Okello's band abilities won him celebrity status

To mark 50 years of Uganda’s 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 Police’s 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, Okello’s 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 band’s 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 Okello’s 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 wasn’t 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. Okello’s 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 Kenya’s independence day, many leaders graced the Nairobi celebrations; one of those in attendance was Uganda’s premier, Apollo Milton Obote. Okello’s 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 Okello’s 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 Museveni’s 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.Joseph’s College, Layibi that did not admit non-Catholics then.