Simon Mugisha is the Information Officer at the Parliament of Uganda. Matooke Republic had a one on one with him.
Tell us about yourself
I am a friendly lad, laidback and focused. I will prefer to binge on series and movies on Netflix than party away in an outside setting. I feel safer indoors and I believe that is one thing that has kept me safe from the current pandemic. I like to encourage people and see them prosper.
When did you join the employed ranks?
I first got employed at a fast-food restaurant in my Senior Six vacation between late 2009 and mid-2010. It was a good experience learning how to earn money and plan for it, but most importantly, learning how to save.
How much were you earning?
I earned about Shs350,000 monthly at the time. It was a good salary for me as a vacist at that time. It taught me how to have enough to cater for my daily needs like transport and airtime, as well as have enough to save. It helped me start my campus time comfortably, besides support from my parents.
When did you start rising through the ranks?
Let me say it started with my internship at the National Broadcaster – Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC TV) in 2012, where I began to put my future career into practice. Two years later in 2014, I was formally employed and began earning for my expertise in the field of journalism; needless to say, that I continued to garner more experience in the field for the next three years.
I started as a news reporter, then picked up into the live studios where I was a tv newsreader for three years. In that time, I also became a sub-news editor for over a year and a half. I was privileged to be awarded the accolade for best news reporter at the Nile Basin Awards in 2017, beating competitors from broadcasting agencies in the Nile Basin countries.
How exactly did you come to your current rank?
I can say prayer and faith in God have been my biggest push. Second has even my hard work and efforts as well as being efficient in my work. The third is my zeal – enjoying my profession of journalism made my name a household one, and thus one of the stepping stones to my current employment, coupled with experience. I am currently employed at the Parliament of Uganda in the Communications office.
What are the greatest challenges you’ve encountered?
I haven’t faced challenges per se in my 10-year journey as a journalist. This is because I have done my work with love and zeal. I have never tried to base my work input on how much I am paid, but rather having the opportunity to do the work I have been given. I have always wanted to be a journalist and I can say by far, I have already achieved all I wanted to in my profession – but there’s always room for more.
What are your future career plans?
My future career plan is to extend my academic experience within the field of journalism; or any other related field. I also hope to grow in the ranks at my current employment and learn how to oversee and manage bigger teams. Having employment opportunities in international agencies within one’s field of work can also help to grow their expertise. Retiring in a lecture room while imparting my knowledge, experience, and expertise to the younger generation at the time, is something I can consider.
Who do you look up to in the career world?
My biggest mentor growing up was always the late Bbaale Francis (May his soul rest in Peace). I also currently look up to CNN newscaster Christian Amanpour.
What motivates you in your work?
I have a great bond with my workmates and supervisors and thus have helped me to deliver on my assignments ably. Teamwork is my biggest motivator. Having friendly and understanding supervisors at the workplace also goes a long way in encouraging an individual to ably deliver on what they have been assigned.
What books do you read?
I like to delve into sci-fi and fiction content. Motivational literature; as well as financial growth and planning literature will be found on my shelf.