Hello Chris! Could you tell Quick Talk about yourself?
Hi, I am Christopher Okidi. I am the son of Matthew Oyet and Sunday Grace Abalo, both now deceased. I am a proper Museveni child of 1986.
Among the Acholi, Okidi means the only boy, who follows girls.
My father served as an army officer during the Tito Okello regime. He later joined the police but died when I was four years old. Our mother was a teacher at Christ the King nursery school.
So, naturally you went to Christ the King nursery school…
I attended Christ the King nursery school and Shimoni demonstration school before moving to Ngetta Girls School in Lira, from where I sat my Primary Seven. I later proceeded to Sir Samuel Baker Secondary School. In 2006, I joined Gulu University for my degree in Development studies. In 2008, I was elected Guild president.
I later did my Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy degree at Makerere University. I joined Uganda Christian University in 2013 and graduated with an LLB in 2017 before proceeding to the Law Development Center for my diploma in Legal Practice.
I come from a tradition of leadership. My parents wanted me to understand my Acholi language and culture since I had been born in Kampala. I was so lucky to have a substantial part of my education among the Acholi in Gulu.
All good, but a Christopher in Ngetta Girls?
My aunt was a teacher at Ngetta Girls primary school. The same school had a section for young blind boys. The school was integrating boys into their system at the time. That is how I joined. Although the school is now mixed, the boarding section is still only for girls.
Why did you opt to study law?
When I was elected as the UYD vice president in 2012 deputising Brenda Nabukenya, we were overwhelmed by the police brutality that sometimes reached our office doors at London Chambers. It was always difficult to access a lawyer. One day, 23 activists were arrested, I failed to get them out; I only bought them soda and went home.
The next day Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago helped us. I decided to study law so my fellow activists could find sustainable legal representation. Most youth activists have a friend in me. This might have stunted my budding political career, but I gained knowledge and a career in return [Okidi has unsuccessfully contested thrice for MP. In 2011 against then LOP Prof Ogenga Latigo and in 2021 for Laroo Pece against Rev Fr Onen].
Are you married?
I seem to understand what marriage is about and I am willing to get married, but I have a son aged 10. A decision such as marriage is not taken casually. There are people on the radar that I have to understand more. I am not in a rush [huh, you realise you’re not exactly the average spring chicken?] I can marry at 50 years like Charles Njonjo.
Okay! What is it with you and politics?
I think those that raised me were very intentional with my life. It is only that Uganda’s setup is not favorable to their plans [laughs]. I am sure they always looked at me as another potential president from the family after my uncle Tito Okello Lutwa.
What has failed you?
If I were a political opportunist, I would be serving my third term in parliament. I was the person NRM contacted when they wanted to defeat Professor Latigo in 2011.
I have never believed in NRM and don’t do politics of opportunism. I do politics of conviction. It doesn’t matter whether I am in parliament or not. It is the values that I stand for that matter. I have maintained my independence of mind which to me is the greatest achievement of life.
Why didn’t you become the DP flag bearer in 2021?
The current DP leadership under [Norbert] Mao is fairly young and inexperienced. They think that if they destroyed the candle of someone rising, it could perhaps advance their careers. Maybe other people in DP got scared by my rise and objectivity.
I also think the Acholi aren’t ready for Okidi. My agenda is very radical and includes a subtle secessionist and nationalist development agenda.
I am confident that the state under-hands within DP couldn’t let me become the party candidate. I have lived long enough to understand the political landscape in this country.
Is there any bad blood between you and DP?
Not at all. Contrary to what people think that I and Mao or the entire DP don’t talk because of that Laroo-Pece ticket debacle. I talk to Mao and DP.
Even today I talked to Mao before this interview [draws a phone out of the pocket. It shows Norbert Mao in the call logs at 11:55 am]. I don’t take political disagreements personally. As an emerging intellectual and academic, I am trying to look at things rationally.
How do you fund your campaigns?
I have never looked at politics as a commercial venture. I just look at the resources that I am willing to sacrifice individually and then friends stand with me.
About 40 per cent comes from me, and 60 per cent from friends. Once the elections are done, I have petty bills like accommodation. Because I have contested several times, I know what to spend on.
How did your relatives take your political interests?
We come from a very strong political and leadership background. I come from the royal household of Pawel currently headed by Chief Rwot Baptist Latim although my father and I identify with Agago as home. It is his maternal side. In Agago, Jag Oluk, my great grandfather, was the first colonial chief of Awere Chiefdom, present-day Omoro and Agago districts. For such genes, my parents are to blame, not me.
A 24-year-old running against a Leader of Opposition in 2011!
If there’s an election season and leadership is required, it doesn’t matter. Prof Latigo was just collateral damage [laughs]. There was a call for leadership participation across the country. We have always sharpened our leadership potential from nursery. I was the pencil collector in nursery.
Where are our young people in the economy?
There was a time when the economy thrived and young people’s ideas were possible. A 24-year-old then and now are different. By 27, I was starting on degree number three and consulting for international organizations like the World Bank. We had an ecosystem that appreciated talent.
The people at the top of Uganda’s economy have less interaction with the younger generation and have less knowledge on economic trends that can empower young people. They have left all the work to the private sector which is now overwhelmed by the number of youth ideas being generated.
Uganda is now a geographical enclave where foreign capital is feasting on citizens with the aid of the comprador local politicians and businessmen. We need ‘liberative development’, moving forward.
Which book do you wish to read again?
Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl. It is a deep reflection on our purpose in life, the adversity we face, and the psychology around overcoming adversity – logotherapy.
What kind of music does Okidi listen to?
I listen to revolutionary music, especially Bob Marley. His Redemption Song is a revolutionary anthem. I love poetic and spoken word like Hip Hop by Tupac Shakur, Nas and Kendrick Lamar. I love old-skool music.
Who’s your celebrity crush?
Spice Diana! I love her social intelligence. Although she is a celebrity, she still finds time to relate with society. Not forgetting that she is very beautiful. I even went as far as getting her number during the Chameleone DP homecoming event at Sharing Hall Nsambya. She wasn’t forthcoming; so, I gave up, but when you get her, try to see if we can explore some other option [Laughs].
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