Introducing Andrew Onen, the proper Ugandan without proganda , Onen is a Lango from Apala in Northern Uganda . He is a multi-talented individual who wears many hats – a comedian, events MC, graphics designer, and branding/printing artist. Moreover, he embraces the roles of a devoted husband and a loving father.
Beyond his quick-witted humor, Onen is a Telecommunication Engineer by profession . He has also been recognized as a Media Challenge fellow, belonging to the class of 2020. In this interview, I had the opportunity to catch up with him and learn more about his comedy journey so far and the experiences he has encountered along the way.
Why did you join comedy?
I joined comedy to make people laugh and get relieved from any stress stressing them.
Who is your favorite comedian and one that you look up to?
well I have two favorite comedians; Trevor Noah and Mr. Bean. There are two main reasons for this. First, Trevor Noah’s stories and experiences are relatable to mine. He is a South African living in the USA, and I’m a villager of Apala Kampala city Uganda. Second, Mr. Bean’s humor always brings a smile to my face.
Who is your favorite Ugandan musician?
Fresh Daddy, sorry I mean Peter Miles.
What is your best track and by who?
Yoo Leng by Romeo Odong.
For a comedian , what do you do to keep the spark alive in your relationship?
I spark the spark.
What is the most expensive item you own?
my wife’s wedding dress.
Any memorable day in your life that you would want to share.
One of the most memorable moments in my life was the day I first arrived in Kampala. It was a significant turning point as I left my village in Apala and ventured into the bustling capital city of Uganda. The sights, sounds, and energy of Kampala were unlike anything I had experienced before. I was both excited and nervous, eager to embark on new opportunities and face the challenges of adapting to city life. That day marked the beginning of my journey towards pursuing my dreams in comedy and other ventures, and I will always cherish the memories and lessons I gained from that pivotal moment.
Mastering your nerves as you go to stage, how do you go about this?
I get nervous often. I ensure I drink 2 glasses of cold milk before I get on stage. It works for me.
Clean comedy, at such a time like this. Any tips on how you do it?
-Pray
-Stay sober
-Associate with clean content comedians
-Perform to the audience who appreciates my kind of comedy
-Put in mind I have children who can watch my content.
What inspires the clean comedy you do?
My inspiration to doing clean comedy is knowing there is a lot of vulgar comedy out there.
What do you do other than comedy and how have you been able to juggle different roles and responsibilities?
I am an Events MC, Graphic Designer and Branding/Printing Artist. But professionally a Telecommunications Engineer.
What motivates and drives you to keep pushing the boundaries of your success as young entrepreneur and comedian ?
Looking for money and making people happy.
your best learning experience and what was that ?
The Media Challenge Initiative Fellowship provided me with the most enriching learning experience. Throughout the program, I gained extensive knowledge, honed my news anchoring skills to a professional level, and had the privilege of connecting with some of the media industry’s most esteemed professionals. Additionally, it was during this fellowship that I officially commenced my comedy career through the News Laughs show. This opportunity allowed me to explore my comedic talents and integrate humor into my work, opening doors to new and exciting possibilities within the media and entertainment spheres.
So, what led you to transition from studying Telecommunication Engineering at university to becoming a comedian?
Absolutely great question! Comedy has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I found joy in making people laugh, and it became evident that humor was my natural calling. As I grew older, my love for comedy only intensified, and I knew I wanted to share my humor and make a career out of it. While studying Telecommunication Engineering was a valuable academic pursuit, my heart was always drawn to comedy, which ultimately led me to follow my passion and embark on a fulfilling journey as a comedian.
In the next ten years, where do you envision Onen the comedian?
well , I envision myself evolving into a globally recognized brand, with a presence and impact comparable to renowned comedians like Steve Harvey. My goal is to establish shows and performances that resonate with audiences on an international scale and leave a lasting impression in the world of comedy.
Andrew Onen hosted his first comedy special titled APALA TO KAMPALA, the story of a village boy who moved from his village Apala to the capital Kampala, on 4th Nov 2022 at UGANDA’S National Theatre. He set a record of performing for two straight hours with the audience laughing endlessly. He’s set to host his 2nd Comedy Special titled SENSIBLE NONSENSE at National Thratre on 17th November 2023 and we can’t wait to sweat laughs.
I asked Onen to make a joke as we were concluding and he did “growing up I used to be loved by women ..,,,,, I mean pregnant women to be specific because of my height because I was tall enough to pick for them raw mangoes from the trees .”I had a cleanest hearty laugh talking to Andrew Onen , hope you do too.
