Kenneth Kimuli

Kenneth Kimuli (born 23 September 1978) is a Ugandan comedian, playwright and journalist. He is well known as Pablo in the Ugandan comedy circles. He won the first Multi-Choice Stand Up Uganda comedy competition. After losing both parents to HIV/AIDS at an early age, he has formed charity organisations; Pill Power Uganda and Tangaza Arts Centre which aim to support youth living with HIV/AIDS.

Kenneth Kimuli
Born (1978-09-23) 23 September 1978
Mbale, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
Alma materNamasagali University
(B.A Mass Media, Journalism and Creative Writing)
Occupation
  • Journalist
  • Comedian
  • Playwright
Years active2003–present
Known forStand up comedy as Pablo

Early life

Kimuli was born on 23 September 1978 in Mbale to Stephen Isingoma and Enid Kirungi Katungwensi Isingoma. He was the seventh born in a family of nine children.[1] He went to Macknon Kindergarten, Kampala in his nursery, then joined Shimoni Demonstration Primary School.

In 1988, Kimuli's father died of HIV/AIDS.[2] Because of this, the family relocated to Mbarara where he continued his primary schooling in Boma Primary School and later on Bweranyangi Primary School where he did his Primary Leaving Examinations in 1993. in that same year, when he was 14 years old, he lost his mother to HIV/AIDS.[2] Because they had lost both parents, the children were distributed to be taken care of by different relatives who were living in Masindi, Mbarara and Kabarole districts. Kimuli's maternal uncle Stephen Isingoma and his wife Joan Musiime Mushagara became his guardians.[3]

He continued his education in Mbarara High School where he sat his UCE in 1997 and later on UACE in 1999. Kimuli then went to Namasagali University, acquiring a Bachelors degree in Mass Media, Journalism and Creative Writing in 2003[4]

Career

Journalism

After graduation, in 2003, Kimuli started to look for a job but failed to get one. He tried writing articles for newspapers but they were trashed.[5] He then started his own Newspaper called Vanguard but it failed within six months.[1]

In 2004, he joined the Daily Monitor newspaper, where he was a freelance journalist.[6] He worked with the newspaper until 2008.

He was a radio presenter with Power FM 104.1[7] in 2004. This is where he acquired the Pablo name.[8] He ended working with the radio station in 2009.

Between 2006 and 2013 Kimuli was appointed Productions Director of a radio drama called Rock Point 256.[1][9]

In 2009, he joined The Observer Newspaper as a humour columnist.

Comedy

Kimuli attributes his comedy to his parents who he says were humourists of their own generation.[3] While in Mbarara High School, he stood for food prefect just for fun and he won and that's when he knew he was meant for comedy[10]

In 2004, he was assigned by the Daily Monitor newspaper to write an article on Theatre Factory. Afterwards he kept on going back to watch them during rehearsals as he gave them tips. This led to his being invited to join the group.[3] He joined Theatre Factory in 2005.[11]

In 2007, he was invited by Robert Redford to the Sundance Theatre Program in the USA where he shared the stage with celebrated film actors and actresses.[12][13]

In 2009 he won the MultiChoice Stand Up Uganda walking away with $10,000.[14][15] He later started his own weekly show called Pablo Live[11][16] after leaving Theatre Factory.[17] Later on, the show was changed to every last Friday of the month.[18] After eight years of Pablo Live, it closed in 2016 and later reopened almost a year later in 2017.[19]

in February 2010, Kimuli performed at the Comedy Club Live in Lagos, Nigeria. In November, he performed at the Comedy Club Live in Mombasa, Kenya[12]

In 2012, he performed in the Nights of 1000 Laughs in Kampala.[20]

In 2013, He launched a live show called Pablo and the Continental Comedian. This show featured different comedians brought from different parts of Africa like Chibwe Katebe from Zambia, Allan Bloo and Mandy Uzonitsha from Nigeria,[21]

In 2016 he was nominated in the World's Funniest Comedian competition.[22]

Kimuli has mentored other comedians into the industry like Herbert Ssegujja (Teacher Mpamire),[23] and has inspired others like Ronnie McVex to start doing comedy.[24] Through his Pablo Live Comfort Clinic, new comedians like Gocher were able to join comedy.[25] Comedian Patrick Salvador Idringi attributes the lifting of the Uganda comedy industry from scratch to Kimuli and Amooti Omubaranguzi.[26]

In 2019 he was named as one of the highest paid comedians in Uganda[27]

Genre of Comedy

Mainly observational comedy and satire.

