Kasule Douglas Benda
Last evening, Film Club hosted yet another inspiring session, this time with Ugandan-British actor Arnold Oceng as our guest speaker. I had the honor of moderating what turned out to be a rich, engaging, and eye-opening conversation.
How it all came together is a testament to the power of social media when used meaningfully. I had shared news about Arnold’s visit to Uganda on my socials, and shortly after, Pascal reached out to explore the possibility of him engaging with the local film fraternity. Arnold himself was equally enthusiastic about connecting with Ugandan creatives, and in no time, the session was set.
During the discussion, Arnold opened up about his journey. He shared how he and his mother fled Uganda when he was just one year old due to the LRA war in Northern Uganda, eventually settling in the UK where he has lived ever since. This trip marked his very first time back home, making it a deeply personal and significant visit to reconnect with family and his roots.
Arnold revealed that his acting career began at the tender age of six after his mother came across a casting call in a newspaper. She sent in his photo for a children’s TV show audition, and he was cast in Grange Hill. That moment not only earned him a role but also a talent agent, setting him firmly on his professional acting path. He spoke fondly of his mother’s pivotal role in his journey, emphasizing how she has been his anchor and the force that keeps him grounded. He reminded us all that family is not only biological but also the people you intentionally choose to walk with, those who see you as a person first, not just a star, and who help you stay aligned with your purpose.
One of the strongest takeaways from Arnold’s talk was his reminder about the importance of humility and kindness in this industry. He cautioned against letting success cloud how we treat others, stressing that every person on a set matters. The runner today could very well be the producer or director tomorrow, and how you treat people shapes the opportunities that may (or may not) come your way later. His message was clear: respect everyone, do good work, and always strive to be better than before.
The session was vibrant, with Arnold answering numerous questions from the audience. We also explored exciting possibilities for collaborations between Ugandan filmmakers and creatives in the UK and Hollywood, conversations I am personally committed to following up on.
On a personal note, it warmed my heart to realize that Arnold is the fourth UK-based Ugandan creative I’ve had the privilege of interacting with, after Ivanno Jeremiah and Sheila Atim, both whom I hosted previously at my school. Then film sound technician Hosea Ntaborwa who I talked to virtually when he got the Emmy nomination. It is encouraging to know that these trailblazers are always open to collaboration including featuring in some locally made projects that tell positive stories. Hopefully, next on my list will be Daniel Kaluuya and others paving the way abroad.
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