Bitek Oketch

2007 Winner of the Martin Adler Prize

At Rory Peck Awards 2007 in London, Bitek Oketch, out of Africa for the first time in his life, became the winner of the first ever Martin Adler Prize.

Bitek lives in Gulu, Northern Uganda where, during a terrible two decade-long war, he has worked as a freelance journalist and fixer for film crews. His role has been to help international filmmakers and reporters bring the war to the world's attention. He has frequently risked his own life and on one occasion survived a terrifying helicopter crash in rebel-held territory. 

Accepting his prize from Martin’s brother, Alan Adler, Bitek said: “allow me to salute the family of Martin Adler ….I want the world to know what is happening to my people in the northern part of Uganda. The guns are silent at the moment - but the war is not yet over.”