#KTNFaces: What you do not know about Joy Doreen Biira

By Poshia Musesya

We understand that Uganda is divided into different Kingdoms. Give us a brief history of these kingdoms and tell us which kingdom you belong to.

Uganda is a beautiful country that among other things preserves her cultural heritage. In 1966 Kingdoms were abolished by then President Milton Obote. When President Museveni took power he reinstated kingdoms one at a time. The Kingdom where I hail from is the latest of the reinstated kingdoms – Rwenzururu Kingdom in Western Uganda bordering D.R.C.

Seeing that you hail from a kingdom, are you a princess like Juliana?

By lineage, I’m not a royal. I’m an appointed ambassador of the Rwenzururu kingdom

 

How is life in Kenya different from life in Uganda?

Uganda and Kenya have got a lot in common but just like identical twins would have different interests, we are different in way of living. Aside from geographical variations, Uganda maybe takes culture to the extremes unlike Kenya. People are welcoming just like they’re here. However let me add that Ugandans love to party. Don’t get surprised when a Ugandan goes out every day of the week and still make it to work the next day. We are taught to celebrate our lives whether one is going through tough times.

What is the one thing that you love about Kenya and the one thing that you hate most about Kenya?
Uganda has got plenty of options when it comes to cuisine, something I found hard to adjust to when I moved to Kenya, which could be the only thing I have “beef” for Kenya on. I love Kenya because it is a fast growing country where I have been exposed to many opportunities besides the media work I do. It has opened doors for me to travel to different countries to speak on technology and the advocacy work I do

How was life as a child?

My childhood was fun. I grew up in an environment that had been occupied by Canadian and British nationals in Kilembe Mines (if you studied about copper mining in Uganda you could know better) in Western Uganda. The neighborhood was more of an English setting like we lived in a little extension of another world in Uganda.
My parents, four brothers and a sister brought me up. We are very close and we always look out for each other. I remember when I first joined primary school one of my cousins stole my writer. My big brother who was then in class seven walked into the class took it from him and gave it back to me. I was a naughty, curious but also a very artistic child. Did a lot of essay writing, reading, painting competitions, loved mechanical things including cars.

We understand that you did not study media in campus. What did you major in?

I have a degree in Bsc. Information technology from Makerere Univeristy.

If you did not study Journalism, where did your interest in media start?

My interest in media came from fascination of Rick Dees radio shows and a lot of what I watched on BBC when I was young. At the university I was given the option of a BSc. IT, which was my 3^rd choice course. I was excited at the thought of having to deal with computers and mobile communication, coding and marketing in the IT sector. However, (because of my fascination with communication), I had a microphone in my room that I used to train my voice with.

How was your first media experience?

During the second semester of my first year one of my friends asked me to accompany him to an audition. As I waited in the hallway looking at girls walking out of the audition room, I started to doubt my ability and thought that I could not handle the media industry. One of the producers came and asked me to join the audition and I refused. He insisted asking me to just go mention my name and walk out. I was called in two weeks later to start training. Joining the media industry is the best thing that has happened to me. I have grown to appreciate the power that lies in words, “I know I can be what I want to be. If I work hard in it, I’ll be where I want to be”

So, let’s get a bit personal. Any significant other in your life?
Well the significant other is very existent and in due time wedding bells are going to ring. It will be a very private affair with close family and friends though. (sorry)

Your hair has gone from long to short and natural. Tell us about the history behind your hair and why you decided to avoid weaves and hair extensions.

 I know where you’re going with this one. First I think that weaves are the best way to protect a girl’s hair especially in the media or else it will be damaged from salon heat and flat ironing. I have had weaves before too. The last stylist who did my “chemically modified” hair either left the chemical longer than was required or used the wrong relaxer altogether. My hair was damaged, and it lost its healthy thick body so I had no option but to shave it. I decided to go natural to allow my hair to grow back. I must add that I enjoy the natural look and the response so far on going natural has been appreciated just as much.

Who and what inspires you most?

God is my biggest inspiration. He created us, gave us talents and left us the choice to find our potential. We live in a world filled with opportunity, we just have to prepare ourselves for it when it comes knocking.

What inspires me is the fact that I am in the media industry, the urge to serve masses and make a difference in people’s lives is what moves me forward.

What is the one misconception that people have about you when they first meet you?
People think that I take life too seriously. Yes I do mean business but I also have a light side. You need to spend a few minutes with me to encounter the “goofy Joy”

This one is a random question. What do you plan to do on your next birthday?

My next birthday should be a significantly marked birthday. I will spend it with the people who make life worth smiling about. Will you help me be a part of it, for making me share all this with the world?

@joydoreenbiira