1. SHAM TYRA (FASHION DESIGNER)

1. What does being powerful mean to you?

Being powerful means being in control of yourself and your mental health because I believe that having control and a clear mind determines how much you can achieve and how far you can go.

I also believe, being powerful means inspiring and empowering others positively and it’s a journey that never stops because every day we discover ourselves.

2. Do you consider yourself a powerful woman?

Absolutely yes, and every day I work towards growing myself mentally, spiritually, and financially to inspire others.

3. What did you dream of being when you were a little girl?

Have always loved being an independent inspiring woman in my industry.

4. Which woman do you admire the most?

My mum, selflessly and single-handedly raised two girls that turned out great.

5. What action or decision have you taken that you are most proud of?

Taking care of my mental health and my voice.

2. AYISHA NAGUDI (FORMAL BEAUTY QUEEN)

1.What does being powerful mean to you?

To me it means influence in the community, one that is looked up to, one that believes in positivity and gives hope to those that lost it.

2.Do you consider yourself a powerful woman?

Yes, because I cause a change in society, most young girls say: I want to be like you when I grow up, and that to me means being powerful

3. Have you ever been through an experience that made you realize that “woman” and “powerful” were two compatible ideas?

Yes, I realized women and power can occur together without a problem when I was seeking a political seat in parliament, and at the same time I was studying for my MBA, then the family was there. All these made me realize am a powerful woman!

4. What did you dream of being when you were a little girl?

Frankly speaking I wanted to be a President! Maybe one day I will be the 1st Female President of Uganda

5. Which woman do you admire the most?

I admire my paternal Aunt the most, she follows my late Dad, she took care of me from when I was 3months old, I remember we used to be many in a small house, and this taught me to share the little you have, taught me equality. She endured as a Teacher and educated all of us even though none was her biological child. I learned to Do good to others, and it's from there that good comes back to you. My Aunt will be retiring this month on the 13th, and I just want to say, Well-done!

6. What did you dream of becoming when you were younger?

A President, this was when I was 11. You never know, I could be one in the future, for now, am focusing on representing the people of Sironko District.

7. What action or decision have you taken that you are most proud of?

When I opened a Nursery school and, in each house, old in my village I have managed to educate a child for early childhood education to give them a strong foundation in Education

8. What are you most proud of doing?

Am proud of doing good to others without expecting something in return. I Am proud of my deeds, am proud of who I have become.

3. DOREEN KATUSIIME (PERMANENT SECRETARY,MIN OF TOURISM)

1. What does being powerful mean to you?

I don't like the word "powerful" and I don't think I am a powerful woman

2. Do you consider yourself a powerful woman?

I believe that I am privileged to be in a position to serve and that privilege started from being born to a father who understood the importance of educating his children. Both boys and girls

Without a good education, I wouldn't be where I am today

3. Have you ever been through an experience that made you realize that “woman” and “powerful” were two compatible ideas?

Almost daily, I go through experiences that exhibit the power of a woman (different from me being a powerful woman). A woman can multi-task, we juggle so many responsibilities in the workplaces and our homes, being wives and mothers and making sure we keep all this in balance

4. What did you dream of being when you were a little girl?

By the nature of my upbringing, I grew up without any big ambitions. I wanted to finish school, get posted to a good school as a teacher (I qualified as a teacher), get married, have children and serve the community

However, I had a mother who always encouraged me to aim for excellence in whatever I did and that has made me excel in the workplace

7. What action or decision have you taken that you are most proud of?

Though I wonder if I should be proud of rather grateful for the opportunities I've had which so many other women may not have had access to?

8. What are you most proud of doing?

Again, I do not like the word proud...I would say I've been blessed. from the family that I was born into the people who have mentored me and equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and attitude that enabled me to grow to the apex of my career as a Permanent Secretary. To the partner that I married and together, we've raised four children who are all adults and pursuing their own lives and dreams. I hope and pray that we've raised them to be good people who care for the people around them.

4. DAHLIN SANDRA (MEDIA PERSONALITY)

1. What does being powerful mean to you?

Being powerful to me means having the ability to

influence, motivate and inspire people.

