{UAH} Robin Kisti: From Kampala socialite to proud US hustler
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Robin Kisti: From Kampala socialite to proud US hustler
- May 30, 2019
- Written by Yudaya Nangonzi
In 2015, ROBIN KISTI (real names Robinah Nambooze), the former NTV Login presenter, socialite and preferred MC at high-end functions, left Uganda to settle in the USA.
She coined her stage name Robin from Robinah and Kisti from her mother's name, Kisitu. The celebrated television star caught everyone's attention then with her American accent. While many critics dubbed her accent "forced and fake", she often said this motivated her to carry on with the show.
Now a mother of two, Robin has embarked on a new journey in the USA as a common hustler – call her 'nkuba-kyeyo'. Yet with her busy schedule abroad, she finds some time to make live videos of herself cleaning stores, offices and toilets.
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In a May 22, 2019 Facebook post, she wrote: "A piece of advice to those who just moved abroad or are planning on relocating: You didn't come on vacation! This is not Uganda!"
A few minutes later, she started a live video going into an office with her two children. The trio was not there to occupy a workstation, but to empty trash cans and clean toilets, among other chores. In the video, a makeup-free Robin still looking good in shorts and a T-shirt, said: "We don't do these jobs because we are failures, but it takes a grown-up person to appreciate what I am doing, lately. It's all about the end results, not how I make my money."
The Observer reached out to Robin online and she talked about the hard but comfortable lifestyle, children, family, life after Uganda, and more.
You've really changed! The short hair, no make-up… I see a completely new person online. Do you see that as well?
Yes, indeed I see this, but this is not a new me. It is who I have always been and it is not Robin Kisti but Robinah Nambooze. In life, we go through different phases and this phase is called growth and pursuit of my purpose.
Who then, is Robin Kisti?
Robin Kisti is a brand that was birthed at NTV Uganda with a debut Hot Steps, which then moved into the famous prime time show, NTV Login. The brand is still very much alive, but right now I'm just focusing on motherhood and self-discovery in order to get ready for the next phase of my life. Robin Kisti will be back and I am also interested in joining politics in support of the People Power movement led by my good friend and Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi.
Tell me about your family and education background.
I am from a family of five siblings (three girls and two boys). My mother is Christine Olivia Kisitu and dad Paul Sevume. I went to Buloba primary School, then attended S1 at St Joseph's Girls SS, Nsambya. After senior one, I moved to London where I attended the rest of my high school education and college. I lived in the UK for seven years and the rest of my family are still residents there.
I graduated from Pierce College in Washington State; I then joined Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois where I studied to graduate with a bachelor's in Fine Arts with Acting as my major. After Northern, I decided to move back to Uganda to pursue a career in media. This is where my journey at NTV started.
You stayed briefly though, and moved back to the USA? What prompted this decision?
I officially moved back to the USA in 2015 and my main reason was to be able to provide for my two children. The money I was making in Uganda was not satisfactory for the lifestyle we lived. As for Login, I miss my show very much and there is not a day that goes by where I don't think about my acting and TV career. I am working on producing my own TV shows as well for TV stations in Uganda.
Are you still involved in modeling, acting, entertainment, etc…?
Oh, yes! I still do all these on a low-scale here in the USA. I have a manager and also a good friend of mine Rachel Payne who is behind most of the projects. I have worked on Carolinas film festival where I hosted the red carpet in Charlotte.
Also, I hosted the red carpet at Miss All Natural beauty pageant also in Charlotte. I have taken on new business ventures such as promoting Ugandan music and artistes in clubs here in the USA.
I work with Maro particularly from Uganda and I was also the sponsor of his #Anjagalachallenge.
What exactly are you doing in the USA?
I currently work as a cleaner and have been blessed because my cleaning job is not like any other. I drive a company truck which makes maneuvering around the city much easier and I get to save on gas.
I also work in catering at Panera bread, a restaurant that also does outside catering. These are my two hustler jobs. I also work as a club promoter at a couple of African clubs here in Atlanta and also teach an African dance workout class to help women lose weight and also live a healthy lifestyle.
What has the change been like?
It hasn't been easy being back here with the kids, because it is a different ball game as a mum. I have had to work really hard to take care of us and also finding childcare that is not very expensive is almost impossible. However, on the up side, God has blessed me with different people in life who have helped me at different times, which helped me go out and work.
Take me through your day's activities…
My days are long and always packed with work. I typically wake up at 6am and work for a few hours, go back home and prepare lunch for the kids and feed them. I go back for my evening job at 6pm which goes up to midnight.
I see you upload inspirational videos of the different jobs you are engaged in, like cleaning toilets. I found this unusual for the Robin we knew in Uganda.
The Robin Kisti you saw in Uganda is a brand and she's completely different from Robinah Nambooze. Robinah Nambooze is a hustler and will do any job to take care of her family.
A very mature take on life; how old is Robin Kisti?
Robin Kisti is 33 years old.
What are some of the jobs that Ugandans in the USA are engaged in?
People do so many different jobs out here including taking care of the elderly which is the most common. People also do warehouse jobs where they help pack or unpack products in warehouses, some drive Uber which is also very common and others do jobs in line with their professions.
Most people take on two jobs just to make ends meet and it doesn't matter how educated you are, you will need that extra income to be able to pay all your bills. I would like to encourage all the people who intend to come [to the USA] to have a mindset that it's all about work, which should be the main purpose why we all move.
No one will hand you anything for free and even when you have family, you will still have to contribute financially because that is the order of the day. For those who are already here, I will only tell you to work harder and save your money for different investments back home because I believe we should all be able to work and make the dollars, take them back home and build our country in different sectors. Don't look down on jobs and don't fall for the hype of spending your money on expensive things just to impress the people back home.
Do you ever get any free time?
Yes, I do get some free time on the weekend and of course, that time is to spend with my kids, and also to cook food for the week. I don't have to cook every day for the sake of time.
Is there anything to miss about Uganda?
What I miss most is my job [at NTV]. I miss my family, friends and the food.
How old are the children?
I am a proud mother of two cuties. My son Romell just turned five and my girl Rochelle is three years old. Their father [Ibrahim Babangida] is currently in Uganda working in the media on different projects as a director and also camera and lighting technician. One of the shows you might be familiar with is Second Chance on NTV, which he worked on as the director of production.
"If I'm right, and I'm pretty sure I am," writes Dr. Epstein, Trump is capable of only a minimal level of analytical or critical thinking." (Photo: DonkeyHotey/flickr/cc)
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