of Vision group says the public often has a wrong mindset about media practitioners thinking that they do not get married, others are alcoholics and womanizers but this is not completely true.
“We have so many role models, in Kisoro alone of journalists who are happily married and others across the country that have developed themselves after settling down, people need to change the way they think about media workers, Atuzarirwe noted.
Booze and Women in Media
Alex Byakatonda, a seasoned Journalist, News Editor and now Information officer for Kabale district Local Government says when he first joined media back in 2009; he witnessed firsthand the cultism of heavy drinking, Womanizing and reckless living among journalists.
“Back then, there was this crop of journalists who would meet every day after work to drink. This was no ordinary drinking because it was heavy, reckless and without any thought of tomorrow.
Byakatonda says he was perturbed by this kind of lifestyle because it seemed like a ritual or rite of passage for any journalist, however he recalls making a decision to do things differently.
“It was what we found happening by our forefathers in journalism and it was what was being passed on to us. I had to say no. Imagine a journalist of that time earning 500,000 Ugandan shillings could not afford to educate his children while a teacher earning the same, was educating his children and building a house”, Byakatonda said
Married now for seven years, Byakatonda says he had to leave media to do some other work because he was it was time to move. He now advises that the cultism of drinking and womanizing often tarnishes the great profession of Journalism which is noble work and helps bridge the gap between the Haves and Have nots, the Powerful and powerless.
“I am married now. I did not have to choose the best. I just had to make a decision and stand by it. That’s what it means to grow up and take responsibility, the bible says man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with one wife, it doesn’t say be joined with countless women, Byakatonda said
Breaking the Curse
Earlier this week, Voice of Muhabura Presenter and Senior Political analyst Gerrard Ngarama wedded his longtime partner Annah Nyirasafari at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gatete in Chahafi town council, Kisoro district.
Ngarama, a great orator and Masters of Ceremonies finally tied the knot, a feat that excited many, some of whom were praying for it to happen and critics who thought it impossible.
Today, 30th of December 2021, Mercy Ashaba of Voice of Muhabura committed her body and soul to Raymond at a beautiful church service held at St. Peter’s Cathedral Nyakatare- Kinkizi Diocese, Kanungu town council.
Am no fortune teller but if you ask me, the curse can only be broken by taking a deliberate decision and trusting God with all that you have, that you made the right choice, the rest will take care of itself.
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