Mirror, mirror, which Amin is dead?
Sep 18, 2003
He was the protagonist in the award-winning movie about Africa’s most publicised dictator, Idi Amin. Today, Joseph Olita runs Gallamoro Network, an NGO that uses films and theatre to create awareness about AIDS. <b>Reuben Olita</b> traced him in Nairobi
IDI Amin is dead and buried but in neighbouring Kenya lives is man who will always remind Kenyans of Uganda’s butcher, whose reign of terror culminated in the death of over 500,000 people.
Joseph Olita’s role in the Rise and Fall of Idi Amin saw the film win five awards at the Las Vegas International Film Festival in 1980, with Olita winning the best actor award.
The blockburster movie by Shared Patel took the world by storm with its no-holds-barred depictions of Uganda’s grand dictator, including scenes of murder, rape and plunder.
In Kenya and beyond, the film still commands audience, but to Olita who imitated the fallen Ugandan dictator of all times, not much is known of this man whom many thought had predeceased Amin Dada.
“I’m still alive and kicking contrary to reports doing rounds in the region and more so in Uganda that I am also dead. My exploits are still intact and soon Ugandans will hear more about me in other forums,†Olita told The New Vision in an exclusive interview in his Kenya Cinema office on Moi avenue in Nairobi.
Confusion regarding the true identity of this man whose physique resembled that of Amin had led to speculations by some Uganda FM radio stations that it is this writer who acted in the film.
There is no relations between Reuben and Joseph who hails from Nyanza province and he is a Luo.
Waiting for him in his office, the impression I gathered was that of a man who still commanded respect owing to the role he played in the film.
“Hallo, this is Idi Amin Dada,†Olita said as he answered one of the numerous calls.â€( A clear indication that people still refer to him with that infamous name, two decades since the successful filming of the local blockburster.
Todate, Olita appreciates being referred to as Amin Dada even after the death of the dictator in Saudi Arabia.
“Amin was a great man although many people didn’t understand him. What happened to him could happen to any other leader and I am proud of him,†he said.
Olita recalled writing to Amin in 2001 in a bid to “seek re-union†but did not get a reply. He wonders whether his letter ever reached his ‘brother’ or not.
“I really wanted to meet him and tell him that I had no malice in the film, but it was out of pure liking for him that I stepped into his shoes,†he said.
Expressing sorrow over Amin’s death, Olita said he failed to understand why many people rejoiced upon Amin’s death.
“Amin was semi-illiterate yet many of his wives are Makerere graduates. Was this a mean achievement for a man who was suffering from inferiority complex?†he asked.
He regretted that the cruel hand of death had robbed him of his ‘brother’ whom he wished to live to share with many things they had in common. Olita admitted that his resemblance to the dictator took him aback.
“Amin worked with the Kenya African Rifle(KAR) near Nairobi while my father, the late Alex Ogola, was an overseer in Karura coffee farm. I don’t know who between them strayed to create this resemblance?†Olita remarked jokingly amid laughter.
Born on January 1, 1946 in Siaya District, Nyanza province, Olita attended St. Mary’s High School, Yala where he sat for his form four exams. He later pursued a diploma in office management and administration from the British Tutorial college. He also acquired certificates of completion of studies in senior education, commerce and finance accounting.
Currently, he is the chief executive officer of Gallamoro Network, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in HIV/Aids control and prevention through films and drama. He is also an actor, researcher and writer especially on HIV/Aids advocacy and awareness creation through films and drama.
Perhaps many would ask how Olita was identified to play such a role.
“I was developing a new concept for Mobile Cinemas in Siaya District in 1976 when I sought advice from Sharad Patel, an Asian, then a leading figure in the mobile cinema industry. I had just met Patel and I was busy discussing plans for my project. I was so deeply engrossed in the discussion that I did not even notice that Patel had stopped talking and was just staring at me. I paused, puzzled and asked him why he was staring at me. ‘You really resemble Idi Amin! Patel exclaimed.’ He then spilled the beans about a film idea on the Ugandan dictator, The Entebe Raid,†he said.
