Being born right into a rich household with affluent companies and choosing a distinctly completely different way of life, characterised by quite a few hobbies and a penchant for partying, was some of the difficult choices the late journalist Rosario Achola Odido made in her 45 years. years of life on earth.
When Rosa, as she was affectionately identified to many, handed away in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, on Wednesday morning, many questioned her option to stay in Kenya fairly than Uganda, the place her mom, Maria Odido, a personal and reserved particular person, managed to prosper. Private and household companies.
Shut associates revealed that Rosa selected to prioritize the life she wished above her household's expectations, a choice that reportedly met with the disapproval of her mom, who initially wished her to hitch the household enterprise.
Throughout her greater than 5 years in Kenya, Rosa's life skilled vital adjustments, marked by a mixture of feelings and challenges. In a Fb put up from March 2020, Rosa hinted at suicidal ideas, reflecting the struggles she confronted on the time. Nevertheless, with the assist of pals like Patrick Oyulu, who offered her with emotional and monetary help, she managed to beat her difficulties. Oyulu, who had beforehand labored intently with Rosa at The Promoting Agency (TAF), owned by her mom and Miriam Odaka, recalled the time they spent collectively within the mid-1990s.
Regardless of being solely 16 years previous on the time, Rosa enthusiastically helped Oyulu and his group with numerous duties, demonstrating her willingness to study concerning the promoting business. Her enthusiasm for the inventive facets of promoting led her to accompany Oyulu on media journeys, providing her assist.
Rosa's versatility prolonged past journalism to the inventive fields of artwork and promoting. After shifting from Uganda to Nairobi seven years in the past, she established her personal manufacturing firm, Abyssinian Ronin Productions, the place she produced a journey present highlighting vacationer locations and leisure venues throughout Africa, selling home tourism. The present, titled FOMO (Worry of Lacking Out), aired on YouTube and appeared on ATC Information, the place Ella Rosa served as a contributing editor.
Beforehand, she held positions as editor-in-chief and de facto head of programming on the now-defunct File Tv Community Uganda, The Impartial journal and Radio One, and had a quick stint at Capital FM within the early 2000s.
Describing her ardour for journalism, Rosa as soon as stated, “I’ve a wonderful broadcasting voice and robust presentation abilities with the power to carry out in entrance of the microphone with fashion.” She highlighted her capacity to attach with individuals from all walks of life and her intensive community of stories and data sources in East Africa.
Kenneth Lukwago Anderson, who labored intently with Rosa at Radio One, praised her dedication and enthusiasm for studying. Her fellow journalists additionally bear in mind Rosa as somebody who pursued tales with out worry. Nation Media Group journalist Gabriel Buule recalled Rosa's bravery in the course of the protests and her dedication to capturing essential moments, even in harmful conditions. He highlighted her position in questioning the actions of the Ugandan police and her protection of press freedom, citing her involvement within the 2013 Every day Monitor siege protest.
All through her greater than 20-year journalistic profession, Rosa carried out unique interviews with notable figures reminiscent of former US President Invoice Clinton, former ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, economist Joseph Stiglitz, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, Subcomandante of the Lord's Resistance Military, Common Caesar Acellam, and jazz musicians Chuck Loeb, Gerald Albright and Marion Meadows.
Odido advised Sunday Monitor that his daughter had an innate expertise for visible arts. Rosa's journey as a self-taught painter flourished with recognition from the start, reaching the coveted Artist of the Yr award at her highschool commencement in England in 1996. From there, her creative endeavors spanned continents. In 2000, for instance, she captivated audiences along with her solo exhibition in Uganda titled Are you Skilled?
Rosa's work has additionally appeared in galleries within the Netherlands and contributed to the esteemed undertaking 32 Levels East: Historical past in Progress-Sidamu Nyuma, curated by Andrea Stultients. Additionally to her credit score had been showcases in distinguished locations such because the Afriart Gallery in 2013, the Nommo Gallery in 2003, the Design Agenda Gallery in the identical 12 months and the Okapi Gallery in 2000.
Past the canvas, Rosa leveraged her artwork, poetry, and unconventional way of life to catalyze discourse on poignant matters reminiscent of politics, love, intercourse, and social disparities. Via her multifaceted expressions, she skillfully communicated nuanced messages, eschewing clamor for a extra refined however resonant impression.
Rosa's creative imaginative and prescient delved into the complexities of human psychology and the multifaceted nature of identification. Her surreal portraits, performed with oils, pastels and acrylics, embodied a fusion of actuality and creativeness. Specifically, she included discovered objects into her works, including a tangible depth that transcends conventional two-dimensional artwork types.
Along with her prolific creative output, Rosa took on management roles inside the arts group, serving as vice chairman of the Uganda Visible Artists Affiliation in 2007.
Tragedy struck on January four, 1994, when he misplaced his father simply two weeks earlier than showing for his O-Degree finals in London. Regardless of this profound loss, she returned to Uganda for her father's funeral after which resumed her schooling, finishing her remaining A-level college exams earlier than enrolling on the College of London to review enterprise. Nevertheless, she quickly realized that college life was not for her and, after a 12 months of research, she made the troublesome determination to drop out.
Her father's dying had an enduring impression on her, and her mom famous that she was by no means the identical afterward. Upon returning to Uganda, she joined her mom within the household enterprise, nevertheless it grew to become clear that her true passions lay elsewhere. Embracing her love for artwork and media, she formally transitioned into these fields. She additionally returned to Kampala College and pursued her earlier diploma in enterprise that she had deserted.
Her adventurous spirit led her to an internship at Sanyu FM, adopted by positions at Capital FM and Radio One. Nevertheless, she was not one to remain stagnant, always in search of new experiences and challenges. This dynamic way of life of hers allowed her to forge quite a few friendships and connections as she moved from one firm to a different.
A decade in the past, she stated goodbye to radio and ventured into impartial journalism, drawn to the lure of capturing compelling tales via the lens of her digicam. Her work took her to battle zones reminiscent of Somalia and South Sudan.
In keeping with her mom, Rosa had been experiencing well being issues lately. Two weeks in the past she sought medical consideration and was recognized with a hernia. Following medical recommendation, she was shortly operated on, which she was profitable. Subsequently, Rosa returned to her rented condominium in Nairobi, the place she maintained communication along with her household, indicating a gradual restoration.
Nevertheless, earlier this week, Rosa started experiencing extreme ache and problem respiratory, signs she had not beforehand reported. Regardless of her hopes that she would get well, her situation quickly deteriorated, culminating in her collapse and subsequent dying.
Preparations are being made for the funeral which can happen subsequent Saturday at his ancestral residence, simply over 4 and a half hours from Kampala, on the Kenyan facet of the border.
He leaves behind three kids, two daughters and a son, all residing in Uganda.
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Rosa was born Rosario Achola Odido on October 28, 1978 in Nairobi, Kenya, because the first-born baby of her dad and mom, Maria Odido and the late Alfonse Odido. As she grew up along with her two sisters, Angie Odido and Andrea Odido, in addition to a brother, she confirmed distinctive intelligence from a really younger age. She began college at age three and superior shortly, impressing her educators to the purpose that she was promoted to first grade at simply 5 years previous whereas attending the Kampala French Faculty.
His academic journey continued with a quick interval at Braeburn Excessive Faculty in Nairobi, earlier than shifting to Bedgebury Faculty in Goudhurst, Kent, United Kingdom. Throughout her time at Bedgebury, an IQ take a look at, required for admission, returned outcomes that astonished her educators, indicating the very best rating they’d seen in 25 years.