Hello Prosper, tell Quick Talk about yourself.
I am Prosper Nkabiheebwa Mubangizi. I refer to myself as a policy enthusiast and development scholar. I am a Policy Advisor with the International Rescue Committee.
Where does your story start?
My story started 26 years ago in Nyakasharu town council, Rubirizi District. I am a product of two amazing teachers. I am a second-born in a family of four children. My father is Silver Nkabiheebwa Mubangizi, a secondary schoolteacher. My mother Fredian Asiimwe Mubangizi is a nursery schoolteacher.
Which schools did you attend?
I attended pre-primary and early parts of primary at All Saints Preparatory School, Nyakasharu, before joining St Mukasa Preparatory Seminary Mushanga, where I completed my Primary Seven. I did my O’level at St Francis Xavier Kitabi Minor Seminary.
I then joined St Mary’s Vocational School, Kyamuhunga for A’level. I proceeded to Makerere University for a degree in Social Work and Social Administration. I later joined Uganda Management Institute for a post-graduate diploma in Public Policy and a Master’s degree in Management Studies (Public Policy).
Man, you should be a Catholic priest somewhere…
I don’t think in my wildest of dreams, being a priest occupied much of it. I was in Mushanga Seminary because I was in pursuit of high-quality education. Mushanga was accessible and affordable. My elder brother was also at Mushanga.
I tended to follow him to whichever school he went. By the time I joined Kitabi seminary, I had erased all priestly dreams. I don’t think the priestly vocation was my calling. If anything, it is always said that multi vocati, pauci electi [Many are called, few are chosen].
Why then did you proceed to Kitabi?
Well, 97 per cent of P.7 candidates from Mushanga went to Kitabi for secondary school. I was assured of continuity and the comfort of being around people that I knew. Also, I always dreamt of being a lawyer like one of my good uncles who works with [Kampala Associated Advocates]. He had told me that for one to become a good lawyer, one needed to know Latin. Latin was only taught in seminaries.
What became of counsel Mubangizi, then?
For us believers, we plan but it is God that makes things happen. I had a stellar performance at S.6. When we went for the pre-entries, the requirement was 60 per cent for someone to pursue law on a government scholarship.
I don’t know what I scored but when the list came out, I had been admitted for Social Work and Social Administration (SWSA) on full government sponsorship. Sons of peasants like me don’t have the luxury to choose between dreams and availability. I went for what was available. That marked the end of counsel Mubangizi.
How did you deal with such a blow?
It was devastating because it was a dream I had purchased and pursued as a child. It affected me for the first two years at campus. I eventually overcame the blow. I don’t think being a lawyer is something I still dream of. I tend to turn whatever stones life has thrown at me into a castle. I classify myself as someone capable of turning hell into paradise.
I hear you! Where is Mrs. Mubangizi?
[Laughs] Many factors lead one into marriage. The stars of emotions and reason have to align. Marriage is a life decision one makes [plus, Quick Talk reminds himself, the guy is only 26 anyway!]
Is there someone?
There is a serious candidate. She is doing her graduate studies abroad. Maybe when she’s back…she will be knighted Mrs Mubangizi, God willing [laughs].
At 26 and you are a board member of Action Aid…
Yes. I was elated by the appointment, because Action Aid is an organization that gave me the first platform. Being appointed to provide overall strategic oversight to its operations and programs, I feel like a child who has matured and has been given an important role in the family.
Age is just a number. I have already achieved a lot professionally, academically, socially, etc. I think I am the youngest board member that Action Aid has had. I was a Policy Specialist for the biggest organization outside the UN at 25. I was the youngest specialist when I worked with World Vision. Sometimes we would be in rooms and I could notice the age disparities.
When I turned 25, I promised myself I wouldn’t classify myself as a young person anymore. I promised myself that I would leave the space reserved for me as a young person for other people.
You have risen first through the NGO world…
Indeed, God has been in charge. Before my graduation in 2019, I worked with the Center for Policy Analysis – a public policy and research thinktank. This somehow influenced my inclination towards policy work. From there, I got linked into parliamentary and youth work again as a Policy Analyst.
I was supporting the youth MPs. This contributed to my understanding of legislation in government processes and how advocacy works. This prepared me for bigger ambitions. This led me to World Vision International as a Policy and Advocacy Specialist. It is from there that I was propelled into my new job as a policy advisor for the International Rescue Committee [hmm, for Mubangizi, it is like the two Covid years never happened…]
Tell us more about your role now
We are implementing a $100 million five-year project called Play Matters in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. It is aimed at sparking lifelong learning for 800,000 refugee children. The project is a consortium led by International Rescue Committee with Plan International, War Child Holland, Innovations for Poverty Action, and Behavioral Insights Team.
We are integrating learning through play pedagogies and early childhood development into the formal education curriculum, policy, legal and budgetary frameworks, and teacher professional development.
Hmmm, for someone without children…
Of course! I am a good alumnus of Makerere University and our motto is, “We build for the future”. I am someone that has a great passion for children. I mainly work with youth and children. Even World Vision rotates around children. I would wish to create a world where if I were to have my child, they wouldn’t have to go through the vagaries that most children are exposed to at the moment.
Have you held any leadership position before?
I have been a student leader almost all my life. I have been a class monitor, a debate prefect, and finally a Head Prefect in High School. I unsuccessfully contested for GRC at Makerere University.
So, Mr Policy, what crazy things have you done for love?
[Laughs] I do crazy things because when I love, I love. One time, I gave her access to my phone, and she was answering texts on my behalf – including those that were flirting with me.
Who’s your favourite music artiste?
I am a connoisseur when it comes to Music. I am a great fan of classical music artistes like Andrea Bocelli. I love Nessun Dorma [None shall sleep] by Bocelli. It is a reminder that in life, we need to be awake and alert.
Is there a celebrity crush?
Cindy. I love her voice and confidence.
Which book are you reading?
Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga by Stephen Davis. I have not taken it back since I picked it up from a friend and do not intend to. I am a believer in the Classic Arabic saying that only a fool lends a book and only a worse fool returns it [okay…a good lesson to keep in mind.]
What crazy part of you don’t most people know?
Most people don’t know that I know most bars around Kampala and most bar attendants there know me [laughs].
Do you intend to run for an elective position?
Nope
I thought you would wish to implement your policies…
I have discovered that I am more technically adept. I would contribute from the technical angle rather than jump into the murky waters of politics.
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