The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
By Joan Akello
Dr. Sabrina Bakeera- Kitaka speaks to Joan Akello about children and globe-trotting
You wanted to be a newscaster, judge, an air hostess but you became a doctor!
But I think I am all of them, some people call me a celebrity and globe-trotting doctor and, I am a judge at home. If a man understands that the woman is the boss that is a perfect home.
Why pediatrics?
I wanted to save babies right from when I was a third year medical student. They make you laugh, happy and younger. I’ll be 43 but I still want to be able to talk to ten-year olds.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
On holiday with my family and no phones or internet.
When and where were you happiest?
Uncountable times but I was overjoyed on my honeymoon, that is 18 years ago, and our recent holiday in Seychelles.
What is your greatest fear?
Falling out of a plane. But I am not afraid to tell my patients that they will die because the fear of death is a bad fear.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience with service providers and losing my temper.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Deceit.
Which living person do you most admire?
Bill Gates has projected his philanthropic ways to the poorest of the poor.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Jewelry and Givenchy perfumes.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Honesty.
On what occasion do you lie?
Especially to 3 -5 year olds who ask where babies come from.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Nothing.
Which living person do you most despise?
One who is dishonest, not trustworthy, and disrespectful.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Dark, tall, lean hips, wide shoulders, six pack but with time it’s OK to accept the two- pack or the one pack but it is mainly kindness and trust.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Love. I encourage my girlfriends to love their spouses.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband; Engineer Andrew Kitaka. We met at campus and it was love at first sight.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I look at people dancing Tango, Salsa and I am jinxed.
What is your greatest achievement?
When you’re training as a doctor, you are expected either to become a clinician, researcher or teacher. I have achieved all three. I also mentor people to be pediatricians; It’s by God’s Grace that I have achieved all these.
I thought through Sabrina’s magic?
I do not like that part of Sabrina the witch, but I think my parents had run out of the S names. My father had seventeen children, five with my mum and we are all S.
Three secrets you can disclose?
My father was a prince from Kabaka Daudi Chwa’s clan and my royal name is Ssengabadda; in 1986 I run 100 metres in eleven seconds and I have been a size 12 for the last 18 years.
How do you do it?
I love my clothes so I must fit in them; I watch the amount of food I eat, exercise and make sure I fit in my changing dress.
You usually wear bright clothes, why?
I love joy, happiness and sunshine. Black and white is elegant but if I have a choice, I will be in pink and red.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A journalist.
Where would you most like to live?
Kampala, it has the best weather and its home.
What is your most treasured possession?
My iPhone.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Losing a patient I could have saved.
What do you most value in your friends?
Trust, I give you my secret, you should not become a research manager or media.
Who are your favorite writers?
Kyra Davis’ Deceptive Innocence and Winnie Davis’ Fantastic womanhood; every woman needs to read it and understand that being submissive is not a crime and being humble and cute is a plus.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Sabrina the witch, I’m lying. It is Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Mother Teresa; she was so caring.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Bill Clinton is very inspirational, and without bias Eng. Kitaka, Jennifer Musisi who are fixing new roads in Kampala.
What are your favorite names?
Sabrina, Andrew, Isaac, Trevor, Tracey, Timothy.
How would you like to die?
Quietly in my sleep in old age. I would like to play with my grandchildren.
What angers you?
Parents and caretakers who take sickness lightly.
But specialists are expensive?
Not really, I am free.
What is your motto?
If you feel good, you will look good and also never give up.
