Interview by Susan Muyiyi<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13 September 2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kampala \u2014 ATUKI Turner<\/strong> is the Executive Director of MIFUMI, a Tororo-based NGO that protects women and children against violence and abuse. She told Susan Muyiyi<\/strong><\/em> about her life and organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you related to Tina Turner, the musician?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n No. Many people assume that we are related. In fact I even have a key holder with the inscription: “No, I am not Tina Turner”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What did people make of your decision to marry late in life?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Romance never featured early in my life. I was involved in one project after another and buried myself in novels. I also wrote plays. My friends and family said I should have been a man because I had so many ideas. Some didn’t think that I would ever get married.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When was your turning point?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I had no idea that advocating for a change in the cherished bride price custom would be so controversial. However, the resistance we faced made us fight harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before this experience, my life had been pretty normal. My fight against bride price was a wake up call. I did fear for my life at some point but reasoned that we will all die someday. I learnt to stand by what I believe in. Fortunately, the people of Tororo are beginning to see our point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are not advocating for the practice to be abolished. We are saying that the bride’s parents should not demand a hefty bride price. But a token of appreciation can be given. Can the value of a woman be measured in monetary terms?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did your husband pay dowry in order to marry you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n No. Before my father died, he never demanded for bride price when my sisters were getting married. When I introduced my husband to my family, it was considered a joke when one of my uncles asked about the cows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does growing older bother you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a time when it did. When I was in my 30s I wondered where my youth had gone. What had I done with it? You get to enjoy life more when growing older because there is less inhibition. I, for instance, take walks in the fields barefoot, something I couldn’t do when much younger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did you know that Turner was Mr. Right?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything felt nice when we met in Kenya. I was totally myself and he loved me without any reservations. He invited me for a lecture in Nairobi. The next day, he asked me out for a movie which we didn’t watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We talked the entire time the movie showed. We never looked back. It happened so naturally, I guess when you meet your soul mate, you just know. My husband is my best friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is there anything you would do differently if you had the opportunity?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I would have studied Education because I love imparting knowledge. I am a poet, scriptwriter, novelist and playwright. Through writing, I would have advocated for change in a gentle way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have written two novels – Mifumi’s on, my first, is about my dad and growing up during Idi Amin’s time. It is still being reviewed by Fountain Publishers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7 things about Atuki Turner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dancing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My friends and family used to call me a queen dancer because I used to hold it up on the dance floor alone. I love Tina Turner’s song, What’s Love Got To Do With It. Her story inspires me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Family<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I have one daughter: June. My plan was to have three children but that has not come to pass. For sometime, MIFUMI, the project, was the only baby I had. Family is everything to me. I realise how important it is as I grow older. I come from a close-knit family of 11 children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My mother and I are very close. I am the fourth born. Family defines stability. I am very proud of them. They inspire me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marriage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Women should get married when they are mature. It is not only about gliding down the aisle in a white gown with stars in your eyes but a venture one should be prepared for. First establish your own identity. But most importantly, make sure that you are economically independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before settling down, first pursue your career prospects. Bring something<\/p>\n\n\n\n to the marriage and not just the that fact that you are a woman. Your children will grow and eventually leave your home. Life shouldn’t become empty for a woman when that happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why I think that Abdul Mulaasi’s song, Contract, has a lot of truth in it. I have seen many women being divorced by their husbands and sent away emptyhanded. I think couples need<\/p>\n\n\n\n to sign a contract stating their expectations in the marriage, how they want to be treated and the responsibilities each party should fulfill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy Moments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of my happiest moments is when I am having a conversation with my friends. By the way, I have very few close friends. Besides that a good novel makes my day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sad Moments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeing children suffer. As a child, I witnessed my brothers suffer from sickle cell anemia. Otherwise, I am generally a happy person. I don’t allow sad moments to put me down for long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feminism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am a feminist, but that does not mean that I am a manhater. I believe that men and women are different, but have the same value as human beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matters of Faith<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When I was growing up, my ambition was to become a saint. I used pray every morning while at Mount St. Mary’s College, Namagunga. I cannot<\/p>\n\n\n\n deny the fact that God has had an influence upon my life.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n