Odong Stanley (MC Ollo); From Ghetto Hustler to TV & Music Star!

Meet Odong Stanley popularly known as MC Ollo, the host of NBS TV’s Youth Voice show, and a freshly minted music star with his song ‘Nkola Binyumira’ doing well on the airwaves. Getting here hasn’t been rosy for him though, he has had to soldier through the challenges of being a boy from the ghetto.

Odong, who grew up in Acholi quarters in Kireka, describes himself as ‘”a go getter who believes in hard work”. To land his spot on Youth Voice, he had to attend as a member of the live audience of the show for several episodes. “I made sure to contribute during those live interactions until producers noticed that I was capable and passionate,” he says. 

Who is MC Ollo?

I’m MC Ollo also known as Lil Ollo. I am a TV show host, rapper, event MC, event organizer, and youth activist. I’m also the Team Leader and founder of Ollo Xperience, an custom event experience we take to schools and university hostels. 

Life Before NBS

Before coming to NBS it was tough you know! Growing up, I did not think I would work on TV because of my humble upbringing. I was raised in ‘Acholi Quarters’ in Kireka. It’s one of the most local slums in Kampala. I really wanted a better life for myself.

Getting on TV

My journey to NBS started with me mceeing at a school gig. I was a very popular guy at my school St Kizito Namugongo, students loved my vibe because I was really entertaining. A team from Youth Voice, the show I host currently, visited the school, and Humphrey, who hosted it then, offered me the opportunity to host that day. It is then that I realised that I could do TV. 

Working with NBS TV was a dream come true. I’ve always believed in hard work. It was not an easy journey, it took me so many years to be confirmed as the official host of the Youth Voice.

The struggle

I made sure to attend all the shows as a member of the live audience every Saturday so that producers noticed me. Sometimes I wasn’t put on air because of my apperance. I’d walk long distances to make sure I get to the station in time. I sometimes left home at 4am and walked from Acholi Quarters to Media Plaza. I’d also do stone quarrying to get money to buy the clothes I wore on screen. 

Empowering young people

I use my platform to empower young people. I use it to restore hope in their lives because I was not given this kind of opportunity before, so now that I have it I use it well. I have the biggest youth/teen empowerment platform in Uganda, it’s called the Ollo Xperience. Through the Ollo Xperience, I have managed to empower so many teenagers. If I look right now on TV, I would not want to brag but I have a lot of young people I have groomed.

Music

Being in lockdown led me to focus on music, which is my other passion. I’m a rapper and it’s something I’ve been doing since high school. My song ‘Nkola Binyumira’ is doing really well. It’s a big tune, you guys need to check it out on my Youtube Channel Lil Ollo. Every month I will be releasing a music video until December. When lockdown is fully lifted probably and schools open, our events will be back too. 

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