Exclusive Flashback! Today we go 14years down memory lane. Meet the dazzling Doreen Kayongo, Miss Makerere 2003. Grab a seat and forget your recent campus queens for a while, these guys had it all jam-packed with fans any campus queen would have wished to have. This bombshell that is currently building her career, prospering and having the time of her life in Canada gives us a snippet into her beautiful campus life.
How were your campus days like before and after being crowned Miss MUK?
Before Miss MUK I was a regular student, living the campus life, trying hard to attend all my classes (fail, giggles). After Miss MUK I really failed at everything school! (laughs), in my days the title was highly revered. I’m not sure about now but I was invited to just about anything and everything. I’m not sure if it was due to my platonic nature or dashing looks. It was great.
You are a daughter of a prominent man and you were a cool kid then, how did that play out for you?
Huh! Well luckily for me I had friends who didn’t care maybe because I was the happy girl, all that didn’t matter to me or them. I was treated equal and I treated everyone with respect and with the same amount of love. I guess that contributed to my Miss MUK success because half the university knew me as the loud, happy, free spirited girl. Not to brag but all the schools I attended were full of kids from prominent families, so it was never a biggie. All in all I was a happy child, best time of my life.
What crazy campus cultures did you indulge in during your time?
Campus nite paarree every day of the week at various clubs around the city and remember ladies were free to enter up until midnight. “Do those still exist?” she enthusiastically asks. My favorite was silk’s campus night every Tuesday. I remember I didn’t join my friends on the first few nights but on their first escapade they went with admission letters to show at the entrance as proof that they were campusers. (nostalgically laughs)
Were you a naughty campuser? If so, what was the craziest thing you ever did?
Nah! I wasn’t that naughty, I just had ordinary fun like the rest of them. Though back then, 99.9% of the students thought I was a boxer (Mary Stuart) when I actually was in CCE. I hated it. It was full of doffies and all the cool kids were in box (Mary Stuart). I lived and spent all my time in box and so I faked it till the end. Lumbox oyyee!
How were your typical fun days like?
Skipping class and spending days in room, listening to radio and holding dance competitions, waiting for sengas to knock on our doors and give us that sex talk. My best memory was of a ‘guy senga’ we got one time. He was hilarious with his advise, I can’t share it here but it made more sense coming from a guy.
Our time is a time for rolex, what was the hottest meal then?
Huh! The 3c’s they called it. Chips, chicken and coca cola. Wandegeya, that place has a lot of memories from eat outs and the drama, relationship issues were straightened out for all to see in wandegeya. (makes a hard laugh)
Are there any choices you made back then that you would reverse given the chance?
You don’t become Miss MUK and have any regrets. I loved it and still cherish the memories.
What coping mechanisms did you adapt in times of brokenness?
(giggles) well I came up with courses that were not part of the curriculum to fleece some money out of my muzeeyi. I insisted that these courses were offered privately and were beneficial for my future success like computer classes. Suffice to say I used that money to survive and until today I still suck at computers. (chortles)
Could you mention any one of the hip slangs you used back then?
Neshing to mean brokenness, or being low on funds.
Has the education system changed for the better? If so, what attributes can you point out that were a no show in your time?
I am not sure what’s happening on campus right now in terms of quality education and I do not want to speculate.
Can you mention some things that have changed about MUK that have disappointed you?
One thing that comes to my mind and this I know from the news is the number of student protests and lecturer protests. We never had those in my days. It’s also heart breaking how MUK has dropped in its overall ranking across Africa. What a shame!
Any advice to girls out there that want to make it in life like you?
Have I made it? Hahaha. Well I am comfortable , I can do better but all in God’s timing. My advice would be to never stop learning, place yourself in uncomfortable professional situations and you will learn to overcome your fears and in the process grow a winning attitude. And of course never stop dreaming and no job is a bad job. A few days back I had a house cleaner at my condo and we got talking only to find out that she is a manager in the federal Government here in Canada working in the office of women affairs. If I had that job I would never want for nothing but here she is pushing for more and I asked her why and she said she is planning to retire in the next 10 years and she wants to buy a retirement home in Florida. So there you go focus, work hard, pray and believe.
Any last words?
Bring back Miss MUK. I can buy and run it. I can do anything to have this university social culture going.
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