Kampala — SHE will speak her mind whatever, whenever and wherever, without mincing words. And it doesn't matter whom she's addressing, or referring to; as long as she feels the need to say something, she will say it. That is Jane Babiiha Alisemera for you. And it's her outspoken character that has won her popularity in Bundibugyo, where she represents women in Parliament.

That, plus the zeal to follow her words with actions, is the secret to her success as a politician. Once she sets out to do something, she will do it, regardless of the obstacles. She has proven time and again that she has the plight of women and children, particularly the girl child, at heart, by starting several development projects for the women in her district.

Alisemera is described by some as the lady with a sense of humour. Her admirers are also drawn by the fact that, though she belongs to the NRM ruling party, she is never shy to criticise her party or one of its members when she feels its going out of line. She is, however, careful not to tow the dangerous line that some have toyed and been labelled rebel NRM politicians.

The outspoken legislator never spares anyone when she sets out to attack. In one veiled comment, while responding to the Prime Minister's observation about poor health facilities, she wondered what the poor people in villages should do "if a premier with all the resources at his disposal can lament".

On another occasion, she attacked bishops and the President for encouraging people to have more children. "If the President wants a bigger population," she argued, "he has his reasons, but what people should know is that the President will not give their children food or shelter. It is up to couples to decide how many children they can look after. Don't they ask themselves, how many children the President has? Somebody has only four children, but has all the money he needs."

Some members of her party were not amused that she had dared to criticise a presidential stand, but they shouldn't have bothered. Alisemera being Alisemera, she just went on with her life, and uttered more statements as though she couldn't hurt a fly.

Her tough skin can be blamed on her profession. A nurse by training, the 50-year-old Alisemera took to politics with the tough and blunt approach that nurses usually employ when handling a woman in labour. She will call a spade a spade, and let her listeners react how they will.

Just recently, she surprised some people at Parliament when she wondered at the grabbing of Stephen Mujoroto by some Bagishu youth who then forcefully circumcised him. After expressing disbelief that a group of youth with tattered shirts could 'arrest' a smart old man and forcibly circumcise him on the street, she asked: "By the way, what is that the 'thing' was not doing that it will now do after being cut?"

Then in 2006, while debating the proposal to give Muslim men paternity leave four or more times a year in case all his four wives delivered in the same year, Alisemera assured one of the MPs who argued that it is impossible for a man to make all the four wives pregnant in one year that "that can be done in a day".

Described by her colleagues as co-operative and always willing to support fellow politicians, Alisemera is always on call whenever one of her colleagues needs backing. This involves accompanying fellow MPs as they tour or hold functions in their constituencies, and financially helping out when she can.

Compiled By Elizabeth Namazzi