Jokes aside: He was a finalist in Britain’s Got Talent 2017 after getting a golden buzzer from Judge Amanda Holden and now the Zambian stand-up comedian, Daliso Chaponda, will headline a show for the first time in Uganda organised by comedian Patrick ‘Salvado’Idringi.
Someone in Uganda would like to understand how you became a Zambian-born Malawian living in England.
When I was born, my parents were refugees from Malawi living in Zambia. Hastings Kamuzu Banda our old president who served from 1964 to 1994 had beef with my father so he run away to exile before he could get locked up.
Where did you run to?
We moved to Canada and this is actually where I decided to take on comedy as a career. In Canada, my career did not work out because they kicked me out earlier than expected because of Visa issues. Comedy had already ‘refused’ in Malawi because we did not have money and the President wasn’t on good terms with my father. It was in England when God answered my prayers and that is where I built a comedy career that still stands strong until now.
You are coming to Uganda for the second time but this time headlining a show; tell us about this experience.
Well, I have always wanted to come to Uganda for a comedy show and the first time the opportunity came, I did not come through because of the pandemic. The second time is here and I believe this time it is real and it is happening.
Whose idea was it and for how long had you wanted to headline a show in Uganda?
Let us be honest. I should have headlined the first time but it did not happen although I was 100 percent ready because my jokes are always fire. The idea of coming to Uganda has always been mine and this time round, I am coming for my Comedy Tour named ‘Wakanda Laughter’. I had wanted to do it in Uganda first but it did not happen; it took a while and finally, here we are, and the show is on.
When it comes to Uganda’s comedy industry, how would you describe it to your Zambia- Malawi- England people?
Uganda has got some amazingly talented comedians such as Patrick Salvado and Ann Kansiime, but they do not have enough shows yet. The comedy industry is growing and the potential is there, so I look forward to seeing the scene grow bigger and better. I hope my show at Labonita tonight can help show how international voices and local voices mesh well…….CONTINUE READING…….
