Who is Cleopatra Koheirwe?
I am a young woman who loves family and God. I am a workaholic and a perfectionist of sorts. Haha! I love reading, listening to music, and watching movies/series. Career wise, I am an actress, writer, corporate emcee, and the Public Relations Manager at StarTimes DTV Uganda.
What was your first job, how much were you earning?
My first job did not really have a job title. I started working during my Senior Four vacation. I was in charge of the refreshments and snacks section at my guardians’ petrol station by then in Wandegeya. My uncle and aunt were teaching me the ropes of the working world. How to work, make money and save. I was excited! I was earning Shs100,000 a month.
We remember you from Obsessions, why did you choose to quit singing? You were actually among the first girls that quit the group?
I hate the word “quit” because it sounds final yet Obsessions have been and still are a part of my life. I meet people even now who remind me of when I was in the group and what they loved about us.
People tag me in our videos we did back in the day, even some deejay friends who loved our songs. In Kenya “Jangu” was a hit and they still play it. So Obsessions is with me even now.
This is why I prefer the term “resign” because it was a job and I gave in my official notice to the management which they accepted. I gave room for someone to come in and take my position in the group.
By the way, I was not the first girl to leave; it is just that the last five of us are the ones who became much more popular due to the music. Obsessions originally had more than 15 members, and prior to me joining the group, there were other six girls besides us who most people know.
I had been in the group for six years and a few months into 2007 and a lot was going on in my life. I was getting busier with my TV show then on WBS TV, a radio slot at Capital FM, working as a staff writer for African Woman Magazine and budding as a Film/TV actress after theatre; it was a little too much for me and something needed to change.
It was also not fair on the group that I would miss out on shows at times or be away for rehearsals so I made a decision to leave, but it was a bittersweet one. I loved Obsessions. We were an amazing professional performing group!
Tell us about your journey in the corporate world, how has it been and why did you stop singing?
I have always been a part of the corporate world, it is nothing new. I was always blending my entertainment into my corporate world so I guess I learnt to balance both worlds; one being ‘showbiz’, and the other being ‘too formal’.
I worked at Roofings Limited as a Trainee while in my Senior Six vacation, and later at Bancafe which was a very popular coffee place back then.
I worked at Poly Tanks Limited during my University days as a Sales Executive, as I balanced being a part of Obsessions. I later joined WBS TV for four years hosting shows such as Showtime Magazine which was a lifestyle/events show, a political show titled Meet Our Leaders, and my final show was Fitness Watch – a workout and health show.
I was the Operations Manager for a high-end club known as Skylux Lounge Ltd in Nairobi, Kenya in 2015/2016 and I was commended as one of the top entertainment club managers in SDE, Kenya. The list goes on but to cut it short, my work etiquette, networks, and experiences have led me to where I am now.
Singing is another story of its own but in a nutshell, I was pursuing a solo career which hit a snag (before it really kicked off) after I gave birth to my lovely daughter. For some strange reason, I did not feel like pursuing music anymore.
I chose to focus more on film, radio and writing. I have unreleased songs but wel, I moved on. Music is also a full-time job, you have to be fully invested in it to make it, and I had a lot on my plate – still do.
The last we checked, Cleopatra was part of Radiocity and before we knew it you were representing StarTimes. Why did you leave Radiocity?
Radiocity will forever be my family. I am still on the Whatsapp group. Haha! I may not be ON AIR right now but it does not mean that I “left” Radiocity. I cannot guarantee it. You might hear me on the airwaves like tomorrow. Haha! But seriously, StarTimes came at a time when I was looking for something extra to do. The only downside was that the position was full-time, something I had vowed not to do—sit in an office from early morning til 6pm, but hey—why not?! I had done it before so I was okay with doing it again. I adapt easily to change.
When did you start rising through the ranks?
“Rising through the ranks?” I do not really understand what you mean but I prefer to look at my journey as growth. With every step comes elevation to something higher.
How exactly did you come to your current rank as the Public Relations Manager StarTimes?
Strange but true, my Radiocity bosses told me about this job vacancy. They are such understanding bosses and they always try to see how to help elevate us or support us in our various talents and skills.
Had it not been for them, I would never have known about the job opportunity at StarTimes nor gone for the three interview screenings for the position. So again, it was a bittersweet move but I guess it was well-deserved and I am grateful to them for encouraging me to spread my wings further.
What are the greatest challenges you’ve encountered?
Rejection – but that is part of life. It toughens you up! I have applied for jobs that I did not get, done auditions for film/TV/stage roles that I did not get, and so on. You cannot always get what you want.
You will win some and lose some. I have learnt to persevere no matter what, never to give up, and to keep my eyes focused on what’s important for me and my family.
What are your future career plans?
I cannot tell you right now because I do not know what tomorrow holds. God is in control. All I am doing is working at having my own empire someday.
Who do you look up to in the corporate world?
Locally, I look up to my guardian uncle Dr. Asiimwe Rwekikiga, older brother to my deceased mom. He worked as a Director of Economic Monitoring at Internal Security Organization (ISO) years ago.
He is currently a senior advisor at Bank of Uganda, and also a board member at Civil Aviation Authority. He also owns a sausage business known as Frosty Fresh. He is a hardworking man. I have learned a lot from him and from observing his work ethic over the years. He is a no-nonsense man but kind too.
Internationally, I look up to Tyler Perry. I have loved his work since the times of Diary of a Mad Black Woman before he became so popular. He has become such a great success. His story is one of the ‘from rags to riches’ kind. His journey has been one of strife, rejection, resilience, hard work, prayer, patience, determination and perseverance.
Who knew he would be the first African-American to own and open the biggest Film studios in America?! He inspires me a lot and I hope to meet and work with him some day.
What motivates you in your work?
My daughter! I get up every day to do my best just so I can provide for her! She is my greatest motivator.
What books do you read?
I do not have as much time to read as I would love to but I like reading lots of books from motivational to self-help, fictional, business, and film. Right now I am reading one titled 20 Master Plots and how to build them by Ronald B. Tobias, and another I usually refer to titled Varieties of Writing by John Brown & David Jackson. I am also still reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson.
As a working mom, how do you balance work and family?
Honestly, it is not easy but I try. When I was working at Radiocity, my show was for five hours so I was always able to get home early but when I started working at StarTimes, I began getting home late like at 9pm due to traffic after work.
My daughter complained saying, “You come home late now mommy, you leave me sleeping and find me sleeping.” She would try to wait up for me at times. I had to make her understand that I was now with a new job and some things were bound to change.
She is slowly getting the hang of it. When I am free, I prefer to spend time with her and family. I treasure my Sundays nowadays because it is the only free day I have in a week. I get to rest from the work load.