Josephine Karungi – Newscaster, NTV

Josephine Karungi – Newscaster, NTV

Monday

Why does everybody think my working day lasts one hour – between 9:00pm and 10:00pm when I’m reading the news? This morning, when I told the cab driver to step on it, he smirked and said: “But nyabo Josephine, topapa, it’s only 8:10am. Even if I ran out of fuel, aba traffic stopped me for third party issues, had a puncture, the car broke down or we got caught up in an election procession, I am sure that I, Swaiibu, owa Nasana, can get you to work for 9:00pm. So nyabo, beera easy.”

Tuesday

There is something about being on TV. I have to look my best Monday through Friday. I put in a lot of effort as far as my appearance is concerned – hair, make up to what I wear. Yet the people who watch me, you all sit there probably picking your noses, not paying attention, or doing your FB and Twitter things. Then as soon as the news is over, you call to ask what was in the news. Hmm!

Wednesday

Ouch, I think I wore a not-studio-friendly bra today. Every time I move, my lapel microphone picks up the rustling noise the bra makes. So if you wondered why I looked all stiff on the news last night, now you know why. I am also wearing new killer heels. You just have to see them, so I have asked the cameraman to zoom in on them at the start of the news tomorrow.   

Thursday

This is not good. There is a dinner/cocktail going on in Serena conference centre next door to us and the smell of the samosas and meatballs is wafting into the studio. I don’t think Maurice (Mugisha) had lunch because his stomach rumbled throughout the news cast. Seeing I got no plot after the news, I might just crash the party. The Bouncers didn’t bounce me because they thought I was covering the function. By the way, did you see my killer new heels at the start of the broadcast?

Friday

Now check this chap. I am at Good African Coffee sampling Andrew Rugasira’s orange flavoured chocolates when this chap waltzes up and starts ripping into me. This is him: “I have called Fat Boy, Alex Ndawula, RS Elvis and Crystal and they allow me to send greetings to my darling Nassuna from Ku Biiri Stage on their shows. But you, I have written to you ten times but you don’t read out my greetings. You think NTV is the only television? Let me ask Rukh-Shana Namuyimba over at NBS.” Eh that was tight!

Saturday

Peeps, give me a break! When I am not at work, I don’t tend to follow the news, so when you see me in Nakumatt shopping, please don’t ask me what’s happening because I don’t know! Nor do I know when the next public holiday is. Another thing, it’s not me hosting the election presidential debate with Alan Kassujja but Nancy Kacungira. You with me?

Sunday

I went to a baptism luncheon that a friend threw for her daughter as Josephine Karungi and not as Josephine Karungi of NTV news. It was also attended by Amama Mbabazi. The MC, as soon as he saw me, he reached for the mic and started telling guests how the function is now going to be screened on NTV news and that they should give me their full cooperation if they were lucky enough to be singled out for an interview. He also reminded them that just because Mbabazi is present, it’s not the presidential election debate so they should not criticize the other candidates for not attending. WTF, is he for real?!