Dr. Hillary Okello is not your typical comedian. Before becoming one of Uganda’s most travelled stand-up acts, he spent four years working in medical facilities across Kampala—examining patients and writing prescriptions by day, before stepping onto comedy stages at night. “I would work on radio in the morning, spend the afternoon in a medical facility, and perform on stage at night,” he told The New Times. Okello is in Kigali again, this time for a performance at Friday’s Thank God It’s Funny, an ‘only English’ growing comedy showcase held bi-monthly at Kigali Universe. Speaking shortly after arriving in Kigali on Thursday, the comedian reflected on his unusual transition from medicine to comedy, the rise of East Africa’s stand-up scene, and why African comedians must think beyond borders. The conversation also touched on his ongoing continental tour, Jokes from Far Away, which returns him to Rwanda to share a stage with household comedians like Michael Sengazi, Herve Kimenyi, Babou Joe, Mavid and Pazzo and Arnold Mutara. The doctor behind the comedy Known as “Africa’s doctor of comedy,” Okello’s title is more than branding. He studied clinical medicine at Clarke International University in Kampala, graduating in 2018, and worked as a clinician for four years before turning to comedy full-time in 2022. “It’s the best representation of the phrase ‘laughter is the best medicine,’” he said. “It combines both sides of who I am.” Still, he is quick to separate metaphor from reality. “I don’t think serious diseases can simply be treated through laughter. You cannot tell someone with cancer to just attend comedy shows and expect them to recover.” What comedy can do, he explained, is give people relief—a chance to momentarily step away from the pressures of life. The turning point For Okello, leaving medicine was not a sudden decision. The turning point came during a corporate event around 2018 or 2019, when he earned roughly the same amount in a 10-minute comedy set as he did in an entire month at the clinic. “That’s when I realised that if I truly invested my time and effort into comedy, it could become a viable career,” he recalled. That financial reality became central when discussing the decision with his family. “Like many African families, they had expectations,” he said. “If you’re not a teacher, a pilot, a doctor, or an engineer, people often think you’ve failed.” But attitudes toward comedy, he believes, have changed significantly over the years. The industry is increasingly recognised not just as entertainment, but as a platform for discussing social issues and reflecting society. Comedy without borders Originally from Lira in northern Uganda, Okello first experimented with comedy while studying at Ginger College, where school events gave him an early platform. Inspired by comedians he watched on television, he began writing short sets and performing for fellow students. By university, the hobby had evolved into a serious pursuit. Today, he is touring Africa with Jokes from Far Away, a show inspired by experiences and material gathered across different countries. The tour aims to cover ten African countries, alongside stops in Europe and the United States. So far, the tour has passed through Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania, with Rwanda marking the current leg before heading to southern Africa, including South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, and Namibia. On language, Okello is candid. “If you want to grow beyond your country, you need to perform in a language that travels more internationally,” he said. He regularly encourages Rwandan comedians to develop material in English—not to abandon local audiences, but to prepare themselves for international stages. “If you can perform in English, you can perform in Nigeria, South Africa, Europe, or anywhere else.” He also cited Michael Senghazi as an example of how multilingual comedy can open international doors, noting that the comedian’s use of French has enabled performances in Belgium and other parts of Europe. Returning to Rwanda This marks approximately Okello’s sixth or seventh visit to Rwanda. His first trip came through Anne Kansiime, whose writing team he once worked with. She had invited him to perform during one of her Kigali shows. “I performed for about 20 minutes and immediately knew I would return,” he said. He remembers the audience warmly. “As a performer from another country, your first show matters a lot. You want to give your best because that performance determines whether people will invite you back.” Asked what he knew about Rwanda before visiting for the first time, Okello said the country’s reputation had already reached him through fellow comedians and regional conversations. “Everyone who had been to Rwanda talked about how safe, welcoming, and clean the country is,” he said. The future of East African comedy Okello is optimistic about the direction of comedy in East Africa. He points to the growing number of performers, the rise of regular comedy clubs, and audiences increasingly willing to pay for shows as signs of a maturing industry. He describes Kenya as the region’s most developed comedy market, with several weekly shows and circuits extending beyond Nairobi into cities such as Kisumu and Mombasa. Rwanda, he believes, has strong potential to catch up. “It’s exciting when you come to Kigali and find a diverse audience—Rwandans, Indians, and many others all enjoying the same show together,” he said. Tickets for Friday’s show are available via Sinc Events, with gates opening at 6pm and performances running from 7pm to 10pm. “They should expect comedy from an outsider’s perspective,” Okello said of the Kigali audience. “And I think that’s a beautiful thing.”
