Victor Ochen

Activist Type

Children's Rights

Despite growing up in a camp for internally displaced people, losing family, and living through countless war-related atrocities that have plagued Uganda for most of his life, Victor Ochen strived to find ways to educate himself as an alternative to violence. At age 25, Victor founded the African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET), an organization that works with victims of war to deliver health assistance, promote social tolerance and forgiveness, and call for justice for the victims. In 2015 Victor became the first Ugandan nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Artwork by

Albert Chang

Ugandan art harkens back to the numerous traditions and tribes of the area. This portrait of Victor Ochen is influenced by the delicate linework of Batik paintings, where wax-resistant dyes are applied on different textiles and animal skins. Because of the constant warfare in the area, Ugandan artists are often short of creative supplies for their work. The disparate elements that compose Victor Ochen’s portrait are representative of the makeshift techniques artists in the region have adopted.

Uganda

Capital

Kampala

Founded

October 9, 1962

Demonym

Ugandan