UTV not the same without Kilama
When death is so sudden, words are lost. Despite its inevitability, humanity has never found the formula to contain the enormity of death when it strikes.
By Peter Swilikei Kissa
When death is so sudden, words are lost. Despite its inevitability, humanity has never found the formula to contain the enormity of death when it strikes.
Bewilderment and a deep void fills those close to the deceased, longing for answers to the recurring questions, “why him/her?†or “Why now?â€
The answer belongs to a higher force, we can only do what is within our power –– celebrate the life of the deceased.
Toya Kilama was no ordinary person. He was a household name, an ideal to many, a friend of thousands an accomplished professional, loving parent and a considerate kinsman.
At 47 years old, Kilama left a legacy that remains the domain of very few special Ugandans.
When he joined the then Ministry of Information in 1982 as an Information Officer, little did he know that 21 years later, he would depart suddenly. But not without making a mark in indelible ink on the professional landscape of television journalism in Uganda.
Kilama rose to prominence in the mid 1980s when Uganda Television began broadcasting news reports with reporters’ commentaries and field reports.
Kilama initiated this style of broadcast after watching weekly news reports by Christian Broadcasting Network, CBN.
Together with George Alele, Mary Buhamizo, Olive Nabukonde, Anne Shalita, Paul Bijurenda (RIP) and myself, this new approach to television news presentation catapulted us into the public eye with Kilama at the forefront. He soon earned the nickname ‘CNN.’
Television journalism draws a lot on talent and Kilama had plenty of it.
His trademark story-telling delivery in simple, clear and penetrating language made his reports easily understandable to a cross section of our audience. His classic signature of “I am Toya Kilama, UTV News .....†was imitated by the young and the old across the country.
It was inevitable that Kilama, who was a major contributor to the daily English newscasts, and the weekly news round-ups which ran for more than 10 years, became immensely popular with UTV audience.
Children and adults shouted his name whenever they saw him on the streets. Others stopped their cars to greet him, while others would come to Uganda Television to meet him and shake his hand.
I have had a lot of hard time myself, explaining to many enthusiastic fans that I was not Toya Kilama although I also reported television news!
His talent and enormous contribution to television journalism in Uganda did not go un-recognised. Kilama was awarded the Spear Motors best Television Journalist/News Reporter on more than three occasions.
The work of the panel of judges, when it came to this category, was cut out for them; Kilama was an obvious choice!
I also vividly remember the colourful citations by the Rotary Club of the Source of the Nile in Jinja when they presented Kilama and myself their Vocational Service Awards for our contribution to television journalism. Olive Nabukonde found it very easy to report that story!
Kilama’s professional excellence was borne out of a very deep commitment to quality presentation.
Many colleagues complained that He took too long in his productions.
This was inevitable because Kilama was a perfectionist when it came to news reporting. many cameramen and video editors received a serious tongue-lashing for sloppy work.
Kilama was basically self-trained but his skills received fine-tuning in Seoul, South Korea and Cardiff, U.K. where he excelled in practical work and qualified with distinction.
As head of Uganda Television Newsroom, Kilama introduced many innovations, including live studio interviews for breaking stories and segmentation of the main 10:00 O’clock news.
At the time of his demise, Toya Kilama had virtually reached the pinnacle of his career, which was no simple achievement.
Kilama was born to a Policeman, the Late Ishmeal Okwera and Edica Okwera, who is still alive. He studied in Mbale for his O’levels and joined St. Peter’s College, Tororo, for his A’levels. He joined Makerere University where he graduated with a B.A. Hons degree in 1982.
Kilama cracked up everyone with his pervasive sense of humour. Almost everyone had a nickname associated with a comic event involving him. When he made a comment during the editorial meetings, more often than not, there would be a funny angle to it.
Many of us who were really close to Toya found it difficult to quarrel with him because he had a way of deflating your anger with his barbs of humour.
Everybody in Uganda Television will definitely feel the emptiness of our corridors which used to be filled with his boisterous laughter and jokes thrown left and right.
