MY LIFE MY GOAL AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

 

MY LIFE, MY GOAL.

BACKGROUND

My name is Monisak Benard Brian born on 29th June 1991 to Mr. Okide Charles(Kuku tribe) and Mrs. Mutesi Zalika Sarah Kyakuwaire(Musoga). My father is a peasant farmer whereas my mother is a stores keeper at Kakira Sugar Limited. I am a Kuku by tribe(Bekat clan) one of South Sudan's Bari speaking tribal dialects. My grand parents migrated due to the endless civil wars during their youthful age in search for refuge and employment opportunities. Way back interracting with my grand mother, i discovered that their historical trek of walking multiple miles in to the Pearl of Africa (Uganda) partially settles the mystery as to why i love running endurance events. I am the first born followed by 5 sibblings namely; Toroko Wani Denis, Yongule Collin, Isabirye Samson, Naigaga Rebecca and Ruth Bura. I was born and live in Wairaka(approximately 7km from Jinja town)  Kakira Town Council in a small village called "Kikuku" deriving it's name from the many kuku tribal inhabitants multiple years back. The village was renamed Namaziba of current. With more financially struggling natives surviving mostly on peasantry and subsistance farming to earn a living. The vice of alcoholism has greatly contributed to the death of many dreams of young people despite the good geograohical location of my native village. I am locally known as "Tabu" literally meaning distress owing to my worrying state at birth. Born a premature at only 7 months amidst untold scarcity of financial resources that propelled my Late beloved grand mother to incubate me at home using a charcoal stove warmth and luckily survived death.

STRENGTHS & TALENT DISCOVERY.

Amidst inadequacy and scarcity of resources home, i saw the need to grab any opportunity including the use of natural endowments to better life. Though faced inadequacy of basic needs, one of our strength as a family is wisdom and personally my ability to run long distances. Tracing back in my primary education as a very small and short boy, my only loved game during break and lunch time was only running. We played the famous game "police and the thief"; With peers like Elwana Mark & Bwaire Jessey where we had a huge mango tree in the school compound that we used as a police station. We then divided up some being the police officers and others remaining thieves. The magic here was the police officers had to chase the thieves one by one until all were arrested and brought under the mango tree(police station). It is so evident and notable that i had outstanding endurance levels being the last thief always to be arrested after several minutes of hard intensity running. Secondly i trace my talent from one of my untie's (Rosemary Juru Titi) running certificates way back on 1st July 1992 at Jinja Teacher's Colledge-Wanyange during the Intramural Athletic Competitions where she finished 2nd in the 3000m flat and 3rd in the 1500m respectively. Citing another reference, way back in 2005 still a fresh student in form 1; i ran the 10,000m at the inter-house athletic competitions Kakira Secondary school representing Elgon house where i finished 3rd barefoot with only 2 training weeks. I equally proceeded to represent Nile house in my 2 years of high school finishing top 5. Unfortunately, i always didn't suceed at the district competition level due to insufficient training and less focus on to athletics by my school! Later in 2012 as a fresher at Uganda Christian University, my long distance running hopes were rekindled under coach KABUYE TIMOTHY representing UCU at the 2014 University games coupled with the 2013 1st December All Africa University Cross Country championships, Entebbe Golf Course where i finish position 24th putting UCU in 3rd place overall. Uganda's world class "rabbit" Ronald Musagala won the race and the great Joshua Cheptegei settled for 3rd position(Bugema university). I ran the 5000m 2014 university games representing UCU still. Cheptegei Joshua set up the track ablaze that i finished so tired taking several minutes vomitting and uncomfortable. It's noted todate  that i never loved soccer owing to my very small sized  body that always left me knocked off to the ground by huge-tall peers whenever i tried playing.

EDUCATION

1). 2012-2015: Uganda Christian University Mukono, Bachelor of Business Administration(Accounting option)

2). 2009-2011: Kakira Secondary School, Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education(U.A.C.E)

3). 2005-2009: Kakira Secondary School, Uganda Certificate of Education(U.C.E)

4). 1998-2005: Nuvila Primary school(Wairaka)/Joy Primary school(wairaka), Primary Leaving Examinations(P.L.E).

5). 1998 below: Namirengo Nursery School.

My mother being a sole bread winner of the home and tuition provider, i was propelled to read harder finally being second best at my school in the national examinations(HEG/ENT-18points) . This shocking performance propelled my uncle Hon. David Zijjan(Pastor, MP- Butembe County, FDLM director and lawyer)  cater for my university education together with partners and stakeholders(Fathers Divine Love Ministries).

MARITAL STATUS

Single and still searching!

WORK TRAINING EXPERIENCE

1). 2nd January 2017 to June 2019: Warehouse Assistant at Olam Uganda Limited(coffee department) Namanve, Kampala.