This marked Olita’s turning point although he never featured in the Entebe Raid episode that anyhow, turned out to be a flop. Instead, he went back into employment with USAID between 1978-79 awaiting another opportunity which came with the overthrow of Amin.
Auditioning for the role of Amin in The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin, was really daring, but how he was received after, Olita says: “To me it was normal. I didn’t give a damn to criticisms which I considered petty to an elephant like myself. I felt great impersonating a person who had ruled Uganda for eight years as president yet I cannot rule Kenya even for eight minutes!â€
It was rumoured that Olita was underpaid despite playing a key role in the film. However, he has no regrets.
“I made a breakthrough. I am more famous than most politicians who buy their popularity; mine is God-given. Money is not an issue to me.
My motto is ‘forward ever, backwards never’. I look forward to better things. Please watch my steps my comrades in Uganda,†he said.
There were claims that Amin killed and ate his own son and even chopped down one of his wives.
However Olita said: “I don’t think this was exactly the case.†He said he played that role because it was demanded of him by the producer’s script.
While Amin had nine wives and 36 children Olita has three wives and 24 children. Is he trying to surpass Amin’s record?.
“Absolutely not, I am contented with these, though there is still room to manufacture a few more,†he jokes.
According to Olita, the success of The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin opened avenues for his exploits.
He later also starred in films like Sheeba Queen of the Jungle, Mississippi Masala (as Idi Amin), Black Forest clinic and African hunter — all shot on African soil.
A born-again Christian since 1991, Olita appeals to Africans to seek God’s guidance in whatever they do.
This is the direction he is pursuing now as he ventured to save the continent's population from imminent extinction owing to the dreaded Aids pandemic.
He is involved in creating awareness about the HIV/Aids, drug abuse, abortion, gender issues, environmental conservation and poverty alleviation through his own initiative, the Gallamoro Network, an NGO of which he is the founding CEO. Formed four years ago, GN also has a film and drama group which addresses these key issues through theatre and drama.
Unlike other well-to-do Kenyans who reside in exclusive areas in the city, Olita is contented with a one bed-roomed government house in Eastlands where he pays a paltry rent of Ksh900.
You can reach the star of The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin on Tel: 005 733 702 138 or
Email:gallamoro@yahoo.com.
Joseph Olita’s role in the Rise and Fall of Idi Amin saw the film win five awards at the Las Vegas International Film Festival in 1980, with Olita winning the best actor award.
The blockburster movie by Shared Patel took the world by storm with its no-holds-barred depictions of Uganda’s grand dictator, including scenes of murder, rape and plunder.
In Kenya and beyond, the film still commands audience, but to Olita who imitated the fallen Ugandan dictator of all times, not much is known of this man whom many thought had predeceased Amin Dada.
“I’m still alive and kicking contrary to reports doing rounds in the region and more so in Uganda that I am also dead. My exploits are still intact and soon Ugandans will hear more about me in other forums,†Olita told The New Vision in an exclusive interview in his Kenya Cinema office on Moi avenue in Nairobi.
Confusion regarding the true identity of this man whose physique resembled that of Amin had led to speculations by some Uganda FM radio stations that it is this writer who acted in the film.
There is no relations between Reuben and Joseph who hails from Nyanza province and he is a Luo.
Waiting for him in his office, the impression I gathered was that of a man who still commanded respect owing to the role he played in the film.
“Hallo, this is Idi Amin Dada,†Olita said as he answered one of the numerous calls.â€( A clear indication that people still refer to him with that infamous name, two decades since the successful filming of the local blockburster.
Todate, Olita appreciates being referred to as Amin Dada even after the death of the dictator in Saudi Arabia.
“Amin was a great man although many people didn’t understand him. What happened to him could happen to any other leader and I am proud of him,†he said.
Olita recalled writing to Amin in 2001 in a bid to “seek re-union†but did not get a reply. He wonders whether his letter ever reached his ‘brother’ or not.
“I really wanted to meet him and tell him that I had no malice in the film, but it was out of pure liking for him that I stepped into his shoes,†he said.
