By Stuart G-Khast
While Alex Muhangi remains a reknown comedian and entertainer, the comedy industry needs him more as an entrepreneur than comedian. Alex Muhangi is with no doubt a well celebrated comedian whose jokes are on point but unlike the masses, comedians need him more as a comedy entrepreneur.
Alex Muhangi holds his weekly comedy show every Thursday and it is the most looked upto comedy event in Uganda and East Africa by both the fans and even more by the comedians. Below we have propelled why we think Alex Muhangi is on verge of changing Ugandan comedy and why comedy needs to celebrate him.
Comedian best pay
Never before has a comedian been paid more elsewhere, it is no secret that Alex Muhangi’s comedy Store remains the most paying comedy event in Uganda. Comedians who perform at Comedy Store are the most well paid comedians anywhere in Uganda and no wonder they continue to yearn for the platform.
Groomed talent
“Alex Muhangi since starting his show at UMA has groomed more talent in Comedy. We are grateful to him, after introducing Mariachi now we are here too courtesy of his show” Maulana and Reign told us in an interview.
Improved comedy image
Alex Muhangi has not only respected comedy as a job and rewarded comedians well financially but has also greatly improved the image of comedy. “I make sure I pay comedians well for my show and on time, comedians like any other profession need to be smart and well dressed. We do not want a comedian to come on stage in rugs and dressed the same as previous show” Alex told us.
Improved professionalism
Before ComedyStore, comedy was almost going to the dogs with audience tired of immorality, bad language and tribalistic jokes, according to Alex, comedians at his show do write their jokes prior, revise them and are warned against certain jokes that may not be appropriate.
Also, comedy at Comedy store has been timed and not had comedians go half an hour with stale jokes.
International penetration
With the new plans at comedy store to host an international act every month, Ugandan comedy is breaking chains to a broader audience.