We caught up with OBEN from East FM Tororo
Benard Ochieng, popularly known as Oben, is a prominent radio personality and the manager of East FM in Tororo, Uganda. John Kenny from Kampala Edge Times had the opportunity to dig into a deep conversation with the mayoral aspirant and this article paints the full conversation they both pulled off! From his humble beginnings to his aspirations for political leadership, Oben shares his journey, values, and vision for Tororo in this exclusive interview.
1. Who is Ochieng Benard? How did you get the name Oben?
My name is Benard Ochieng, the manager of East FM radio and presenter of the Twende Kazi Leo morning show. I’m a humble young man born and raised in Tororo Municipality. The name Oben came when I started in radio. My full name, Benard Ochieng, didn’t have the radio swag I wanted. We were planning to start the radio, and I needed a shorter, simpler name for listeners. So, I took “B” from Benard and “O” from Ochieng, inspired by A Pass, to make Oben. That’s how I got the name.
2. When and where were you born?
I was born 33 years back, on May 16, 1993, in Nyangole A. village, Eastern Division, Tororo Municipality, Tororo District.
3. Can you tell us about your family and upbringing?
I was born to David Osilo, the firstborn of the late Mzee Booma, who was Vice Chairperson of Tororo District and fought for Tororo County’s autonomy. My mother, Jacqueline Akoth, is the daughter of Ambassador, a prominent businessman who owns Ambassador Hardwares in town. I grew up with my maternal grandparents because my mother had me while still in school and later continued her education. I thought my grandparents, Mzee Ambassador and his wife, Nyapendi Catherine, were my biological parents until the community told me otherwise.
My father passed away when I was in Primary 1, so I didn’t know him much. I went to his burial, and life continued. My mother didn’t settle with my father after school; she remarried, so I stayed with my grandparents. They raised me well, educated me, and made me a responsible, humble young man. You can’t find anyone in my village saying I abused or wronged them. I was an example of a good child to my village mates and family. Did you know that you could enjoy East FM directly here?
4. What values did OBEN grow up with?
My grandparents raised me to be humble, obedient, and responsible. They taught me to respect others and live with integrity, ensuring I was a good child loved by the community.
5. Who had the biggest influence on OBEN while growing up?
My maternal grandparents, Ambassador and his wife, Nyapendi Catherine, had the biggest influence on my life. They played a key role in raising me into the person you see today. The Oben you know is a replica of their hard work.
6. Which primary school did you attend?
I went to Industrial View Primary School in Bison B., Tororo from Primary 1 to Primary 7. By the end of my time there, I was made head boy, a position I didn’t want but had to accept.
7. Where did OBEN go to secondary school?
Later on, I joined Great Aubrey High School for Senior 1 and Senior 2, around 2006–2007. Then, I went to Manjasi High School for Senior 3 and Senior 4, around 2008–2009. For A-levels, I attended St. Peter’s College, Tororo.
8. What did you study after secondary school?
After secondary school, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in Development Studies at Makerere University.
9. Did you pursue any further studies or training?
Yes, I got a certificate in Administrative Law from Makerere University’s study center at Rock View School in Tororo. I’m a journalist by practice, with some prior training before joining radio. Experts trained us on radio presentation and journalism basics. I also attended a FUFA-organized training for selected sports presenters across the country, covering communication and reporting.
10. How did your education shape the person you are today?
My education exposed me to the world and gave me a new way of seeing things, not the ordinary way. It changed how I reason and look at challenges. Sometimes, what you study isn’t what you end up doing, but my bachelor’s degree made me see community challenges differently. Each time I look at my community, I feel there’s a gap, and it pushes me to think I’m the right person to do something better. My education shaped me to understand and address community issues, making me the person I am today.
11. How did you start working in radio?
After my final exams at Makerere, I didn’t want to sit at home waiting for my certificates. I’d seen people finish school, stay home, and struggle. So, I looked for something to do. East FM was new in town, playing good music but not yet fully programming. I asked about it and learned it was a new radio. We had only one or two radios in Tororo then, one stable, one not. I thought I could part-time there while waiting for my papers to pursue my field. I applied for radio presentation, though I had no experience.
I trusted I could push if given a chance. I joined their training in May 2015, which had been going for a week. They were recruiting, removing, and adding people. When the radio went on air on August 1, 2015, I didn’t get a role at first because experienced presenters from other media houses took the spots. A month later, the sports presenter had issues and left. I was called back and asked if I’d do sports. I was already into sports, so I agreed. The team guided me, and that’s how I started as Oben the Sportsman.
12. When did OBEN join East FM, and in what role?
I joined East FM in May 2015 for training and started as a sports presenter in September 2015 when the original sports presenter left.
13. What do you love most about being a radio presenter?
I love that it’s a part-time job. You do your four hours on air and go do other stuff. It’s fun; you don’t need to be too serious. You can say something, laugh it off, or hit someone, and they think it’s a joke. You play music that’s good for you and the listener. If you master your listenership, it’s just nice. That’s what I love about being a presenter.
14. What shows or programs have you hosted over the years?
I started as a sports presenter, then did the Juakali mid-morning show which was fun with cool music and little talk. I developed a love for politics from listening to political talk shows, feeling I’d ask better questions for the community. So, I joined the Eye Opener, a political talk show, one of the top two in the district. I left Juakali and sports but kept the breakfast show, Twende Kazi Leo, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., which I currently host with Katushabe Irumba Olivia, who was formerly on STEP TV. I’ve done most key programs at East FM: sports, mid-morning, political talk shows, and the breakfast show.
