Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
AS Africa recently basked in the glow of its own celebration, the continent’s moniker as the “motherland” was further solidified by its talented individuals shining brightly in their fields.
Among these stars is Anne Kubiryaba Kansiime, a Ugandan comedian known for her infectious humour and aptly nicknamed “Africa’s Queen of Comedy.”
Kansiime’s comedic genius transcends borders. She has not just conquered Uganda, but the entire continent with her side-splitting routines. Zimbabwean audiences were fortunate to witness her brilliance first-hand eight years ago when she performed at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare. Her meticulously crafted jokes and hilarious vocal delivery left audiences clutching their sides in laughter.
Saturday Chronicle recently caught up with the multi-award-winning comedian who reflected on her remarkable journey — from a “simple village girl” to a continental comedic sensation.
“I’m proof that good things come in small packages. But I am secretly praying that my son inherits his father’s height,” Kansiime said.
Kansiime’s childhood in Mparo, Rukiga District was filled with fond memories — from the priviledge of having rice and chicken on Sundays to the adventure of driving up steep, muddy roads to Lake Bunyonyi.
“The fear was part of the experience,” she reminisced. The transition from social skits to stand-up comedy was a deliberate move for Kansiime, as she sought to “have something to export” beyond just acting.
Her creative and comedic exploits have led to her being credited for writing her own narrative when it comes to comedy and depiction of African life humorously.
“The creative process alone should be its own movie,” she said, describing the challenges of writing, editing, and performing in front of audiences who are “willing to follow you into a volcano.”
Kansiime’s breakout from Uganda was a combination of “good timing, management, and a strong desire to never go back to struggling.”
But staying on top, she says, is more about “how you work and who you work with.”
She has turned her home into a creative hub, filming content and collaborating with her talented team.
Kansiime’s ties to Zimbabwe go deeper than just performing in the country but also partnering with multi-disciplined shapeshifter, Carl Joshua Ncube.
Back in the day, the pair were involved in a deal that saw Anne Kansiime Television (AKtv) being incorporated on Ncube’s Feel Good Africa online TV platform on Facebook’s Watch parties.
Motherhood has also become a central part of Kansiime’s life. Her son, Selassie Ataho, is a “partner in crime” who is involved in the creative process and accompanies her on gigs.
Kansiime’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her establishment of “Kansiime Backpackers”, a lodge in Kabale, Uganda that she envisioned as a private getaway, but has since transformed into an affordable escape for others.
“It’s also a family legacy and a reminder of my parents and friends who helped me build it,” she said. In addition to her stand-up comedy, Kansiime has conquered the small screen with productions like Don’t Mess With Kansiime, Girl From Mparo, and Chronicles Of Obuntu.
She is also using her platform to give underpriviledged children access to education through the Kansiime Foundation.
Kansiime’s talent extends beyond comedy. With her musician boyfriend Tukahiirwa Abraham aka Skylanta, by her side, Kansiime has released a collection of songs, including My Africa, Mparo, Mwanjari and Selassie Feeling which features Skylanta. “Music was actually my first love, so it has always been a part of my portfolio,” she revealed.
The comedian’s latest venture is a family reality TV show, “KanSeeMe,” which is being aired on DStv.
“Reality TV is my third foray into production, after doing skits and a sitcom, and I think I’ve gained the experience I need to go deeper into bigger productions,” she said.
As for advice to aspiring young creatives, Kansiime emphasises the importance of balancing passion with business acumen.
“Follow your passion, but lead with your brain. Your artistic passion, no matter how strong or genuine it is, will take you nowhere if you don’t learn the other aspects of the industry like finances, publicity, management, etc,” she said.
With her continued success and her son Selassie growing up in the industry, the future looks brighter for Africa’s comedy queen. —Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
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