Comedy is one of the most beloved genres on Ugandan television capturing audiences with its humour, relatability and reflections of everyday life.
Behind some of Uganda’s most popular shows are three producers; Conrad Lubwama, Steve Ayeny and Hannington Bugingo, whose creativity and passion have brought laughter into homes across the country.
In episode three of Home of Our Stars Season 3, the trio sat down with host Judithiana Namazzi to talk about what drives their work, where their stories come from and why making people laugh is often more complex than it seems.
Conrad Lubwama, the mind behind Elders Classroom, grew up surrounded by comedy. At just 10 years old, he appeared on his late father Kato Lubwama’s show London Shockas Bidugu which offered him an early glimpse into what would later become his career.
Eight years later after London Shock, Kato created Batabangufu and by then, Conrad was old enough to understand what his father was doing.
“I sought to find out what he was really doing, and then he slowly also started nurturing me into his craft. My love for comedy deepened with time, and when I began to see the financial potential, I knew this could be a career I take on,” Conrad told Judithiana.
The idea for Elders Classroom was sparked by a joke during a drive with his father, whose shaky English became a playful talking point. “We told him to go back to school and he laughed it off that an old man like him couldn’t go back to sit in a classroom. He however said it was a good idea for a show we could explore,” he recalled. That moment later became the concept for a successful TV show.
Steve Ayeny, the producer of Senkyu Boss, Hotel Mara and Crossroads, grew up in a community where TVs were rare and stories were shared in video halls known as bibanda.As a boy, he and his friends couldn’t always afford the fee, so one of them would sweep the hall for a free seat, then return to narrate the film to the others.
“That is how I learned to tell stories andin my community, I became the best storyteller,” he shared with nostalgia. His real-life experiences continue to inspire his work including Hotel Mara, which was born after he and his crew unknowingly booked a night in a motel typically used for short-stay visits. When they planned to stay through the night, they were asked to leave at 2 a.m. because the motel was not intended for overnight guests. The awkwardness of the experience sparked the idea for the show.
Hannington Bugingo, best known for Mizigo Express and Popi, has built a name for himself both on-screen and behind the scenes. But his visibility comes with its own challenges. “Sometimes you can be in a meeting and someone bursts out laughing when you are speaking because they are seeing you as Sam,” he told Judithiana, referring to his Mizigo Express character. “It can be quite challenging when some people don’t take you seriously.”
While comedy may seem effortless on screen, the trio agree it takes sharp observation, timing and persistence. “Jokes keep on growing and evolving depending on the circumstances,” Bugingo said. And as Steve added, “You say a joke and even your loved ones cannot laugh at it and you come out hating everyone thinking they don’t like you.”
“The process can be emotionally demanding,” Steve added; “You write, produce, edit and wait for reactions, only to hear the show wasn’t funny. It is hard to produce comedy,” Steve admitted.
To young creatives trying to break through, their advice is simple,“write a clear, compelling synopsis that communicates your concept strongly and confidently.” Bugingo added, “Be original and create something authentic because no one will refuse to buy content which is original and authentic.”
Each of these producers brings something unique to Uganda’s comedy scene. Elders Classroom puts elders back in school in humorous ways.
Senkyu Boss and Hotel Mara offer laughs rooted in real-life situations while Mizigo Express and Popi capture everyday chaos with heart and humour.
New episodes of Home of Our Starsair every Sunday at 9 p.m. on DStv’s Pearl Magic Prime (Channel 148) and GOtv (Channel 303).