Host

In 2016, he hosted the Qwela Christmas party held by Qwela Junction.[28]

In 2017, together with Anne Kansiime, he co hosted a music show by Oliver Mtukudzi in The "Lockdown Show."[29]

Charity Work

In 2013, he organised a fete called Comedy Meets Music that attracted artists, including Zambian gospel singer, Pompi among others, to raise money to help spread information about HIV/AIDS. In 2014, he organised another Comedy Meets Music show which attracted over 10 comedians including Dr. Ofweneke from Kenya and 10 musicians. Proceeds from this show support went to the Zip-up 256 HIV/Aids prevention campaign[30]

In 2013, Kimuli founded the Zip Up Campaign aimed at young people to fight HIV/AIDS. . In 2014, Kimuli partnered with Uganda AIDS Commission in the Zip Up 256 campaign which aimed to reach out to "schools and universities using entertainment and testimonies by youth infected with the virus" .[31]

In 2015, he formed an organisation called Pill Power Uganda which he runs, together with youth living and affected by HIV/AIDS.[2] where he mentors people living with HIV/AIDs[32]

He formed another charity, Tangaza Arts Centre[2] in 2016 which where young people living with HIV/AIDS are armed with life skills. Tebere Art Centre was also formed in the same year.
In 2009, during Easter weekend, together with Power fm, he participated in a reach out program to the prisoners in Luzira Maximum Security Prison that included performing stand up comedy and interactions.[27][33]

In 2016, he partnered Reach A Hand Uganda to sensitize and raise awareness to student leaders and teachers from over 10 different secondary schools on matters concerning HIV/AIDS.[34]

Personal life

Kimuli is married to Karen Hasahya, a former Miss Ugandan contestant and Miss Talent 2003.[35] They met on 24 October 2009 in church. He proposed to her on 14 February 2010[36] and they got married on 4 September 2010[12] by Pastor Gary Skinner[37] of Watoto Church. Together they have two children,[38] Kangye Weishemwe Kimuli Amooti and Kunda Wekitinisa Kirungi Acaali

Kimuli, originally an Anglican, is a Born again Christian. Having been a heavy drinker and smoker, he got saved in after he turned on the television and heard Joyce Meyer preaching.[39]

Kimuli is a Rotarian with Rotary Club of Kampala North

Stage
Production Year(s) Theatre Role(s) Notes Ref.
Lwanda Magere 2001 National Theatre [40]
Prologue in Heaven [40]
One Night Stand 2006 Writer [40]
Buried in The Dark 2006 Director [40]
Madness is Coming 2008 Writer [40]
The Adams [40]
Samuel Buckett's Plays [40]

Awards
Year Nominated work CategoryAward ResultNotesRef.
2008 Buzz Teeniez Awards Best Television Personality Won [41]
2009 Multichoice Stand Up Uganda King of Comedy Won
[15]
2009 Buzz Teeniez Awards Best Television Personality Won [41]
2010 New Vision Publication Readers Opinion Poll Best local actor Won [41]
2012 Edutainment Awards Best performing artist Won [41]
2013 Ugandan Social Media awards Entertainment Best Entertainment Writer Nominated [42]
2013 Young Achievers Awards Performing Arts Outstanding Performing Arts Award Won [43][44]
2016 Laugh Factory Funniest person in the world Nominated [45]
2018 TITANS: Building Nations CEO Global Awards Arts and Media Country winner in Great Lakes Region Won [41]
2018 TITANS: Building Nations CEO Global Awards Arts and Media Regional winner in Great Lakes Region Won [41]
2018 TITANS: Building Nations CEO Global Awards Arts and Media Continental Award Nominated [41]
gollark: It's going to be basically the same - 2 hyperthreaded cores, terrible clock rate.
gollark: I said roughly.
gollark: Or at least roughly the same thing.
gollark: Might be it.
gollark: https://ark.intel.com/products/88197/Intel-Core-m5-6Y57-Processor-4M-Cache-up-to-2_80-GHz