Expressing sorrow over Amin’s death, Olita said he failed to understand why many people rejoiced upon Amin’s death.
“Amin was semi-illiterate yet many of his wives are Makerere graduates. Was this a mean achievement for a man who was suffering from inferiority complex?†he asked.
He regretted that the cruel hand of death had robbed him of his ‘brother’ whom he wished to live to share with many things they had in common. Olita admitted that his resemblance to the dictator took him aback.
“Amin worked with the Kenya African Rifle(KAR) near Nairobi while my father, the late Alex Ogola, was an overseer in Karura coffee farm. I don’t know who between them strayed to create this resemblance?†Olita remarked jokingly amid laughter.
Born on January 1, 1946 in Siaya District, Nyanza province, Olita attended St. Mary’s High School, Yala where he sat for his form four exams. He later pursued a diploma in office management and administration from the British Tutorial college. He also acquired certificates of completion of studies in senior education, commerce and finance accounting.
Currently, he is the chief executive officer of Gallamoro Network, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) involved in HIV/Aids control and prevention through films and drama. He is also an actor, researcher and writer especially on HIV/Aids advocacy and awareness creation through films and drama.
Perhaps many would ask how Olita was identified to play such a role.
“I was developing a new concept for Mobile Cinemas in Siaya District in 1976 when I sought advice from Sharad Patel, an Asian, then a leading figure in the mobile cinema industry. I had just met Patel and I was busy discussing plans for my project. I was so deeply engrossed in the discussion that I did not even notice that Patel had stopped talking and was just staring at me. I paused, puzzled and asked him why he was staring at me. ‘You really resemble Idi Amin! Patel exclaimed.’ He then spilled the beans about a film idea on the Ugandan dictator, The Entebe Raid,†he said.
This marked Olita’s turning point although he never featured in the Entebe Raid episode that anyhow, turned out to be a flop. Instead, he went back into employment with USAID between 1978-79 awaiting another opportunity which came with the overthrow of Amin.
Auditioning for the role of Amin in The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin, was really daring, but how he was received after, Olita says: “To me it was normal. I didn’t give a damn to criticisms which I considered petty to an elephant like myself. I felt great impersonating a person who had ruled Uganda for eight years as president yet I cannot rule Kenya even for eight minutes!â€
It was rumoured that Olita was underpaid despite playing a key role in the film. However, he has no regrets.
“I made a breakthrough. I am more famous than most politicians who buy their popularity; mine is God-given. Money is not an issue to me.
My motto is ‘forward ever, backwards never’. I look forward to better things. Please watch my steps my comrades in Uganda,†he said.
There were claims that Amin killed and ate his own son and even chopped down one of his wives.
However Olita said: “I don’t think this was exactly the case.†He said he played that role because it was demanded of him by the producer’s script.
While Amin had nine wives and 36 children Olita has three wives and 24 children. Is he trying to surpass Amin’s record?.
“Absolutely not, I am contented with these, though there is still room to manufacture a few more,†he jokes.
According to Olita, the success of The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin opened avenues for his exploits.
He later also starred in films like Sheeba Queen of the Jungle, Mississippi Masala (as Idi Amin), Black Forest clinic and African hunter — all shot on African soil.
A born-again Christian since 1991, Olita appeals to Africans to seek God’s guidance in whatever they do.
This is the direction he is pursuing now as he ventured to save the continent's population from imminent extinction owing to the dreaded Aids pandemic.
He is involved in creating awareness about the HIV/Aids, drug abuse, abortion, gender issues, environmental conservation and poverty alleviation through his own initiative, the Gallamoro Network, an NGO of which he is the founding CEO. Formed four years ago, GN also has a film and drama group which addresses these key issues through theatre and drama.
Unlike other well-to-do Kenyans who reside in exclusive areas in the city, Olita is contented with a one bed-roomed government house in Eastlands where he pays a paltry rent of Ksh900.
You can reach the star of The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin on Tel: 005 733 702 138 or
Email:gallamoro@yahoo.com.