Comedians launch umbrella association

Jan 30, 2020

The association was registered and named The Uganda Comedians Association (TUCA)

 

Following the death of prominent comedian, King Kong in 2018, the face of Uganda's comedy industry was tainted by disorganisation and lack of unity.

This was primarily because many of the country's top comedians didn't show up at the burial of the fallen comedian.

That inspired comedians Patrick ‘Salvador' Idringi and Hannington Bugingo to start up an association which would bring together all the country's comedians under one umbrella.

"After discussing with Salvador about the idea of having a comedians' association, we reached out to several other comedians who gladly welcomed the thought. A series of meetings were held at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi. The outcome of those meetings was a meeting with legal brains, Silver Kyagulanyi, who further advised on the way forward," said Bugingo.

 

Later, the association was registered and named The Uganda Comedians Association (TUCA). On Wednesday at Atmosphere Lounge in Kololo, TUCA was officially unveiled to the public.

Emma Napoleon, the interim Spokesperson of TUCA, unveiled the interim committee with members like Bugingo as the interim president, Salvador as the vice president, Abbey Mukiibi as the patron, and Patriko Mujuuka as vice patron among others.

Some of the association members include Kenneth ‘Pablo' Kimuli, Omukebete, Anne Kansiime, Okello Okello, Richard Tuwangye, Cathy Bagaya, Emma Kakai, Daniel Kalela, Herbert Ssegujja, Alex Muhangi, and Senga Sebbanga among others.

While speaking at the launch, Salvador revealed that all those comedians who will subscribe to the association with an annual fee of sh100,000 will, in turn, be able to benefit various programs of the association.

enneth ugabi provided entertainment during the event hoto by eagan sempijjaKenneth Mugabi provided entertainment during the event. Photo by Reagan Ssempijja

 

He said that TUCA will strive to secure health insurance for all its members in a bid to end the habit to organising car wash campaigns whenever a comedian becomes incapacitated.

"More to this, the association will help first time travellers in the comedy business to process all travel documents with ease so that they have a smooth time spreading their wings abroad," said Salvador.

Abbey Mukiibi urged all comedians who want a future in the trade to join the association and participate in all its programs.

He added that going forward, vulgarity in the business should be done away with because that is not comedy, giving an example of himself as being a non-vulgar comedian for the last 20 years.

Bugingo ended by assuring the public and comedians that with this association, comedy will be respected even more because of the organisation.

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