KAMPALA – Ugandan female comedians held a comedy show at the National Theatre last Friday to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The show, named Arise Woman Comedy Jam, had a mixed line-up of talents. The host, Agnes Akite provided the polished comedy lines, while others like Maggie Debwaiserian were crass.
Titan Gladys and Nancy Kobusheshe were a no-show “because they had personal challenges to fix which couldn’t allow them to be part of the show,” the audience was told.
Their absence forced the show organizer to invite Fun Factory female comedians. What had been advertised as a Stand-Up show then got a well-deserved break with Sketch comedy, something the folks at Fun Factory have perfected over the years.
The group kept thematic, with skits revolving around challenges of women.
The show host also gave an opportunity to Kaabu Swaibah, who is regarded as the youngest female stand-up comedian in Uganda. According to Akite, Kaaba has the potential to become a star because she discovered her talent at an early stage.
“She is 16 years old and she always attends rehearsals during holidays,” she said. Kaabu, whose skits revolved around a young girl dreaming about becoming a great woman, has also performed at various other shows. She shared a stage with Nigerian protégé, and comedian Emmanuel in Kampala a few years ago.
Maggie Debwaiserian’s slum tales were cathartic. She made the audience laugh at the sorry state of sanitation and poor housing.
Other performers included Northern Uganda-based Patricia Mitirikpwe Patience Laker.
Laker’s poetry was however no joking subject. The organisers blamed the low turn-up of people on the show being held during Ramathan.
