Former Miss Uganda 2008-09, Dorah Mwima participated in an exclusive Q&A interview with Howwe.biz. She tells everything you need to know about her, her husband Nader Barak(Managing Director Darling - Burundi), her work, her experience as miss Uganda 2008 -9, lifestyle and her charity organization.
Personal life:
HB: How would your best friend describe you?
Mwima : Kind, loyal, hardworking, go getter, selfless and down to earth
HB: How can you describe Nader Barrak? How many kids do you have together?
Mwima : Hmmm where do I even start…his very funny, protective, irritatingly intelligent lol, a loving father, husband and respectful man. He always keeps his word, if it’s a No it’s a NO if it’s a Yes it’s a YES! His straight forward like that… We are expecting our first child together very soon!
HB: In 2008, after winning Miss Uganda event, you complained of being abandoned by the organizers soon after you were crowned, what did it feel like and what made you keep your head high?
Mwima : The challenges I faced during my reign were many. But I usually prefer to give thanks than to complain! I believe everything happens for a reason and if everything was given to me on a silver plate I would have not worked this hard to accomplish what I have and met the people I have at such an early age. Even though I was not given the car that I was promised or taken well care of when I went to the Miss World competition by my managers. I was given a great opportunity to represent my country and have a platform in society which gave me an opportunity to build and use my name to achieve my dreams and goals. The challenges that I faced helped me build myself and brought me to where I am today. Yes, maybe it would have been better if I got the required support that was supposed to be given by those who were responsible but Hey, I am not regretting and have never regretted during my reign especially joining the competition it was worthwhile.
HB: Do you have any male celebrity crush in Uganda?
Mwima : Honestly I don’t!
HB: Which works are you busy doing at the moment?
Mwima : I have partnered with Girl Child Network Uganda under my Dorah Mwima Foundation in a Petition Campaign to appeal to the government to keep its promise made at the United Nation in 2000, to ensure all out-of-school children in Uganda gain their right to education before the end of 2015. The campaign is dubbed #UpForSchool. As a foundation we have pledged 2,015 signatures which we hope to have collected by the end of July 2015.
HB: How do want Ugandan to get involved in your works?
Mwima : Well, we are not asking for money or any kind of donations. All that we are asking for are signatures to help us reach our goal! I really wish Ugandans would be more passionate about such charitable efforts.
Work Life
HB: In a team environment, what role do you usually take on?
Mwima : I believe am a team leader and its clearly portrayed out in the works and events I have been involved in from the time I came to the limelight in 2008.
HB: How do you motivate others?
Mwima : It depends on the person and their needs. Some people are not motivated by money but by delegating more responsibilities and tasks thus they feel more trustworthy. You can’t forget the main motivation which is money wise. Usually we set targets and the motivation comes according to the target achieved.
HB: How do you handle criticism?
Mwima : Usually I face two kinds of critics. There are those baseless critics who come from people who just want to criticize just for the sake of gaining attention or because they are envious. Then, there are critics that come from those who truly love me and care about me, those last critics honestly get to me at first and make me uncomfortable. I usually feel bad and get angry about what has been said but after giving it some thought, I calm down and adjust my mind to what was being advised.
HB: If you had to compare how you take decisions, to which animal do you think you would be most similar too?
Mwima : That will be a Beaver… I avoid making hastily decisions; need lots of information before I make a decision
HB: What is your philosophy towards your work?
Mwima : It doesn’t really take much to help or be there for someone. Sometimes a smile, a hug, a mere chat can be more than enough. If I am capable of doing that then WHY NOT?
HB: What Kind of woman would you like to be.
Mwima : I want to be that kind of woman who inspires people…I want someone to look at me and say “Because of you as my role model I am who I am today and I never gave up…”
Social Life
HB: Do you like watching movies?
Mwima : Yes I do!
HB: What's your favorite movie, and character?
Mwima : I have three favorite movies: Confessions (Japan), The skin I live in (Spain) and Incendies(Canada) … The sick/ obsessed characters attract me in movies
HB: Women love to watch shirtless dudes with sexy bodies in movies, do you?
Mwima : Hihihi, honestly I don’t cause unfortunately I don’t like watching such kind of movies. I am a fan of thriller, horror, mystery and gore movies!!! Trust me there are never any shirtless men in such movies!!!
