Eseza, the children’s heroine
Children how are you? Have you done your homework? What have you done for Mum and Dad this weekend?†Ardent listeners and viewers of Radio Uganda and WBS Television respectively recall one voice when the above questions cross their minds-the voice of one ‘child’ Esther Kazinda, also known as E
Children how are you? Have you done your homework? What have you done for Mum and Dad this weekend?†Ardent listeners and viewers of Radio Uganda and WBS Television respectively recall one voice when the above questions cross their minds-the voice of one ‘child’ Esther Kazinda, also known as Eseza Omwana Omuto.
She is popular for her children’s programmes geared towards educating children and counselling parents on responsible parenthood.
Twenty-six years down the road, Eseza is still doing the same work that has turned her into a household name. She possesses a natural quality of dynamism and the young follow her passionately.
In the language of Rotarians, she offers service above self. For this Rotarians have awarded her. The Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands presented a Vocational Award 2003/4 to Esther Kazinda a.k.a Eseza Omwana Omuto on October 23, in recognition and appreciation of her services to the community in the field of Radio and Television Broad casting.
When she moves around town, she is mobbed by hordes of fans mostly children. She is a simple woman, light skinned, of medium size and height. She smiles courteously and looks straight into ones face when talking.
“I teach the children never to look down when speaking to a person,†She reveals.
Traditionally, children were not allowed to look up in adults’ eyes. Eseza has the ability to talk to children through radio.
It’s hard to differentiate her voice from that of a child.
“She speaks like a real child. This attribute attracts and lures children to her programmes,†Peace Namara, a parent in Buziga commented.
Eseza is a role model to children. She loves them and they love her. She is creative and hard working. Her programme is like music. It has no boundaries.
The programmes are broadcast in Luganda, but children from different tribes and regions love and associate with them.
“Speaking and understanding the language of children is her talent,†Jane Ateenyi of Radio Uganda says.
Intelligent, easy going, talkative and receptive is the woman who has won children’s and parents’ hearts.
Children always seek out Eseza at any cost. They escape from school, storm Radio Uganda and demand to talk to their sister. Some call in from as far as Mbarara, FortPortal, Gulu and Masindi pleading with Eseza to pay them a visit.
“I started listening to her programme at 13. She taught me one thing that I have lived to reflect in life and that is loving children and listening to parents advice always,†Joseph Busulwa 28, of Nansana says.
At Radio Uganda, where Eseza started her career of broadcasting in 1977, she is the darling of colleagues.
“I got to know Eseza in 1977, when she joined Radio Uganda. She was a young and talented girl. The first programme she tried was superb and never was she going to look back,†Joyce Mbabazi Gunura, head of Gender Section Radio Uganda says.
“She is very social, associates and deals with anyone especially children. You wouldn’t believe it!
We get children coming from Mukono and Iganga looking for Eseza, such is how far she has touched the lives of children,†she adds.
When I visited Shimoni Demonstration School, I was humbled by her popularity amongst children.
In Primary five, the mention of Eseza sent the whole class screaming. Like bristles of a frightened man, all hands shot up in unison when I floated Eseza’s name for discussion.
“Who knows Eseza and why?†I asked. Noise and heightened screams of me teacher... I know the answer followed. I had become a teacher!
“She teaches us good manners and tells us nice stories. She organises parties for children and entertains us on TV,†James Ekakwa, P5 said.
“She advises our parents on what we need. She teaches us good songs. Even last time she came here (Shimoni) and told us the name of the River with four ‘Is’-Mississippi,†Maureen Achiro said.
After the surprise at Shimoni, when I met Eseza I was not perturbed by the answer she gave after I demanded to know the number of her siblings.
“Where will I start from and end. I have so many children- is all I can say,†she says dressed in a green suit and black shoes.
In her struggle for children’s rights, one important mission in life is yet to be accomplished.
“All my life I have worked towards making the best for the children. My dream is to have a home for them, travel abroad and see how children fair in other countries. I am looking towards that moment when good samaritans will heed my call to fulfil my dream,†Eseza whose meagre salary hardly sustains the few children she looks after pleads.
“Eseza is innovative. Even what you’re not planning as head of section she does and it’s marvellous. She is not a person who will let you down on the job,†Gunura adds.
Eseza presents children’s programmes, Abato every Sunday where she hosts children and discusses a number of issues affecting them. She hosts a similar programme on Star FM on Saturdays. Emiti emito is another of her programmes on WBS Television.
Born to Elinest Kazinda (RIP) and Aida Kazinda in Mawookota Mpigi District in 1957, Eseza completed her primary education at Kitebi Primary School. She later enrolled at St. Joseph’s Nsambya Girls Senior Secondary School for her secondary education.
