Flavia meets Kyle Gilbert Kimuli at Javas in Kamwokya. PHOTO BY ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE
She’s perhaps Uganda’s best export on the entertainment scene in recent years. She’s the first Ugandan to co-host Big Bother, the first to present on Channel O Africa and the first to co-host the continental Guinness Football challenge. She is also a presenter on Capital FM. Flavia Tumusiime met her fan at Café Javas in Kamwokya and the two discussed more than entertainment.
Hullo Flavia, it’s nice to finally meet you. Just been watching you on TV and listening to you on radio. How’s life?
Life is okay. What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Kyle Gilbert Kimuli. I’m a field agent at Ministry of Works.
Wow, that’s nice at least you have something you are doing.
Flavia, how does it feel working at Capital FM?
I would say it’s a nice experience for me and it’s more than just a job. Capital is like my family. They built a system where we are all close and there for each other. They are so understanding and helpful.
Why work for M-Net of all channels?
Well M-Net is very sophisticated and bigger than any channel I’ve ever worked for. They are so professional.
Tell me about your family?
I’ve always been dodging that question but to cut it short, I was born to Ms Christine Asiimwe and the late Enoch Tumusiime (RIP) and I’m the only daughter in our family.
Who is that one person you look up to?
I have quite a number for different things but I can point out a one Bonangwa from South Africa. She’s more like me. She went through what I went through to be one of Africa’s greatest.
Are you seeing anyone?
Yes. I’m dating but I’m in no position to expose him. We’ve been dating for a year and a half and he’s not Ugandan.
What’s your take on long distance relationships?
Besides the physical attachments, there is nothing more into it. I mean I’m busy all the time and so is he. We have limited time for each other. We meet once in a while and we are so fine with it.
How has the media journey been for you?
It hasn’t been easy. I started out at WBS TV’s Teens Club in 2002, we were some of the pioneer members, then joined Hot 100 in 2006. I joined Capital FM in the same year before I joined Channel O and Guinness Football Challenge in 2011.
You haven’t talked about your education background?
I went to St Theresa Kisubi for four years. I went to Kitante Secondary School for both my O and A-Level and then joined Mubs where I did International Business. Currently, I’m pursuing a course in Public Relations at Cavendish University.
Where do you think you’ll be in the next five years?
By then, I’ll be 30, but it’s only God to decide the future, but if I’m to get there, I want to have triplets so I will be done with having kids, a big house from my own sweat and probably a production house.
It seems you are quite busy, how’s your day like?
I get up at around 6am, prepare myself and do content for Channel O up to 9am. From 9am to 3pm, I’m on radio and from there I head on to campus for my studies. I fly out on Fridays and return on Sunday if we are filming for the Guinness Football challenge.
What are some of the challenges you are facing in this industry?
I won’t complain because everything is moving on smoothly but before, especially during my teen days, people used to undermine me by attaching skill to age and by that I mean, people never took my thoughts serious even if it was for the good of the company.
What incentives come out of being a celebrity?
I get nice treatment from people all the time, people have trust in you. It’s like whatever you say is the truth to them and you are always right. But the negative bit is that you get to sell your soul to the fans. You can’t take a decision without their knowledge. They place judgment on you all the time.
What is your religion?
I was born a Catholic but I’m now a Christian.
What’s your advice to us who want to be like you?
All I have to tell you is that passion comes first, you have to first like something before you go for it. Young people want to have fame before anything else, which is wrong and please never undermine any job. You’ll be surprised to find out what jobs those successful people out there first did.
You have achieved quite a lot yet you are still young. What’s the secret to your success?
Prayer, hard work and humility.
