From Uganda to Jamaica for the arts

More than 20 years ago Omal Peter made his way from Uganda to Jamaica to visit his brother. Little did he know that his life would be forever changed and that his long-time passion for the arts was about to be rekindled.

In 1988, Peter settled at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts (then called the Jamaica School of Art) to begin four years of training in visual communications (formerly graphics). This was among the first tests he had to pass on his way to becoming the accomplished artist and educator he is today.

Today, Peter has two roles at the college. He is a full-time lecturer and designer and is multi-skilled in the areas of interactive media, radio and television. He spends his spare time working on a mini movie production. He works at producing children's interactive learning media using software like Macromedia Director, Adobe Premiere, Flash and other video editing software.

Among the challenges he has faced while being in Jamaica are adapting to a new culture, the new environment and keeping up with his finances. To earn his tuition, and sustain himself, he took up several jobs including one at CGR Communications Limited.

Different challenges
According to him, these challenges were less intimidating, compared to challenges faced back home in Uganda. Owing to pervasive civil unrest, since 1986, most of the nation's schools lost art facilities. This made learning the arts, which requires much material, efficient space and proper financing, very difficult. Visual art in Uganda, then, became restricted to the printing press. There was no access to art facilities and funding/sponsorship for the development of the art process was basically non-existent.

Commenting on college life, Peter describes the four years to earn a diploma/degree as very tedious and sometimes seemingly unnecessary. However, he is evidently committed to garnering all the education he can. After leaving Edna Manley College he studied at several locations, including the Ohio State University (three years) and the University of Technology (two years). His intention was to satisfy certification requirements to become more marketable.

In-between colleges, Peter operated Media Concepts, teaching production and interactive media and graphic design from his studio.Eventually, while operating his own business, he was invited to do graphic design for the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, which he still does while working as a lecturer. Balancing teaching and being taught plus family life is one hurdle he must now tackle in order to leap smoothly over to completing his PhD. Thanks to the CHASE Foundation, which recently awarded him sponsorship worth just under one million dollars, the aspirant, who says college life is 'all very stressful and demanding', is now well on his way to attaining his PhD

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"Mwalimu" Mzee Alipayo Lwanymoi Oloya

Mzee A.Lwanymoi Oloya, passed away on Monday, January 24, 2011 in Gulu Hospital. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday on January 21 at Pamin-Yai. He was a Selfstarter! Apart from teaching Alipayo was a well known Agriculturist, avid farmer and use a lot of modern agricultural technology in Acholi land! He instilled in all his children sense of purpose and most of the children excel well broad and at home! Some of us who were constant visitor to his home learn a lot from Mwalimu Alipayo! I grew up and studied with his children like Okota, Naros (Ogaba,/Dwoka/Oruni the younger girls Acomo, Betty, and Sara are those I could still remembered ) and many young one and older one who eventually left to study abroad)!

“Dad gave us all we needed, to be what we all want to be. He gave this world, and I mean all corners of it; teachers, Doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, whatever you can think of Mr Oloya had it in his family. A great man to his community too thanks for all your blessings and wisdom Dad….." Ben Oloya

He was born on January 21, 1921 in Ajumani in Madi District, where his father was posted as a Police officer, his mother a humble homemaker. Money was very tight, and with his father constantly on the move, young Alipayo was soon left behind, wasting away in Bobi village. There he would have remained were it not for a chance conversation between Bishop Usher Wilson of the Upper Nile Diocese and a parishioner. The good bishop wanted a reliable houseboy to help keep his compound clean.

The parishioner could only think of young Alipayo who proved to be a quick learner. Alipayo moved from cleaning the compound to becoming the bishop’s cook, all the while stealing time to read books that he found on the prelate’s shelves. Bishop Usher Wilson discovered that his cook was a keen learner, and enrolled him in school. Through his primary and secondary education, young Alipayo worked hard. He finally earned his way to Buwalasi Theological College where he earned a teaching certificate.

In 1942, Alipayo started teaching primary school in Ngai, near Lira in then Lango District. Restless, and perhaps a bit of an independent soul, he was moved to Boro-boro for a year. Between 1944 and 1945, he taught in Aboke and then returned to Bobi, near his village. In July 1945, he married my First Mother Alici Nora, and was moved to Kitgum where he became a headmaster and remained until 1951. He was briefly a supervising teacher in Acholi in 1951. His final stint in education was as headmaster of Gulu Primary school.

He retired in January 1955, moving to Pamin-Yai, a wilderness west of Gulu that took its name from a large rock that defiantly jutted out of the ground. Farming was back-breaking work, but Alipayo threw himself into it, becoming one of the progressive farmers of his days who used modern farming implements. He and his family live in Pamin-Yai. As a farmer he and his children worked the cotton field from morning till midnight. He grew tobacco as cash crop and tobacco required so much care from the moment of planting till it was cured in a hot barn and this requires dedicated helpers. This is where all the children learned the rope!!

Through it all, Alipayo Oloya was the perennial optimist, believing always that hard work always pays. He was also involved in municipal and district affairs, working with the Gulu District Land Board, and also as Chair of Uganda Diary Corporation. Politics seemed a big passion, but he was never quite successful at it. He did run for elective office, I think in 1970, and was defeated. Still, he read voraciously about everything, the latest journals of agriculture, learning new techniques in farming. All the while, he pushed his children to succeed in school. It was never quite good enough to return home with the report card that lacked the top score.

He did love all his many grandchildren. Teaching education and farming was Mzee Alipayo’s enduring passion. Among his peers and children he was affectionately, known as “Lapwony”, or “Mwalimu” in Kiswahili, -the teacher.

Mzee Alipayo is survived by 5 wives—Alice, Awilo, Esther, Akot and Judith, 29 children, 55 grandchildren and 10 great-grand children. He was loved and he loved all. He was a good man, a great teacher, and loving father. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, February 5, in Pamin-Yai, enough time for all his family and loved ones to gather.
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