The secret life of ....: Mary Gahonzire

Mary Gahonzire was born in Rwanda, 1962. She grew up in Uganda. In 1987, after graduating in university, Gahonzire applied and joined the police force in Uganda. She is now the Commissioner General in Rwanda’s police force. The first thing you do in the morning… I inspect the security of the country. What is your earliest memory? It was in 1977, when I was in my senior two. The school bursar came in my class and yelled, “Where is the other tall and black refugee?” He wanted to inform me that my sponsors had delayed to pay for my school fees. What kind of music would you listen to when you are relaxing? Probably all Christian music. If you have time to yourself… I swim. But with my mobile phone nearby. Your most valuable possession… My mobile. I would hate to lose it! If you could edit your past, what would you change? I believe change is done by teamwork. So, I would influence my workmates and key players to make positive changes to our society. What are your plans after retiring? I intend to continue to service my country, because I love what I’m doing. Whom would you invite to your dream dinner party? All old mothers and fathers who bore hardship of refugee life as a result of previous bad regimes country of this country. The idea here would be to pay tribute to them. What’s the most expensive thing you have bought recently? A pair of flat shoes, I love them. Normally, I don’t enjoy wearing high-heels. The closest you have come to death? It was in 1962, I was a little baby when our house was set on fire. Your most embarrassing moment? I joined secondary school in 1976 and it was my third day in the dinning hall. While at the school cafeteria, a friend accidentally pushed me and my plate broke in pieces, pouring all the food on the floor. I felt so embarrassed! When you were a little girl you used to play…. Boys’ games, like balancing the ball on my knee. I would compete with boys. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? To be patient and give time to everything. What do people complain about? That I’m so inquisitive. When I engage into a long conversation with my friends, they claim “You have now started the police thing.” What is you favourite colour? Unknowingly, I find myself liking cream, though I don’t think it’s my favourite. You feel happy when… I see people genuinely happy. To whom would you wish to say sorry to and why? Unconsciously, along the way in life we offend some people in one way or the other. But let me hope that no one thinks that I intend to hurt anyone. Can you tell us a secret? We are planning to recruit more women in the police force. And of recent we formed a gender desk in police to help and recruit Rwandan women. Contact: lindaonly2005@yahoo.com