What is very strange is that when the government of Amin was thrown out of
power, Okello used his office to hunt down almost every one that protected
him through that government, he arrested many Ugandans that to today no one
knows what happened to them. So that Okello has a more larger story to be
told than marching on a band.
Just on record.
EM
On the 49th
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Okiya, Richard
Peter (R.P.)
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 6:05 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: {UAH} Re: Okellos band abilities won him celebrity status
Yes! As little kids, we used to run to watch Okello's magic. Anyone, young
or old, who ever watched him, can never evr forget the Magic of this great
Ugandan son Okello.
Okellos band abilities won him celebrity status
Publish Date: Jun 12, 2012
· To mark 50 years of Ugandas independence, New Vision will, until
October 9, 2012, be publishing highlights of events and profiling
personalities who have shaped the history of this country. Today, JOEL
OGWANG looks at the life of VENANCIO OKELLO, one of the Uganda Polices
longest serving band masters, a brilliant musician Watching him toss his
magic band mace in the air, march forward, a kick using the back heel and
then grabbing it by the head without bothering to look up was what Venancio
Okello did best.
· Yet, for the veteran Uganda Police Force band maestro, it came
naturally. Okello was synonymous with the Police band that many wondered
whether it would survive after he retired.
He was extraordinarily gifted, says Victor Aceme, an 85-year old retired
Police offi cer. I may not see an entertainer like him again! Whenever the
band played the National Anthem, the crowds attention shifted from the
guests to the band.
People were always anxious to see Okello performing, says Ibn Ssenkumbi,
the Kampala Metropolitan Police publicist. I grew up admiring him.
Clad smartly in band garb, white gloves, black cap and matching shoes,
Okellos tall, lean frame and an ever smiling face made him to standout.
Needless to say, national ceremonies were incomplete without Okello as more
than half the crowd turned-up to see him, the crowds never got enough of
him.
Many who could not travel to the venue, stayed glued to their radios and
television sets. Josephine Kakooza, the Police bands music director and
band mistress, says Okello popularised the band.
He managed the band well. He donated his tactics and style of work to
the force, Kakooza said.
Indeed, in his trade, Okello endeared himself into the hearts and minds of
many children and adults alike, winning celebrity status, prizes and honour
in Uganda and Kenya.
For his 40 years of tossing the band mace, Okello only tumbled and missed
the drum stick once, during an African Nations Cup qualifier between the
Uganda Cranes and Zaire (now DR Congo) at Nakivubo stadium in 1971.
While Okello was a marvel at the Police band, Pangalasio Onek, a relative,
was the Uganda army parade head while Lt. Col. Martin Orech, a friend, was
the director of music in the army.
In 2002, then aged 78 years, Okello breathed his last at his home in Bwobo,
Nwoya county, Gulu just a few months after retiring from Looking at him do
those things that seemed easy, but many tried and a nationalist who was
loved by all those he interacted with SCOUL his admirers could only retain
memories of him.
Okello was never a gloomy man, says Cosmas Odomel, who was Inspector
General of Police when Okello led the Police band. He was a jolly man loved
in the Police and by the public.
Joins Kenya Police After retiring from the Kings African Rifl es in November
1952, Okello returned to Gulu, but just about that time, his long-time
friend and music director in the army, George William Watch, was transferred
to the Kenyan colony, under the Police. Watch told the Kenyan government of
Okellos talent, calling for his recruitment.
Soon, Kenyan scouts were dispatched to fi nd Okello, but because he had not
yet paid graduated tax, the visitors were mistaken for tax collectors and
told that Okello had left for Kampala a day earlier! It wasnt until the
visitors identified themselves, presented a letter from Watch and the Kenyan
government that Okello stepped forth.
The Kenya police band had just acquired new equipment and needed a highly
skilled band leader, so Okello would not have joined at a much opportune
time.
His skills and stylistic march were soon noticed in Kenya and before long,
he was the talk of the nation. Okellos diligent service led him to meeting
high-profi le government offi cials, like the late Kenyan president, Jomo
Kenyatta, who made sure he was present at every state function.
On Kenyas independence day, many leaders graced the Nairobi celebrations;
one of those in attendance was Ugandas premier, Apollo Milton Obote.
Okellos display left many visitors in awe.
Strangely, no Ugandan delegate knew the magician was a Ugandan! However,
during the parade, Kenyatta whispered to Obote that Okello was a Ugandan.
This prompted the Premier to start the return process for Okello.
Alex Ojera, who was a minister in the first administration of Obote was the
man tasked with bringing Okello back home, but attempts to lure the band
maestro back were futile. However, fi ve years on, the Kenyan government
bowed to pressure and persuaded Okello to return home.
With no option but to yield, the Kenyan government organised a grand
farewell party in Okellos honour, the event was graced by then vice
president Arap Moi.
First assignment
In 1968 during an International Labour Day celebration in Mbale, the army
band was due to perform until the eleventh hour when it was ordered to step
aside for the Police band. Okello entertained guests with his enthralling
antics, a feat he maintained for years.
Overwhelmed by his talent, Amin, in 1975, sent Okello to the Nella School of
Music in the UK to study music and band administration. Amin also boosted
the band with new equipment. That was a gift from Amin, says Kakooza.
Through Okello, the Police band was popular.
When Amin attempted to exterminate the Acholi, Okello, an Acholi, feared for
his life. He, therefore, spent the nights outside the barracks and only
returned in the mornings to the Nsambya base.
This news, however, soon reached the President who summoned Okello and
assured him of his safety. Okello is our fl ower; whoever touches him must
be sent to the firing squad! local media quoted the President as saying.
For their talents, Okello, Onek and Orech lived and peacefully retired from
public service when other offi cers from the north were either eliminated or
fled to exile.
Upon thrilling him during the Cooperatives Day celebrations in Rukungiri, in
1976, Amin promoted Okello from his Kenya sergeant rank to lieutenant.
During his second government, Obote, promoted Okello to the rank of
Assistant Superintendent of Police. He also went on to serve in President
Yoweri Musevenis regime, making him one of a few cops to have served in all
post-independence governments in Uganda.
Retirement
When in 1992, Okello retired from the Police, Museveni summoned him to State
House to bid him farewell, he gave him sh2m and authorised that he gets 50
bags of cement to build a retirement house in appreciation of his service
to Uganda.
Not many people retired with such a package, says Odomel. Okello joined
the Lugazi-based SCOUL band, taking over its leadership until the time he
retired in 2002.
He was transparent and committed to his work, says Nickson Twesigye, the
SCOUL human resources manager. While at SCOUL, our band was one of the best
in Uganda. We called on Okello to perform whenever we had visitors and he
did a good job.
An Anglican, Okello was born to Beatrice and Kila Okello in the 1920s. He
changed his name from Samuel to Venancio to gain admission into St.Josephs
College, Layibi that did not admit non-Catholics then.
--
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