Is This the Sega Igenge I Know?

Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

“In trying to build a company that lasts for a long time, it is important to understand not only the crucial role that leadership plays in influencing organizational innovation, but also the impact of gender on this innovation. Therefore, this study clearly shows that gender plays a major role in explaining incremental innovation, which is just one of the three dimensions of innovation.”

These are the concluding remarks from a master's degree research paper for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Tumaini University Iringa, section 6.2, page 98, from the year 2008. The research was titled “Transformational Leadership and Innovation: The Relevant Importance of Gender”, conducted by Sega Igenge, whom ‘Mwanakwetu’ knew.

The research notes that it was supervised by Ms. Kettie L. Chipeta, who was a lecturer at the university at that time.

In this research, Sega Igenge lists only two names, which is different from many scholars who usually list three names.

Moreover, in the acknowledgements section, Ms. Sega Igenge thanked several people, including her biological mother Martha Peter Igenge and her brothers Deogratias, Raymond, and Peter. She also went further to mention her sisters Maria, Salome, and Leah for encouraging her while she studied toward completing her degree in 2009.

My reader, please note that during this period when Sega Igenge was studying at this university, Mwanakwetu was also studying there. First, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, and later the same MBA degree that Ms. Sega Igenge studied.

My reader, let me go further: Mwanakwetu was also a member of the Academic Board of the University, representing the Student Government. Mwanakwetu served as Vice President of the Students Government from 2007 to early 2008. He even remembers this same Kettie L. Chipeta, who often served as Acting Dean, attending those meetings. At that time, the Vice Chancellor was Professor Niclous Bangu, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs was Professor Andolongwise Katule. All these professors were professors in the sciences.

My reader, you might ask: what is troubling Mwanakwetu today?

Recently, social media has been flooded with reports claiming that the brother of Humphrey Polepole, named Deogratias, was allegedly targeted for kidnapping in Sweden by a group of 15 people. It is claimed that this group was led by a woman identified by two names: Sega Igenge.

These claims were made by Recho Dangwa, who said the group met with Deogratias Polepole twice before fleeing.

Since this information came out, there has been silence. Mwanakwetu has not heard Sega Igenge herself say anything or deny involvement in these alleged wrongdoing activities.

Mwanakwetu remembers Sega Igenge from when they studied at Tumaini University Iringa, where they used to greet each other. At that time Mwanakwetu was a young man.

Sega Igenge lived very close to a woman who was the wife of a lecturer in the Journalism program. Sega Igenge and this woman were always together like twins, and Mwanakwetu used to joke that he saw ‘two twins.’

Mwanakwetu remembers this:

“Sega Igenge was a tall woman, well-built, dark-skinned, confident, and beautiful. I openly admit that I once teased her, but she was very strict. Later she said: ‘Makwega, you are now married—stop causing trouble. If you continue bothering me, I won’t hesitate to go to Tanga and tell your wife about your behavior.’”

That warning was like a whip for Mwanakwetu, and from that moment on he never disturbed Sega Igenge again.

So what is Mwanakwetu saying today?

Sega Igenge, wherever you are, please explain the truth about all these reports spreading around. Or is there another Sega Igenge?

Indeed, Sega Igenge—as I said—you have your relatives and friends, but there are also people like Mwanakwetu who have cared about you for a long time. These accusations about attempting to kidnap someone are serious; they can bring trouble to many others. It would be good to respond to the claims.

Truly, Sega Igenge, wherever you are, please answer this issue so that my heart may find peace.

After the statement from Recho Dangwa came out, I remembered these words. The first day I saw you at the university, I greeted you and asked for your phone number—you gave it to me. When I asked where you worked, you said you worked at a tourist hotel in Zanzibar. Or did you later move from that hotel in Zanzibar?

Here I also remember the words from the conclusion of your research:

“…it is important to understand not only the crucial role that leadership plays in influencing organizational innovation, but also the impact of gender on innovation…”

Sega Igenge, if it is true that even women are involved in such acts of kidnapping, this affects the reputation of women and might make people like Mwanakwetu afraid even to greet women.