A full house at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village’s biggest tent, Gen Z comedy show made history in Rwanda’s comedy scene on March 21. By 7pm there entrance of the main gate had a long queue that reached down the street. It caused commotion as many revelers tried to force their way into the venue, delaying the show, but security guards managed to get the crowd in safely. Fally Merci took the stage and thanked the crowd who surprised him with how big they turned in numbers. The comedian and brains behind the show told the crowd that he was nervous for taking a big tent and often had thoughts of getting some of the chairs outside thinking that people would be few. He immediately welcomed the first comedian on stage who was then followed by comedians Isaac, Dudu, Rumi, Mavide and pazzo, Muhinde, Clement and Umushumba who gave the crowd the laughter that they came for. Comedian Muhinde as usual gave people a good laugh in his jokes about being short that fans know him well for. “People always accuse me of making jokes about the height of singers Okkama and Kenny Sol, of course I can’t talk about problems that I have never faced,” he joked. Rusine also cracked jokes in his drunkenness style that had people laughing his entire time on stage. He joked about how Gen Z had become a family and that they should make a cemetery business together. He was later joined by Merci who acted how Rwandan sports commentators would talk if they were hosting a funeral. Comedian Arthur Nkusi also took the chance to announce that they were expected a baby when he joked: When you are expecting a new baby, parents normally pray for the kid to have certain physical similarities with each of them basing on who has the best. Let us all normalize that being ugly is okay. The time you find yourselves not praying for any similar physical appearance to your kid, just know that you’re ugly and that’s okay. He was also invited during the Meet Me Tonight session where he applauded Merci for the great work he had done so far. He noted that any emerging comedian and artist should look up to him. “I am honestly so touched in every way possible because for the first time, I now have a platform to perform at. From today let’s all agree that Merci is one of the best comedians, event organizers and entrepreneurs,” he said. Among other comedians who put on a show were Rusine, Arthur, Dr Nsabi and Killaman duo and Uganda’ s Dr Hillary Okello and Salvador. Dr Hillary Okello’s performance was one of the best of the night given how the fans were all smiles and trying to catch their breaths from the funny jokes. “ I am here to complain how in Uganda we have so much to change. Starting from mosquitoes because last night I spent a night in Kigali and your mosquitoes are very friendly. Here they sing for you in a romantic way like Element in 'Kashe',” he joked. Coming as the last performer Salvador gave the crowd the best time highlighting how blessed Rwandans are to have a president who cares while Ugandans care for the president. To celebrating Gen Z Comedy's anniversary, Merci brought cake on stage and cut it with the Minister of Youth and Arts, Dr Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima as fans cheered on. Merci said that the celebration marks the consistency of the show since its inception till this date. He also noted that the celebration is for fans who were with him since the show’s first appearance at Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi Incubation Center in Rugando to Mundi Center and now KCEV. The show brought together famous public figures like Platini, Juno Kizigenza, Promesse Kamanda, Franco Kabano, Zaba and Linda among others. Organisers announced that there will be no comedy show as Rwanda will be commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi but will resume in May.
