Female comedians stand up

Clearly, standup comedy in the country is growing, but like a couple of other things, gender wise the growth is unbalanced – there is only a handful of female comedians. Based on this background, in what was dubbed Queens of Comedy, Uganda’s female comedians took to the stage to show that they can crack people’s ribs as well as men, a job they did well.

Taking turns on stage, Ann Kansiime, Cotilda Inapo and Leilah Kalanzi (commonly knowns as Kachapizo) joked away. The ladies obviously told women jokes about menstrual periods, pregnancy, the hurdle of a woman buying a condom and convincing the world that weaves are their hair because they were issued receipts. Though some of the topics like that on menstrual periods ordinarily comes off as disgusting, Cotilda tackled the issue in a funny way that didn’t make you cringe in disgust. The show was exactly what it is supposed to be – hilarious. Cotilda was humourous, Kansiime was cheeky and Kalanzi was unbelievable.

Kansiime joked about her tribesmen the Bakiga, something she likes to do a lot, and then she transformed into a school girl. And nothing beats Kansiime as a school girl, nothing because when she does, she knows how to think and act exactly like a little girl – it is always hilarious.

Kalanzi who must be the loudest woman on earth came on with a random set of jokes that she told at the highest pitch her voice could master. In fact, she was screaming most of the time saying silly jokes like putting chloroform on your breasts if you suspect that you will pass by rapists. So when they attempt to touch you, you don’t fight but instead shove them in their faces.

Since the show is intended to attract more female standup comedians, there was a new face, Lindsay performed for the first time. She played it safe and among other things went for stereotype based jokes on Batoro. While she wasn’t very funny, she has to be applauded for the bravery of stepping onto stage.

So are women as funny as men on stage? We are yet to tell as that was just the beginning of what is going to turn out a monthly event at the Laftaz Comedy Lounge in Centenary Park.

bbanura@ug.nationmedia.com