HB: Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Mwima : My mum that’s because she gave up so much in her life to be there for me and my siblings. She gave up her career to be a full time house wife and at the same time was there to home school me. She is a strong woman who not only inspires me but inspires many women in her community through being a Pastor.
HB: Which other celebrity, besides yourself, do you admire in Uganda?
Mwima : I have always admired Juliana Kanyomozi from day one… She probably doesn’t even remember donating the dress she wore when she was the first female Ugandan artist to win the PAM Awards in 2008 to my foundation. I still have that dress! She has been through a lot and I admire her strength as a woman.
HB: Which Ugandan Musician do you take time to listen to their music?
Mwima : I rarely take time off to listen to any specific Ugandan musician because I enjoy listening to them in general, I appreciate their hard work but I don’t have any specific favorite artist.
HB: What is your favourite fashion website?
Mwima : That will be an Instagram page called (allthingsfiery_atf), any woman on Instagram can relate to this page it has quite a lot of trendy fashion to look at and get inspired by
HB: Where do you see yourself in five years to come?
Mwima : In five years I see myself more grounded in my career as a Interior Decorator, I still see myself helping my community through my foundation, family wise, I see myself baring 2 more kids.
HB: The worst moment you’ve ever experienced?
Mwima : Honestly the worst moment I have experienced was at the end of 2013. I had just got engaged to Nader and his ex-girlfriend who was so bitter with our union came up with all sorts of lies and malicious allegations that were written on print and social media. What was being said about me and my husband really wrecked me emotionally. What hurt more was the fact that I was running a very successful cancer awareness campaign and instead of receiving more positive mileage from some media houses for what I was doing they chose to focus on fabricated lies coming from a jealous woman to entertain and sell.
HB: Uganda has countless models who have tussled for a long time but still failed to make it to the national level. What do think is still lacking in our modeling industry?
Mwima : We lack proper agencies, workshops, training and mileage for aspiring models. Honestly some girls think if they get to put on a pair of heels and walk on any kind of platform or runway they are models. It takes a lot more than that. Proper diet, training, a strict workout routine, catwalk practice and more are required. We have so much potential. Look at how far Aamito Queen and Akello Patricia have reached.
HB: You came in the limelight as Miss Uganda, where did you get the passion from?
Mwima : It might come out as cliché but I always knew that I will be “someone” in society. I never knew how or where, I loved fashion and trust me from an early age I wouldn’t miss watching the Miss World finals never knowing that one day I will stand on that very stage and represent my country. I believe that sometimes it takes one desire to turn into a passion and that’s what happened to me
HB: Rose Kabarangira, Namale Rachel, Nabikyu Justine. Do these names sound familiar?
Mwima : Of course they do!
HB: How?
Mwima : They were the women nominated for the September 2014 DIVA MUMZ makeover that was part of the Dorah Mwima Foundation initiative. Justine Nabikyu who got most votes was awarded winner with a fully paid makeover, a photo shoot and 200,00UGX to go into her food vending business.
HB: Why do you feel there is need to help other people? Are you getting anything in turn?
Mwima : Being that both of my parents were pastors, I was raised in an environment of community service, charity, loving and welcoming strangers. So when I was crowned Miss Uganda it was a true calling for me to use its platform to help others. I just didn’t want to be forgotten or move on in life without leaving a positive impact on my generation. There is nothing I get in return for what I do. The self recognition and knowing that I am leaving behind an exemplary legacy is enough.
HB: Tell us something about DIVA MUMZ.
Mwima : DIVA MUMZ is a Facebook page that I opened in April as a short term DMFU initiative. Its aim was to award working mothers with a fully paid makeover, photo shoot and 200,000UGX for their business. This was to show them that they are special and DIVA MUMZ (Devoted, Inspiring, Virtuous and Amazing mums).
HB: Are you funny?
Mwima : No
HB: Why so?
Mwima : I instead enjoy being around funny people who will crack up my ribs, read funny quotes or statement but I don’t think I am funny myself.
HB: Any last word you would like to leave for you fans?
Mwima : I thank you for your continued support. Sometimes when I feel like I am standing alone in this many of you come up to me and remind me of the love and support you have for me. I never and will never take it for granted!
Visit Dorah Mwima's website www.dmfuganda.com for more information about her charity organization.
