Madam Theresa Matovu “Auntie Treasure”

Theresa Mary Nakiberu was born on October 24, 1933 in Villa Maria Masaka, to James Mmundu a Muluka Chief and Julian Nabossa. She is the second last born of 12 siblings and is currently the sole survivor. Reverend Father Charles Smith of The White Fathers Congregation baptized her as an infant at Villa Maria Cathedral and she is a staunch Catholic. She attended Bwanda Pre Primary and Primary schools in Masaka District. In 1946, Theresa joined Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga for her O level and A level. She then joined Namagunga Junior Teacher Training College for three years after which she taught English, Geography and History at Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga for two years. Her late sister Constance Nansubuga who is a British trained Senior Nurse, she sponsored her primary and secondary education, which were a springboard for her international scholarships. “Her big heart played a big role in shaping my career and family life.” In 1955, the then Protectorate Government in Uganda awarded her a scholarship to Salisbury/Wiltshire Teacher Training College in South England for one year. Upon her return to Uganda in 1956, the Buganda Government also awarded her a scholarship to study music at The London School of Music for three years. She specialized in classical music i.e. playing the piano; singing; composing songs and history of music. In 1963, she returned to Uganda with her family and began teaching at the Norman Godhino Primary School presently Buganda Road Primary School where she taught English, Geography and Music for six months. Theresa entered the world of media when she responded to an advert in the defunt newpapeer, Uganda Argus, for female TV news anchors at the now defunct Uganda Television (UTV) in 1964. At the time UTV was in Nakasero, next to All Saints Cathedral. She excelled at the interview and was given the job. She surpassed all expectations and after just six months, she was promoted to Television Producer of children’s programs, women’s programs, Sunday Song Time and Religious Programs making history as the first indigenous Ugandan female to hold this position. Popularly known as Auntie Treasure at UTV and by her television studio guests who included pupils and students, Theresa was instrumental in using the channel to curate and present content relevant to Ugandan audience at the time, His Royal Highness Kabaka Ronald Mutebi was among her child guests in the studio. As a woman in such a male dominated field, Theresa’s career was not without challenges, the 1966 and 1971 crises as well as the aftermath of the 1976 Operation Thunderbolt at Entebbe International Airport, all of which impacted UTV’s operations and presented her with daunting obstacle. There was a government directive not to mention Israel at all nor broadcast former presidents. During the 1966 and 1971 crises, she was required to have special permits that enabled us to travel to and from work at that time. She spent a lot of time censoring Christmas and Easter carols and domestic programs to ensure that Israel nor anything related to it and any other taboo topics like the former presidents did not appear in any transmission. She was a member of the team that was responsible for covering the historic visit of the late Pope Paul VI in 1969, the first pope to set foot in Africa and Uganda. It was the first internationally aired Ugandan television program. In addition she was in charge of covering the Anglican and Catholic centenary celebrations in 1977 and 1979 respectively. She worked closely with all levels of the Anglican and Catholic churches to make the celebrations a success and broadcast live across Uganda. In 1984 and 1987, she was promoted to Senior Television Producer and Chief Television Producer respectively, again breaking the record of holding these positions as the first indigenous Ugandan female. As the Chief Television Producer at UTV, she was a member of the team that was responsible for successfully covering the late Pope John Paul II’s visit across Uganda in 1993. She retired from civil service in 1993 having completed 29 successful years. On September 29 2013, the Namagunga Old Girls Association recognized her for 29 years of outstanding dedication and hard work at UTV. In recognition of her exceptional service, H.E Museveni awarded her with the Distinguished Order of Class Three Medal during the Labor Day celebrations on May 1 2012, unfortunately she did not receive the medal. To the upcoming female producers and television hosts Therese urges: “Set high standards in your personal life and career. Elevate the quality of your production in order to put Uganda on the map through high quality television productions.” Further, “Say no to corruption. Ugandans should work towards an environment where their grandchildren and future generations will thrive in”. In 1960, Theresa got married to her late beloved husband Lawrence Matovu (who was later to become the first indigenous Ugandan Chartered Accountant and Chartered Secretary, South of the Sahara) at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington in London. She is blessed with six children and eight grandchildren.It should be noted that in the early 2000’s, UTV was demolished and the Pearl of Africa Hotel was constructed where UTV formerly stood, a very heartbreaking experience for the pioneers of UTV.