2. Do you consider yourself a powerful woman?

Just as described above, I have been blessed with the ability to influence people's thoughts and feelings on how they perceive certain institutions like marriage through my weekly wedding show #YEWANGE which airs every Sunday at 03:00 pm on BBS TV Uganda. (terefayina)

I have inspired people to commit to marriage through my remarks on the institution. I am proud to say I have received testimonies from people who were inspired.

I have motivated people in my circle to stand up for themselves, to believe in who they are, to move on where necessary, to move the head up high regardless of the situations but above all, to remain in control of their own lives. I am a Wife, a Mother, a Business Woman, A TV personality, and a University student. Regardless, I have made it a point to stay decent and exemplary, hence being respected. YES, I am a powerful woman.

3. Have you ever been through an experience that made you realize that “woman” and “powerful” were two compatible ideas?

Oh Yes, there is a time I was going through a very rough phase of life. I had not slept for days and it was very hard to focus on anything. The same day, I had 3 traditional weddings in very distant places apart, I had a final exam at noon and my baby was admitted to hospital. To date, I can't believe I successfully handled it all without letting anyone see or know what I was going through.

4. What did you dream of being when you were a little girl?

When I was little, I dreamed of being a lawyer. The funny bit of it is I didn't even know what it meant to be a lawyer, I just chose one of the most praised careers in society. Hahahaa

5. Which woman do you admire the most?

On the fashion side, it's Tyra Banks. How she was raised from a low self-esteemed girl, bullied and body shamed by her own older brother and classmates, to a supermodel, face of international magazines, to landing juicy deals with beauty companies, creating her show, multitasking, and finally becoming a millionaire amazes me.

6. What action or decision have you taken that you are most proud of as a woman?

Given the fact that in Uganda, TV personalities are seen as Gold diggers who can never settle for one Man, my decision to get Married makes me proud because it proves such minds wrong.

To top it, my decision to become a Mother is one I will forever hold pride in.

5.RACHEAL K (MUSICIAN)

1. What does being powerful mean to you?

Knowing the person that I am. I feel like being your personas in standing out from the crowd, embracing your uniqueness and originality makes a person powerful. Nobody is ME and this is my power. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s important for us as women to not lose ourselves trying to be someone else. Never dim your light, always let it shine.

2. Do you consider yourself a powerful woman?

Yes, I do. I’m strong and I’m powerful and I come from a powerful woman. Who has taught me soo much?

3. Have you ever been through an experience that made you realize that “woman” and “powerful” were two compatible ideas?

No, not really. I feel they both balance each other out well. We women go through a lot in our own lives and we have overcome so much. Just being women, we experience negative and positive experiences, however, those experiences shape us into who we are. Becoming even more powerful.

4. What did you dream of being when you were a little girl?

Wow so much. I even wanted to be a Pediatrician at one point (children’s doctor) BUT being surrounded by a musical family that was in the entertainment and arts industry I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I started singing when I was 8 years old so that was always part of me. Entertainment work as in radio and tv presenting was always fun to do as well. But the music itself and being a musician were always number one.

5. Which woman do you admire the most?

My mom. Maama Halima Namakula. My number one supporter.

6. What action or decision have you taken that you are most proud of as a woman?

I think my independence. You know when you enter adulthood it’s easy to fear and want to stay with family “just a little longer” haha. But once I started to live on my own, travel, and meet people, that’s where I discovered my weaknesses that were turned into strengths. That’s where I was able to think and make the right decisions. I felt so proud of myself because I also got to discover who I am and fully embrace Rachel Kiwanuka.

6.NAKKU MARION MUSIMENTA ( MISS TOURISM BUGANDA)

1. What does being powerful mean to you?

It means having a positive impact on society.

2. Do you consider yourself a powerful woman?

Yes, I do

3. Have you ever been through an experience that made you realize that “woman” and “powerful” were two compatible ideas?

Yes, sure I have, not just once but a couple of times.

4. What did you dream of being when you were a little girl?

I dreamt about being that kind of inspirational woman that many will look up to and believe in themselves, not just because of their background, but because of their achievements and story lane.

5. Which woman do you admire the most?

My Mother! Princess Ndagire Immaculate

6. What action or decision have you taken that you are most proud of as a woman?

Being just who I am and not anyone else and keeping on being proud of how I am created, natural and beautiful in and out.