Reaping. Many comedians are beginning to benefit from the art by creating content for Pay TV. PHOTO /COURTESY
Process by process: Comedy in Uganda is among the fast growing sectors on the entertainment scene. It has been a gradual process to get to where it is now. Isaac Ssejjombwe explores the comedy industry over the last 10 years to where it is today.
Ten years ago, stand-up comedy was only limited to just a few platforms. There was mic check at Theatre Labonita, Pablo Live and probably Brain Wash of Omukebete, Smart Ayokyayokya, Ken Van Muk, Dickens Perv and Ronnie McVex.
Of course, other platforms such as Theatre Factory (later Fun Factory), Amarula Family and Kandolindoli were practicing skit comedy at various venues around town. Thereafter, other platforms such as The Punchliners sprung up with an entire generation of new comedians. Then Comedy Files at Theatre Labonita opened up and comedy shows became a weekly fixture.
Comedy also rose from just one comedian to comedians performing as duos, so much that today there are a number of duos plying the trade, including Madrat and Chiko, Da Talkers, Maulana and Reign and Maitz Family, among others.
Also comedy currently is a better recognised art form and comedians are going out of their way to release one man shows and more curated shows such as Africa Laughs, The Ghetto Girl show, The Comedy Black Friday, Arise Woman Comedy Jam, among others.
According to Timothy Nyanzi, a comedian, comedy mentor and trainer, comedians today are respectable individuals in society.
“Comedy is now a career option and it is no longer looked at as an art form for failures. Comedians have made a face for themselves and are hosting events, weddings, radio shows etc. We have comedians representing across borders,” he says.
Formation of an association
Five years ago, the Ugandan comedy sector took a decision to start The Uganda Comedians Association (TUCA) that would bring together all comedians under one umbrella.
This was after they were tainted by disorganisation and lack of unity after the death of prominent comedian, King Kong.
READ FULL STORY HERE>>> Is Ugandan comedy heading in the right direction?
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