UCU alum Okello uses art to make a career mark

By William Opio

Glasses made from wine bottles that Reagan Okello picked from bars

In the village of Koro Abili in Omoro district, northern Uganda, a boy often walked past a church because he thought the children who were inside it were just playing. But one day, his inquisitive nature forced him into the house of God. 

He was lucky enough to find that Watoto Church had organized a children’s camp that day. One thing immediately excited Reagan Okello: seeing the snacks that had been bought for the children at the camp. 

When some of the organizers of the camp noticed an unfamiliar face, they reached out to him. And that conversation was what, perhaps, Okello needed in his life. The organizers learned that the boy was not consistently in school. And that the reason for that was a challenge with school fees. He was asked just one question: “Do you want to study?” 

An affirmative answer met a promise by Watoto Church to pay Okello’s school fees from Primary Three through university.

Okello and UCU Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyezi with a painting that the artist made

“Sometimes I would wake up and wonder if it was a dream,” he says, adding: “God can turn things around in a way you never expect.”

Today, Okello is a graduate of Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art of Uganda Christian University (UCU), a recycling innovator, a mentor to young creatives and the sole pillar of support for his extended family. 

He was born in Gulu district but grew up in Koro Abili, Omoro district. His father passed away in 2007, when Okello was still young. As the youngest of nine siblings, life was never easy. Schooling was irregular. Some terms he studied, other terms he stayed home because there was no money for fees.

“My mother, Laker Christine, did everything she could to look after us,” he recalls. “But, sometimes, it wasn’t possible to pull off some demands.”

Ironically, Okello wanted a career in engineering. However, while in Senior Five, his teachers forced him to take art as a subject after they repeatedly found cartoon sketches of teachers in his books, instead of notes.

At first, Okello did not put much effort in the art subject because of how he was introduced to it – as a punishment. However, because of his competitive nature, he was left with no option but to excel.  

A worn out tea mug that Okello brought to life through art

“I don’t like being defeated,” he said. “If your drawings are better than mine, I will practice until I get better than you.”

His turning point came when someone bought his painting at sh50,000 (about $13) while a student in Senior Five. That was little money, but it meant a lot to Okello.

He practiced relentlessly, sometimes going the whole night without sleep. By the time he completed Senior Six, he had chosen his path. In September 2021, he joined UCU to pursue a Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art, graduating in October 2024.

At UCU, he encountered talented artists from across the country and often represented the Arts Department during high school outreaches.

Okello participated in an international visual art competition for tertiary institution students from Uganda and the Nigerian community in Uganda.

Okello at work

The cross-cultural competition was held under the theme “My Impression of Nigeria, My Impression of Uganda.” Ugandan students focused on “My Impression of Nigeria” while Nigerian participants produced artwork based on the theme “My Impression of Uganda.”

In the competition, Okello was 22nd out of over 300 competitors from Uganda and received a certificate and drawing materials as a reward.

“UCU believed in me,” he says. “When people believe in you, you grow.”

During his final year class project, Okello faced a challenge from his lecturers. They asked him: What else can you do, beyond painting?

He looked around and saw broken bottles discarded outside bars. He also saw old shoes thrown away because they had faded. He picked old tea mugs people had discarded. In these things, he saw a possibility.

Okello began turning the broken glass bottles into drinking glasses, lampshades, decorative pieces and customized branded items. Old shoes were redesigned into unique fashion statements. Damaged flasks were beautified. Even broken ceramic pieces and discarded wires found their way into his artwork.

Okello uses proceeds from his artwork to support his mother

His recycling initiative won him $1,000 in a competition. He used that money to expand his ideas, for instance forming a group called Okeartsy, to train young people to replicate the same work, using affordable, locally available materials. One of his proudest achievements is mentoring Bearer Mwaka, a young artist. Through online coaching and guidance, Okello guided Mwaka to develop his skills and return to school.

Okello is the only member of his family to have studied beyond Senior Six. Today, he supports his mother and helps care for the children of his older siblings.

“Everything is on me,” he says. “But art keeps me going.”

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