The silence we now have jolts us with the pain of realising that we shall not hear that voice again!!! Fare well dear Toya. You will always be remembered by the millions of people who knew you.
When death is so sudden, words are lost. Despite its inevitability, humanity has never found the formula to contain the enormity of death when it strikes.
Bewilderment and a deep void fills those close to the deceased, longing for answers to the recurring questions, “why him/her?†or “Why now?â€
The answer belongs to a higher force, we can only do what is within our power –– celebrate the life of the deceased.
Toya Kilama was no ordinary person. He was a household name, an ideal to many, a friend of thousands an accomplished professional, loving parent and a considerate kinsman.
At 47 years old, Kilama left a legacy that remains the domain of very few special Ugandans.
When he joined the then Ministry of Information in 1982 as an Information Officer, little did he know that 21 years later, he would depart suddenly. But not without making a mark in indelible ink on the professional landscape of television journalism in Uganda.
Kilama rose to prominence in the mid 1980s when Uganda Television began broadcasting news reports with reporters’ commentaries and field reports.
Kilama initiated this style of broadcast after watching weekly news reports by Christian Broadcasting Network, CBN.
Together with George Alele, Mary Buhamizo, Olive Nabukonde, Anne Shalita, Paul Bijurenda (RIP) and myself, this new approach to television news presentation catapulted us into the public eye with Kilama at the forefront. He soon earned the nickname ‘CNN.’
Television journalism draws a lot on talent and Kilama had plenty of it.
His trademark story-telling delivery in simple, clear and penetrating language made his reports easily understandable to a cross section of our audience. His classic signature of “I am Toya Kilama, UTV News .....†was imitated by the young and the old across the country.
It was inevitable that Kilama, who was a major contributor to the daily English newscasts, and the weekly news round-ups which ran for more than 10 years, became immensely popular with UTV audience.
Children and adults shouted his name whenever they saw him on the streets. Others stopped their cars to greet him, while others would come to Uganda Television to meet him and shake his hand.
I have had a lot of hard time myself, explaining to many enthusiastic fans that I was not Toya Kilama although I also reported television news!
His talent and enormous contribution to television journalism in Uganda did not go un-recognised. Kilama was awarded the Spear Motors best Television Journalist/News Reporter on more than three occasions.
The work of the panel of judges, when it came to this category, was cut out for them; Kilama was an obvious choice!
I also vividly remember the colourful citations by the Rotary Club of the Source of the Nile in Jinja when they presented Kilama and myself their Vocational Service Awards for our contribution to television journalism. Olive Nabukonde found it very easy to report that story!
Kilama’s professional excellence was borne out of a very deep commitment to quality presentation.
Many colleagues complained that He took too long in his productions.
This was inevitable because Kilama was a perfectionist when it came to news reporting. many cameramen and video editors received a serious tongue-lashing for sloppy work.
Kilama was basically self-trained but his skills received fine-tuning in Seoul, South Korea and Cardiff, U.K. where he excelled in practical work and qualified with distinction.
As head of Uganda Television Newsroom, Kilama introduced many innovations, including live studio interviews for breaking stories and segmentation of the main 10:00 O’clock news.
At the time of his demise, Toya Kilama had virtually reached the pinnacle of his career, which was no simple achievement.
Kilama was born to a Policeman, the Late Ishmeal Okwera and Edica Okwera, who is still alive. He studied in Mbale for his O’levels and joined St. Peter’s College, Tororo, for his A’levels. He joined Makerere University where he graduated with a B.A. Hons degree in 1982.
Kilama cracked up everyone with his pervasive sense of humour. Almost everyone had a nickname associated with a comic event involving him. When he made a comment during the editorial meetings, more often than not, there would be a funny angle to it.
Many of us who were really close to Toya found it difficult to quarrel with him because he had a way of deflating your anger with his barbs of humour.
Everybody in Uganda Television will definitely feel the emptiness of our corridors which used to be filled with his boisterous laughter and jokes thrown left and right.
The silence we now have jolts us with the pain of realising that we shall not hear that voice again!!! Fare well dear Toya. You will always be remembered by the millions of people who knew you.