2). 21st October 2015 to 2nd January 2017: Worked at Olam Uganda Limited as a Field Procurement Assistant in the districts of Mbale, Sironko, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Sheema, Bushenyi, Isingiro, Mbarara and Buhweju.

3). January 2013 to April 2013: Internship training at Mafubira Sub-County Headquarters(Jinja Local Government).

4). January 2013 to July 2013: Worked with Kakira Sugar Limited as a vocational trainee in the Audit section(sugar stores)  and finance department.

VISION:

To be the first elite distance runner in my lineage and family setting a legacy. In addition being a great national and international marathoner few years down the road.

PERSONAL BEST TIMES.

1). 10km road: 30:17:06-kenyan soil

2). 5km road: 14:55:08-Kenyan soil.

Due to the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, am just about to run the half marathon, 10,000m and 5000m and asess my fitness.

TARGET TRAINING & RACING DISCIPLINES/EVENTS

I hope to focus on the marathon few years from now but currently building up with more focus on half marathon, cross country, 10km road race and track(10,000m/5000m).

However reflecting back in 2017, my love for trails and ultra marathon running was born under an Aussie coach Ranae Cobley. Winning my first ever 50km Source of the Nile trail run challenge 2017 in Bujagali-Jinja by Activate Uganda(course record of 4:06:34:5. Also won the Mpanga forest 21km in Mpigi  and finishing 3rd at the 6hrs endurance run Entebbe Sailing club with 54km.

Current training location

Currently training from Kisii, Mochenwa under the mentorship of an experienced kenyan athlete sammy Nyokaye( friend and coach) with the aid of a Swedish coach Jan stensson & the Dancan System.Training at Mochenwa Training Camp and sponsored by my coach Sammy Nyokaye together with my sibblings(family). A few compassionate friends like Mr. Isaac Hiire and Mr. Kyeune Clive have stood with me financially and in other aspects. The nature of training is high altitude, group and full time training.

NATURE OF ATHLETE

I am an intermediate athlete working my way up to elite levels.

ROLE MODEL & MY INSPIRATION SOURCE TO START RUNNING.

Growing up as a young boy, i always admired and saw a village mate & long distance athlete called Africa training near our small village. So unfortunate that he gave up due to tight family commitments and responsibilities. Second is the 400m runner Waiswa Lukungu who put Kakira on the national map during his years of active running. And looking at the international running scene, the great Kenenisa Bekele is my role model with a small resemblance in physique. He keeps me motivated to train harder and run like him.

VIEW MORE ABOUT BEKELE

VIEW LUKUNGU'S PROFILE

CHALLENGES

Way back, my greatest challenge was balancing academics and training. Equally balancing work and training for 4 years. Currently my greatest challenge is insufficiency of financial resources to boost training and cater for several training needs. Insults, mockeries and negativity from the society among many others.

DURATION OF TRAINING

3 years as a student athlete(Uganda Christian University-2012-2015). 4 years as a worker athlete(Olam Uganda Limited-21st October 2015 to 1st June 2019). And now 1 and ahalf years of full time professional training.

HOBBIES

Distance running, reading, triathlon(bicycle reading) and adventure(travelling).

MUSIC GENRE

Reggae music, Kiswahili & kiganda gospel music, country music and reggaeton.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Training harder to dominate the Ugandan long distance running scene few years down the road.

PERSONAL WEAKNESESS

A little talkative, principled, shy, sturbborn and short tempered.

RELIGIOUS & POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS.

Born again christian and a follower of the current ruling party.

 

LANGUAGES SPOKEN:

Mother tongue-Lusoga.

Other Languages- English, a little Kuku and Luganda and Kiswahili.

 

REFEREES:

1). MR. SAMMY DISMAS NYOKAYE(for athletics related)

My coach, friend and mentor at Mochenwa Training Camp-Kisii, Kenya.

Tel: +254713123235

 

2). MRS. MUTESI ZALIKA (for trust, honest and more life details).

Stores keeper (Kakira Sugar Limited)

P.O Box 121, Jinja

Tel: +256759224045

 

 

3). MR. DAVID ZIJJAN (for trust, honest and more life details).

Director at Fathers Divine Love Ministries.

Member of Parliament, Butembe county.

P.O Box 1719, Jinja

Tel: +256773850215

 

CONTACTS:

Email: monisakbenardbrian13@gmail.com

 

Telephone:

+256703877248-Watsap&calls in Uganda.

+256789460237-For calls in Uganda.

+254739572814-For calls in Kenya.

+254759394400- For Watsap in Kenya.

 

Facebook username:

Monisak Benard Brian

 

EDITORIAL.

ISAAC HANYIGA HIIRE.

+256783166522

hiireisaac@gmail.com