After a brief hiatus, Arise Woman! Comedy Jam made its highly anticipated return on March 7, 2025, at the National Theatre, delivering an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, music, and poetry. Known for championing female comedians and celebrating women in entertainment, the event once again proved why it remains a vital platform for women’s voices in Uganda’s comedy scene.
Since its debut on March 8, 2019, Arise Woman! Comedy Jam—the brainchild of comedienne Akite Agnes—has provided a stage where female comedians can truly shine. This year marked its six-year anniversary, and the 2025 edition did not disappoint. The night featured a stellar lineup, including The Fun Factory ladies Nina Katamba, Cathy Bagaya, and Veronica Namanda, as well as Kaabu and Maggie De Bwaiserian. Their performances had the audience in stitches, while additional acts from vocal artist Mitirikpwe and poet Laker Patience brought an added artistic diversity to the evening.
However, Arise Woman! Comedy Jam didn’t arrive without its challenges. Following the decline of Queens of Comedy, once a significant platform for female comedians, the event sought to fill the void but also faced setbacks. After several successful years, the show was forced to take a hiatus due to issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Akite Agnes’ recovery after a violent attack in late 2023. Despite these hurdles, its return in 2025 was a testament to resilience and determination.
Reflecting on her journey, Akite shared, “If women truly understood and appreciated the power of unity, they would uplift each other more instead of tearing each other down.” With renewed passion, Akite reignited the vision of Arise Woman! Comedy Jam, expanding it to create lasting spaces for women in comedy, music, and poetry—this time, it’s here to stay.
Despite a lower turnout, the comedians delivered an unforgettable performance. Akite, the show’s host, recalled advice from Dr. Hilary Okello Comedy: “Even if there are three people in the audience, perform for them with the same energy as if it’s a full house… those are your real fans.” The performances were filled with energy and heart from start to finish.
The evening kicked off with Mitirikpwe, whose beautiful Acholi songs captured the audience’s attention. The highlight was her rendition of Iyee, a song the crowd eagerly echoed.
Next, Laker Patience took the stage, captivating the audience with her poetic performance. She began with a powerful piece about women empowering themselves before seamlessly transitioning into her second poem, “Who Are We?”—a thought-provoking exploration of situationships. Laker closed her set with a sensual poem, leaving a lasting impression.
Maggie d’Bwaiserian brought her signature humor to the stage, diving straight into how women these days also have “side cocks” (men on the side). She quipped that women need to tread carefully, as men don’t only cheat with women but sometimes with other men as well. Her bold, no-holds-barred comedy had the crowd roaring with laughter and set a light-hearted tone that would carry through the rest of the night.
Akite introduced the Fun Factory ladies—Nina Katamba, Cathy Bagaya, and Veronica Namanda—as the “ancestors” she had admired on TV since Primary 2. The ladies’ flawless delivery during twoseparate skits demonstrated exactly why they are regarded as one of Uganda’s top sketch comedy groups.
Then, 16-year-old Kaabu took the stage, showcasing the skills of a seasoned veteran despite her youth. She captivated the audience for a full 20 minutes, with the highlight of her set being the heartfelt story of receiving her very first love letter in school—a moment that brought both laughter and nostalgia.
Just as the audience was enjoying the laughs, male comedian Seswa made a surprise entrance, crip walking onto the stage to the iconic beats of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s Still Dre. His energetic arrival had everyone’s attention, and he kept the good vibes rolling by presenting Akite with a self-portrait pencil drawing. After lightening the mood with a few more jokes, the stage was set for more entertainment.
The Fun Factory ladies then took the stage with Akite joining them for the final skit. The collaboration was electric, as Akite seamlessly fit into their dynamic, adding her unique flair to the already hilarious routine. Together, they delivered a performance that had the entire audience in stitches.
As the night neared its end, Akite took the stage once more, showcasing her exceptional hosting skills. She tackled a wide range of topics, effortlessly weaving together everything from car GPS systems to heartbreaks and even the challenges of giving birth at a young age. With each punchline, she kept the crowd roaring with laughter, closing out the night on a high note and ensuring no one was ready for the evening to end.
The night culminated in a curtain call, where the entire lineup, including comedians Anne Kansiime, Okello Okello, Dr. Hilary Okello, Don Andre, Jacques Rwothumio, Emmanuel Ekeesit, and Timothy Nyanzi, took the stage for one last roast. The audience remained riveted, cheering for more, and had the curtain not come down, the comedians likely would have kept going all night.
With the energy still buzzing long after the curtain came down, the audience left eager for the next edition, knowing that Arise Woman! will continue to deliver moments of brilliance for years to come.
