Comedy Store Uganda (sometimes just Comedy Store or Comedy Store Ug), is a weekly live stand-up comedy show that was created in 2016 by comedian Alex Muhangi, who is also the host since the show’s inception.[1] The show is recorded on Wednesdays at UMA Multi-Purpose Hall Lugogo in Kampala and airs Fridays on NTV Uganda.[2][3]

Comedy Store Uganda
GenreComedy, Reality Show
Created byAlex Muhangi
Directed byAlex Muhangi
Starring
Country of originUganda
Original languagesEnglish, Luganda
Production
Executive producerAlex Muhangi
ProducerAlex Muhangi
Production locations
  • Diners' Lounge Bukoto
  • The 400 Bar and Restaurant Bukoto
  • UMA Main Exhibition Hall Lugogo (Current)
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time6 Hours live, 30 Minutes TV
Original release
NetworkNTV Uganda
ReleaseMay 5, 2016 (2016-05-05)

Comedy Store premiered at Diner's Lounge in Bukoto in May 2016,[4] moved to The 400 Bar in October 2017,[5][6] and in January 2018, the show moved to UMA Main Exhibition Hall in Lugogo.[7] In 2022, After the covid pandemic the show moved to UMA Multi-purpose hall and os held every Wednesday.

Overview

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The show featured a live band, comedy performances, talent showcases, and celebrity musicians’ performances. The show opened with the red carpet and Alex Muhangi interviewed the day’s performers and celebrity guests.

The Undercover Brothers Ug and The Kava Band were the regular live performers in 2017, Jemimah Sanyu with her Unit 446 band in 2018[8]

Comedians from Uganda and the rest of Africa performed at Comedy Store including Eric Omondi from Kenya, Arthur Nkusi from Rwanda, and many others.[9]

Every episode of the show ended with a performance from a guest musician, and since the shows' inception in 2016, it featured; Bebe Cool, Sheebah Karungi, Bobi Wine, Cindy, Navio, Maddox Ssematimba, Jose Chameleone, Juliana Kanyomozi,[10] Eddy Kenzo, Nameless,[11][12] Afrigo Band and others.[13]

 

In 2019, the show awarded its best comedians who were some of the regulars on the show. MC Mariachi won the Best Comedian, Madrat & Chiko won Best Comedy Duo, Mighty Family won Best Upcoming Comedian(s), Maulana and Reign won the Fans’ Choice Award, Bizonto won Best Comedy Group, Amooti Omubalanguzi won Legendary Comedian Award and Senga Justine Nantume Outstanding Performance Act.[14]

The show also introduced a segment called The Chill under the lockdown edition called Stress Clinic, where comedians discuss news that made headlines in Uganda in the previous week, with a dose of comedy.[15]

Cast

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Some of the comedians that have performed at Comedy Store Uganda are;

Themes

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The show's performers tackle different themes ranging from politics, love, family, life in Kampala, and more. Some performers just engage the live audience in wordplay, others perform skits as some tell stories and others perform satirical pieces against the politics and politicians in the country and worldwide.

Filming

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Regular filming of the show started at Diner's Lounge in Bukoto in May 2016, moved to The 400 Bar in October 2017, and in January 2018, the show moved to UMA Main Exhibition Hall in Lugogo until the Covid19 pandemic when it moved to Levels Lounge in Kitante until 2022. The set was returned to UMA Lugogo in 2022.[16] The show has also been filmed in Mbarara and a few other places around the country.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Comedy Store moving to a new venue". Big Eye. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  2. ^ Habre, Muriisa. "Alex Muhangi Shifts Comedy Store Show To A New Venue Again". Chano8. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  3. ^ Ssejombwe, Isaac. "Comedy store and Dinners comedy find new home". Sqoop. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Uganda: Comedy Store Opens in Bukoto". All Africa. Archived from the original on 1 November 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Comedy Store finds new home/". Big Eye. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  6. ^ Eupal, Felix. "Bukoto hosts two competing comedy shows". The Observer. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Comedy Store Moves To UMA Hall". How We. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Alex Muhangi Comedy Store - Jemimah Sanyu- Unit 446 Band". Click For U. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  9. ^ Agaba, Nicholas. "Eric Omondi to Perform as Comedy Store Returns to Lugogo". The Kampala Post. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Juliana Kanyomozi Treats Fans to Ecstatic Show on Comedy Store". Soft Power. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Kenya's Nameless Gets Kampalans Fired Up as Comedy Store Fills UMA Hall". Soft Power. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Top Kenyan singer, comedian to perform in Kampala". The Independent. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Afrigo Band To Perform At Comedy Store UG This Thursday". Ghafla. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  14. ^ Josh, Ruby. "Who won what at the Comedy Store End of Year Awards?". Mbu. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  15. ^ "Comedy Store Uganda Rolls Out 'The Chill' New Segment". Mugibson. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  16. ^ Ssentongo, Patrick. "Comedy Store moves back to its former home in Lugogo". Now Viba. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Comedy Store Brings Life, Laughter And Positive Vibes In Mbarara". The Insider. Retrieved 23 June 2022.