The eleventh commandment, “Thou shalt not give up,” commands that one must persevere in the faceof every obstacle. In this installment of the Footprints Podcast, Anthony Modesto Opio, fondly known as the Stevie Wonder of Uganda, shares defining moments from his seventy-three years of life, from his childhood and career tohis advocacy for societal change and his vision to promote world peace.
Born in 1951 in Banda, Kampala, Anthony recalls the ever-changing nature of his family’s residences due to his father’s work, which required frequent transfers. From Nakawa toEntebbe, Mukono, Lugazi, Bombo, Nakasongola, and Gulu, before eventually returning to Bombo, he experienced constant uprooting. These frequent relocations meant that Anthony had to repeat Primary One three times withinshort spans of time.
He later attended Saint Mary’s College Kisubi for high school, where his interest in music blossomed. He joined the Skylac Jazz Band and became a member of the school guitar club. Tragedy struck when, in an attempt to stop a fight between two boys, he lost his left eye. Multiple surgeries were carried out to try and restore his sight, but the damage was irreversible. This condition significantly hindered his studies during his A Levels. To support himself, Anthony took on various side jobs.
During the period of religious persecution under Idi Amin’s regime, Anthony fled to Kenya in 1977 after the assassination of Archbishop Janani Jakaliya Luwum. Following thepolitical transition ahead of the 1980 elections, he returned to Uganda and was elected leader of the Democratic Party. However, he was deeply troubled by the political atmosphere, which he observed was rooted in “fear and threats” rather than a genuine drive to address citizens’ concerns.
Barely three years into his leadership, Anthony endured a brutal assault by eight soldiers. The attack left him half-dead in a ditch, with his right eye ruptured. Now completely blind, his wife left their marriage, convinced that he would becomea burden.
Refusing to be defined by his disability, Anthony enrolled at the Machakos Blind Training School in Kenya, where he learned carpentry and cooking and even joined a band. These skills enabled him to live independently; he could grow and cook his own food, make furniture, and play musical instruments despite his blindness.
Upon his return to Uganda, he became his own greatest asset, performing at weddings and festivals to earn a living. He used his music with purpose, spreading messages ofself-love and empowerment. His song Black Is Beautiful encouraged Africans to embrace their skin color and reject harmful practices such as bleaching. "No Discrimination" became a rallying cry against stereotypes and the limited opportunities faced by artists with disabilities.
Anthony’s latest goal is to perform his song War is Bad for the Children of the World at the United Nations alongside renowned record producer Lionel Richie. His lifelongvision of promoting peace and harmony is evident throughout his story. He attributes his achievements to discipline and resilience, living proof of the eleventh commandment.
His journey offers a powerful lesson: leadership, whether over oneself or over others, is always a test of perseverance. And in life, regardless of its unpredictable twists, it is our response that determines whether we can successfully navigate transitions or be overcome by them.
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©Blurb written by Divine Karungi
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