Who is Busingye Rubanda-Mayonza alias Emmanuel Ahimbisibwe
Busingye Rubanda Mayonza is the current president of the student’s Pan African Frontier Waharakati Afrika. Our writer caught up with this self made proud African MAK student and culture enthusiast who took a different course of life right from high school.
Commencing with your name, what does Busingye Rubanda-Mayonza mean in your language?
I know its quite confusing why I go by these names but formerly I used to go by the names of Emmanuel Ahimbisibwe until when I got done with high school and changed the names legally to Busingye Rubanda- Mayonza meaning a person who can take up any challenge no matter the circumstances.
Why did you suddenly decide to legally change your names?
As a Pan Afrikanist, I believe there is always a story behind every name. And this story is always backed by a reason. With the inspiration I got from reading the history of Pan Afrikan icons like Chinua Achebe and Kiiza Besigye who changed their names to suit the African setting, I decided to change my names and adopt those of my Father’s. And by the way, the current naming system in Africa should be changed. (hahah just saying It got me thinking I am lucky to be called Mugabe)
Talking about Pan Africanism, for how long have you been living this kind of life and what inspired you to take it on?
I was born into this Pan African world years back at Ntare School in my F.5 between 2009-2011. Back then, I used to be referred to as “omwegi”(meaning a bookaholic) and I used to read a lot of history about Pan Afrikanism, African biographies and personalities despite being a scientist. Reading all this literature in my local language version nurtured me into the Pan Afrikanist I am now.
As a Pan Afrikanist, we would expect you to be pursing a related course. How come you are doing a Bachelors Degree in Human Nutrition?
My dream was always to be a doctor in fact that’s why I was referred to as a super student in high school offering Biology, Chemistry and Maths. Having read a lot of Nutrition literature too, I realized most of the people suffer from dietary related illnesses. Bearing in mind that “The doctor of the future shall not use drugs to treat people but use nutrition to cure and prevent diseases”, when I was offered The Human Nutrition course, I couldn’t resist since my dreams to be a doctor would still come true.
What is the link between Pan Africanism and Nutrition?
In Pan Africanism, we are encouraged to take on a plant based diet in fact even the Bible emphasizes it that God did not create us to eat animals. The proper African diet includes foods such as greens, avocado, vegetable salads (kachumbali) because a plant based diet opens blood vessels while a diet full of junk and animal foods gets the arteries clogged.
That sounds like you were born a vegetarian weren’t you?
Actually hmmm, I just adopted a vegetarian kind of diet in 2009 when I realized I could gain the same calories from a glass of milk same as from a glass full of beef. Even at Ntare, I wouldn’t take sugar, neither would I eat oily things and the school would provide bananas for my breakfast to alternate with the usual chapattis given to the rest of the students. Being a nutrition freak takes a lot of patience, commitment and faith.
How has your leadership journey been?
My journey into leadership was just a simple one. I always wanted to engage into politics so I started as a class representative a position I have held up to now. I have also been taking advantage of the numerous political dialogues at campus that’s how I came to be a candidate and later president Waharakati Afrika MAK chapter.
Being a nutrition freak and a Pan Afrikanist, is your campus life any different from that of the other students?
Waaaaaahhh (hits highest disagreement note) its no different just that I still take time off to read African literature which is so not fond of science students. I also rock African Fashion like Bitengye on a daily basis because I aim at supporting the African market otherwise I am just like any other student.
Where do you happen from while at campus?
I always hit the beach whenever I am stressed and want to have fun because scientifically, one’s blood pressure automatically lowers while at the beach. (I got shocked with the way this dude can relate situations medically)
Hmmmm hooking up! Whats your take on the cohabiting practice at campus?
There is nothing wrong with having a relationship at campus but cohabiting, its not right. Cohabiting is better when you are out of campus. (what could this Pan-Africanist be thinking? In ATS girls used to get married at 14 yrs…cohabiting is even at 20 hmm)
Do you even have a girlfriend? Hmmmm (2 minutes of thinking over the answer). Yeah I surely have one but not for public discussion ( you’re clever Bro, you don’t risk snatchers) I believe in arranged marriages so as soon as I am done with campus, I’ll start the arrangements with a customary marriage ceremony (his future is too bright, I might get blind while peeping there)
As Waharakati Afrika what word do you have for youths in the diaspora
I am encouraging fellow youths to preserve their culture and change their eating habits away from junk food. In fact if you cant pronounce it and if your grandmother cant recognize it, don’t eat it. (lets learn how to pronounce it as “pitta” and if you still call it pizza, hoohoo forget about it)
For more info about the Pan Afrikanist Frontier, check it out on fb @Waharakati Afrika and Twitter @waharakatAfrika
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