Christopher Ocen (@ocenchris) – WordPress user profile

Christopher Ocen

Server Admin & Technical Support Specialist at SMAT Marketing

@ocenchris Kampala joined Mar 2022

ocenchris.com github.com/chrisjrocen Slack: @ocenchris

Teams Core Performance Core Documentation Hosting Plugins Polyglots Themes TV

Bio

With experience in custom theme and plugin development, I specialize in optimizing WordPress websites for speed, SEO, and user experience. I have hands-on expertise in PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and MySQL, with a solid understanding of web standards, WordPress core functions, and APIs.

I thrive on delivering fast, scalable, and SEO-friendly websites while maintaining clean, efficient code. My experience working in collaborative environments has honed my ability to contribute to feature development, enhance back-end processes, and ensure web applications meet quality and performance standards. I’m driven by continuous improvement and am always eager to learn and apply new technologies to enhance both user and developer experiences.

Interests

Music, Walking, Poetry

WordPress Origin Story

I started my journey with WordPress as a web designer, primarily using page builders and templates to create websites. However, as I worked with clients who had unique needs and specific requirements, I realized the limitations of pre-built solutions. This challenge pushed me to learn customizations and delve deeper into WordPress development. Over time, I honed my skills in custom theme and plugin development, and this journey led me into the exciting world of creating bespoke solutions tailored to each client’s needs. This evolution from designer to developer has expanded my expertise and passion for WordPress, allowing me to deliver more powerful and customized web experiences.

Badges

CODE

1 badge

Plugin Developer

COMMUNITY

1 badge

WordCamp Speaker '22

POLYGLOTS

1 badge

Translation Contributor '24

Current Job

Server Admin & Technical Support Specialist

Nov 2025 – Present

SMAT Marketing

Provide technical support to clients by troubleshooting WordPress, hosting, email, and DNS issues across communication channels, building client confidence through reliable resolutions.

Perform website migrations and configure backups for hosting accounts, ensuring smooth transitions and protected client data with minimal downtime.

Set up and configure hosting and email accounts, accelerating client onboarding and delivering reliable, error-free go-live.
Configure and troubleshoot DNS records (MX, TXT, CNAME, A) to ensure correct routing and resolve email and website delivery issues.

Monitor server reliability and resolve server-related tickets for faster issue resolution and smoother overall performance.

Job History

Technical Support Associate

Jan 2025 – May 2026

World Host Group (Hosting.com)

Resolved 15+ live chats or 25 support tickets per day with a 30-minute average resolution time, maintaining high customer satisfaction across email and chat.

Diagnosed and fixed WHM/cPanel, hosting, and DNS issues for a diverse customer base, improving system stability through targeted troubleshooting.

Investigated and resolved front-end and back-end website errors and performance issues across multiple environments, achieving a 25% faster restoration rate.

Executed email setups, SSL installations, and DNS configurations, contributing to a 35% improvement in setup reliability and stronger website security.

Performed website migrations and backups and monitored site uptime, minimizing client downtime and ensuring continuity of service.

Managed concurrent support tickets in a fast-paced environment, improving queue flow by roughly 22% through accurate, timely task management.

WordPress Technical Consultant

Jan 2023 – Dec 2024

Kanzu Code (U) Ltd

Built and customized WordPress websites using page builders (Elementor, Divi, WPBakery) alongside custom themes and plugins, delivering tailored client solutions.

Led the technical build of the MTN Uganda and MTN Sports websites, increasing stability and performance by over 40% using the MTN Vivid WordPress theme.

Built and supported WooCommerce stores, configuring products, payments, and shipping for client e-commerce sites.
Worked across PHP and MySQL and integrated third-party APIs to expand platform functionality, improving operational efficiency by approximately 28%.

Managed change requests and client updates through a ticketing system, achieving faster turnaround and more consistent service.

Applied SEO best practices and tools during site builds to improve client search visibility and site structure.

WordPress and PHP Developer

May 2022 – Oct 2022

Media Uganda

Designed and developed responsive WordPress sites using custom PHP, themes, and page builders, improving load times and increasing user interaction by nearly 30%.

Wrote optimized PHP modules and resolved recurring bugs, reducing error rates by approximately 25%.
Implemented front-end features with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for consistent, responsive layouts across devices.

Supported go-live and post-deployment updates, minimizing errors and improving launch success.

Key Accomplishments

Additional WordPress sites: tbnetworkafrica.com, thewegandareview.org, wegandagallery.com, gigsug.com, hesedix.com, atesodictionary.com, roduzacollection.com, kerawapartners.com, chrxdigital.com, bhs.sc.ug

Enterprise Uganda (enterprise.co.ug) — Developed a custom WordPress child theme to implement a Figma design.

Exit Links Manager (wordpress.org/plugins/exit-links-manager) — I created a lightweight WordPress plugin, published on the official WordPress.org repository, that creates an intent page notifying users before they visit an external link.

Recent impact

Score weights high-impact work (commits, releases, approved translations, props) at 3x routine activity.

Last 30 days

0contributions

high0

medium0

score0

Last 90 days

1contribution

high0

medium1

score1

Last 12 months

3contributions

high0

medium3

score3

Team focus

Across 7 teams, with no team-attributable contributions in the last 365 days

Contributions

Type

March 2026

Mar 24 Tue · 17:58

Meta med

Completed the course WordPress meetup organizer training on learn.wordpress.org

Mar 16 Mon · 09:19

Meta med

Wrote a comment on the post Twenty Twenty-Seven default theme: Call for Volunteers, on the site Make WordPress Core:
Hello, I am interested in contributing to the new theme. Thank you!

September 2025

Sep 26 Fri · 06:00

Forums med

Posted a reply to Plugin, on the site WordPress.org Forums:
There is a list of supported payment options on the official documentation.

January 2024

Jan 11 Thu · 12:34

Polyglots high

Translated 8 strings on translate.wordpress.org.

August 2023

Aug 06 Sun · 12:23

Polyglots med

Suggested 20 strings on translate.wordpress.org.