References
  1. Joomlasupport (27 May 2009). "Happiness is surely killing Pablo". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  2. Mutegeki, Geoffrey (8 November 2018). "My dad was given pawpaws as drug for HIV – Pablo". New Vision. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  3. Ainomugisha, Lydia (31 October 2014). "Pablo marks a decade of jokes". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  4. Pike, Andrew (12 August 2008). "The best jokes are about you". newvision.co.ug. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  5. Muhumuza., Dennis D. (26 September 2009). "Saved by grace: What you didn’t know about Uganda’s finest". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  6. Kabugo, Jonathan (25 October 2012). "Date with a celeb: Comedian Pablo meets fan Patricia". Sqoop. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  7. Mwijuke, Gilbert (5 June 2008). "Pablo: The witty stand-up comedian". New Vision. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  8. Nuwagaba, Edwin (29 September 2008). "Kenneth Kimuli". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  9. Musinguzi, Bamuturaki (8 March 2013). "Pablo, the Ugandan who sees humour everywhere". The East African. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  10. Ssejjombwe, Isaac (7 October 2016). "Meet a celeb : How Pablo wants to be remembered". Sqoop. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  11. Vision (29 August 2009). "Has Pablo quit Theatre Factory?". New Vision. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  12. Vision (4 June 2012). "Mom wasn't convinced Pablo would make a good hubby". New Vision. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  13. Abangira, Caesar (30 March 2005). "American theatre artistes here". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  14. Baranga, Samson (10 November 2017). "Pablo Live rebrands into a weekly show". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  15. Taatya, Rafsanjan Abbey (26 May 2009). "Uganda stands up for Pablo". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  16. Nuwagaba, Edwin (11 September 2009). "Pablo stands on his own". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  17. Sqoop, Admin (9 August 2019). "Local comedy is on the rise, are fans getting a fair deal?". Sqoop. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  18. Nasasira, Roland. D (30 November 2015). "Pablo leaves fans wanting more". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  19. Muhindo, Clare (16 November 2017). "Pablo live shows returns with more fun". Sqoop. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  20. Sqoop (20 June 2012). "Idringi for monthly shows in Lagos – Sqoop – Its deep". Sqoop. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  21. Sources:
  22. Manishimwe, Wilson (12 September 2016). "Ugandan comedians nominated in "world's Funniest Person Competition"". New Vision. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  23. Batte, Edgar. R (27 May 2018). "I owe my comedy talent, work ethic to my grandmother – Mendo". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  24. Ssejjombwe, Isaac (19 June 2015). "Date with a celeb : Ronnie Mcvex loves to see people laugh". Sqoop. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  25. Kabuya, Rebecca (24 June 2016). "Gocher, Mbale's top rib cracker". Sqoop. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  26. Murungi, Dorcus (5 August 2018). "I'm what I am because of my family – Salvado –". Sqoop. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  27. Kawalha, Shamim (20 March 2019). "Top Highest Paid Comedians in Uganda Revealed". ChimpReports. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  28. Murungi, Dorcus (13 December 2016). "QWELA JUNCTION DELIVERS UNIQUE SHOW". Sqoop. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  29. Abangirah, Caesar (1 July 2017). "Mtukudzi, Pompi 'lockdown' Kampala". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  30. Batte, Edgar R. (31 October 2014). "Comedy meets Music". Sqoop. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  31. Okoth, Cecilia; Naiga, Aisha (27 August 2014). "New HIV/AIDS campaign launched". New Vision. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  32. Nakibuuka, Beatrice (16 June 2017). "Her uncles offered her pancakes for sex". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  33. Namaganda, Agnes (13 April 2009). "Its not all gloom at Luzira Prison". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  34. Ampurire, Paul (9 March 2016). "Kigozi Tips Students on Business, Economic Empowerment". ChimpReports. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  35. Vision (27 August 2010). "Pablo to wed in hotel". New Vision. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  36. Oluka, Esther (10 September 2015). "The kimulis: A tale of love brewed in church". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  37. Vision (9 September 2010). "Pablo jumps the broom". New Vision. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  38. Independent, The (6 July 2014). "Frankly speaking With Kenneth Kimuli a.k.a Pablo". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  39. Muhumuza, Dennis. D (26 September 2009). "Saved by grace: What you didn’t know about Uganda’s finest". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  40. Tendo, Steven (27 September 2007). "Uganda's Kenneth Kimuli at Sundance celebrations". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  41. Manishimwe, Wilson (10 November 2018). "Pablo scoops two awards". New Vision. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  42. Kaggwa, Andrew (7 November 2013). "Ugandans to be rewarded for social media exploits". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  43. Batte, Edgar. R (23 December 2013). "Young achievers recognised". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  44. Baranga, Samson (22 December 2013). "James Mulwana honoured at Young Achievers awards". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  45. Namara, Irene (20 October 2016). "Salvado makes it to top 20 in world funniest person competition". Matooke Republic. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
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