15. What’s your current role at East FM as a manager?
I became the manager of East FM in 2021 after Geoffrey Mutiwa, the former manager, joined politics and won as MP for West Budama. As programs manager, I was next in command. After his campaigns, the directors didn’t appoint anyone else. I’d worked since 2015, assisting the manager and as programs manager, which made me understand the radio well. As manager, I run the day-to-day operations, supervise staff, and manage movable and non-movable assets. I ensure the radio is on air, staff are present, and it operates as it should. I handle public relations with the community, political wing, religious teams, and clients, balancing a lot. Clients often want to talk to the manager, believing I’m the final person.
16. What would you say is your biggest professional achievement so far?
My biggest achievement is seeing East FM grow to be the biggest radio in the Bukedi region, ranked number one as we speak. I started here, saw it grow from a small baby to this level. I can’t ask for more. Another achievement is having the confidence of the people I serve. When I finish a show, someone asks for the manager, and they’re introduced to me, saying, “I’ve come to say thank you; your team is doing great.” That’s huge for me.
17. Have you received any awards or special recognitions in your career?
In entertainment, awards aren’t many, but I was voted the best sports presenter in the eastern region by the Term Awards, beating people who’d been in the industry longer. Internally, East FM awarded me among the top three on-air staff after five years; I came second or third out of 15 staff. Beyond awards, politicians, district technical staff, religious leaders, and fans recognize my work. We’ve organized successful events, like the 2024 anniversary under my reign as manager, which was one of the biggest. That’s team spirit.
18. Is there a moment in your career that made you feel really proud?
One moment was knowing I’m leading a station that’s number one in the Bukedi region and number three in the eastern region, among the best in the country. It makes me walk with my head up. Another was organizing the 2024 anniversary, and everyone said, “Oben, you guys have made it; great show.” My team’s support, believing I’m a good leader, also makes me proud. Another moment is being in a function, and people excitedly recognize me as East FM’s manager, struggling to see who this Oben is. Those moments make me proud.
19. When did you first start thinking about joining politics?
After the 2021 elections, I felt elections weren’t important anymore because of what I saw. I’d developed an interest in politics and good governance. In 2021, I organized the first-ever parliamentary debates in Tororo District, hosting 58 out of 60 nominated contestants. Moderating political talk shows and interacting with top politicians made me think I could do better. Covering the elections, reporting live, and seeing field issues made me feel there’s no need for elections. But I asked myself, “If not me, who?” Hosting leaders and feeling I could outperform them pushed me to join politics to change the status quo.
20. What inspired you to run for mayor of Tororo?
I saw a gap: the leader is out of touch with the community, with corruption scandals, division among councilors, technical staff, and the executive. I’m born of this municipality, so if there’s a gap, I should fill it. One day, I interviewed the mayor on air about building a wall around Lions Children’s Park with shops, calling for private partners. A friend listening said he was interested in the partnership. I called the mayor, and he told us to meet in his office.
When we got there, he didn’t give us attention, called us idlers, and underestimated us. I told myself this gentleman has too many weaknesses, and I’d run against him to make the municipality better. I asked my colleague Hashim to make a simple poster. I was already having a lot of buyers, so I told Hashim to make an all-red poster. It trended; some insulted me, called me young, but I kept pushing. I’m now running for mayor of Tororo City, hopefully the first mayor, with God’s help.
21. What qualities make you a good leader?
I’m a good listener and have a heart for helping. Leadership is about problem-solving, and I love solving problems. I’m straight to the point, not too bold, but clear. I love good things for everyone, not just myself. That gives me courage to serve the bigger community of Tororo Municipality or City, not just myself.
22. What are the main issues in Tororo you want to address?
- Unemployment: Sort out unemployment for young people, who live without jobs.
- Livelihoods: Improve livelihoods by empowering youth and mothers with skilling for employable skills.
- Infrastructure: Fix infrastructure; the municipality has money not put to proper use. Change the town’s face, tired of dust and mud.
- Corruption: Address theft of government property and land, unaccounted money, and gaps in revenue collection.
- Inclusivity: Provide an inclusive environment for people to thrive.
- Tribal Divisions: Sort out tribal divisions.
- Sports and Entertainment: Develop infrastructure, give Lions Children’s Park a facelift, and avoid talent.
- Roads: Improve connectivity between villages, ensuring taxpayers’ money is used properly for their benefit.
23. What is your vision for Tororo town if elected mayor?
I envision a municipality that works for all, giving opportunities to all residents regardless of race, color, religion, or tribe. That’s the Tororo I want to see as mayor.
24. How would your friends describe you in three words?
My friends would say I’m kind, down-to-earth, and helpful. I talk to anyone, sort out issues even for strangers, and prefer one-on-one interactions. I’m not very social, spending little time in big gatherings, but my doors are always open.
25. What do you do to relax or unwind?
When free, I watch football, replays, listen to music, or sleep when very idle. I love relaxing with a nap or music.
26. What is your favorite music or song?
I’m all-round with music. I listen to what’s good and trending, whether reggae, gospel, or anything else. I don’t have a specific favorite; if it’s hot, I’m on it.
27. What’s your favorite food or local dish?
I love rice with matoke and anything else. I don’t like greens, but I’m not specific. You can’t poison me with one dish because I’m not that picky.
28. Are you married or in a relationship? Do you have children?
I’m married to one wife, and we have two kids. One is three, and the other is in nursery.
29. What do you want people to remember you for?
I want people to remember me as someone who loved them, worked for them, and put their interests ahead of my own. Not as a leader who stole land or misused money, but one who served his people.
30. What message do you have for the people of Tororo?
Oben is asking for your support. I’m ready to work for this community’s good, to serve as mayor of Tororo Municipality or City. I want to serve the people who raised, educated, and employed me. Let’s look for votes, back Oben, and give me a chance to serve. I won’t disappoint you. Thank you.