In 1977, she joined Radio Uganda where she has worked as a specialist in children issues for 26 years.
“I am always with children. What I find them eating is what I eat,†she says. During her free time, she visits children especially the needy.
She is popular for her children’s programmes geared towards educating children and counselling parents on responsible parenthood.
Twenty-six years down the road, Eseza is still doing the same work that has turned her into a household name. She possesses a natural quality of dynamism and the young follow her passionately.
In the language of Rotarians, she offers service above self. For this Rotarians have awarded her. The Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands presented a Vocational Award 2003/4 to Esther Kazinda a.k.a Eseza Omwana Omuto on October 23, in recognition and appreciation of her services to the community in the field of Radio and Television Broad casting.
When she moves around town, she is mobbed by hordes of fans mostly children. She is a simple woman, light skinned, of medium size and height. She smiles courteously and looks straight into ones face when talking.
“I teach the children never to look down when speaking to a person,†She reveals.
Traditionally, children were not allowed to look up in adults’ eyes. Eseza has the ability to talk to children through radio.
It’s hard to differentiate her voice from that of a child.
“She speaks like a real child. This attribute attracts and lures children to her programmes,†Peace Namara, a parent in Buziga commented.
Eseza is a role model to children. She loves them and they love her. She is creative and hard working. Her programme is like music. It has no boundaries.
The programmes are broadcast in Luganda, but children from different tribes and regions love and associate with them.
“Speaking and understanding the language of children is her talent,†Jane Ateenyi of Radio Uganda says.
Intelligent, easy going, talkative and receptive is the woman who has won children’s and parents’ hearts.
Children always seek out Eseza at any cost. They escape from school, storm Radio Uganda and demand to talk to their sister. Some call in from as far as Mbarara, FortPortal, Gulu and Masindi pleading with Eseza to pay them a visit.
“I started listening to her programme at 13. She taught me one thing that I have lived to reflect in life and that is loving children and listening to parents advice always,†Joseph Busulwa 28, of Nansana says.
At Radio Uganda, where Eseza started her career of broadcasting in 1977, she is the darling of colleagues.
“I got to know Eseza in 1977, when she joined Radio Uganda. She was a young and talented girl. The first programme she tried was superb and never was she going to look back,†Joyce Mbabazi Gunura, head of Gender Section Radio Uganda says.
“She is very social, associates and deals with anyone especially children. You wouldn’t believe it!
We get children coming from Mukono and Iganga looking for Eseza, such is how far she has touched the lives of children,†she adds.
When I visited Shimoni Demonstration School, I was humbled by her popularity amongst children.
In Primary five, the mention of Eseza sent the whole class screaming. Like bristles of a frightened man, all hands shot up in unison when I floated Eseza’s name for discussion.
“Who knows Eseza and why?†I asked. Noise and heightened screams of me teacher... I know the answer followed. I had become a teacher!
“She teaches us good manners and tells us nice stories. She organises parties for children and entertains us on TV,†James Ekakwa, P5 said.
“She advises our parents on what we need. She teaches us good songs. Even last time she came here (Shimoni) and told us the name of the River with four ‘Is’-Mississippi,†Maureen Achiro said.
After the surprise at Shimoni, when I met Eseza I was not perturbed by the answer she gave after I demanded to know the number of her siblings.
“Where will I start from and end. I have so many children- is all I can say,†she says dressed in a green suit and black shoes.
In her struggle for children’s rights, one important mission in life is yet to be accomplished.
“All my life I have worked towards making the best for the children. My dream is to have a home for them, travel abroad and see how children fair in other countries. I am looking towards that moment when good samaritans will heed my call to fulfil my dream,†Eseza whose meagre salary hardly sustains the few children she looks after pleads.
“Eseza is innovative. Even what you’re not planning as head of section she does and it’s marvellous. She is not a person who will let you down on the job,†Gunura adds.
Eseza presents children’s programmes, Abato every Sunday where she hosts children and discusses a number of issues affecting them. She hosts a similar programme on Star FM on Saturdays. Emiti emito is another of her programmes on WBS Television.
Born to Elinest Kazinda (RIP) and Aida Kazinda in Mawookota Mpigi District in 1957, Eseza completed her primary education at Kitebi Primary School. She later enrolled at St. Joseph’s Nsambya Girls Senior Secondary School for her secondary education.
In 1977, she joined Radio Uganda where she has worked as a specialist in children issues for 26 years.
“I am always with children. What I find them eating is what I eat,†she says. During her free time, she visits children especially the needy.