Jacques Rwothumio didn’t always see himself as a comedian. A graduate of Uganda Allied Health and Management Sciences with a Diploma in Dental Technology, he spent years perfecting smiles—unaware he would soon be creating them on stage. His comedy career began by accident when he was asked to MC a school function at the last minute. What started as a one-time favour quickly turned into something bigger, as demand for his services grew within the school and later expanded to corporate functions, where he also took on the role of a quiz master.
In 2022, his friend Optional Allan introduced him to Timothy J. Nyanzi, a respected mentor in Uganda’s comedy circles, who was running New Material Night at The Green Bistro in Bukoto. Timothy took Jacques under his wing, introducing him to comedians like Don Andre, Dr. Hilary Okello, Akite Agnes, and Okello Okello, who helped him refine his skills. This launched Jacques on a comedic journey that has since seen him perform on major stages, including Comedy Black Friday and Fun Factory’s Comedicine. His debut special, There There, performed on Friday, March 28, marked a major step onto the national stage—and it’s clear he’s ready for the spotlight.
Filmed in an intimate setting at GZK German Cultural Centre by the professional 4 Line Studio, the show drew an eager crowd that had already gathered by 6 PM—an hour before its scheduled start. Despite a slight delay, the show finally kicked off at 8 PM, with MC Daniel Omara introducing the opening act, musician Andereya Baguma. Baguma set the perfect tone for the night, serenading the audience with soulful Afro-fusion melodies, rich emotive vocals, and intricate guitar work that created a hypnotic atmosphere. Comedians Nasasira Jordan and Don Andre then followed, each bringing his unique style to the crowd, building anticipation before Akite Agnes took the stage. Her performance set up the perfect runway for Jacques’ grand entrance.
There There is a blend of personal storytelling, observational humor, and self-deprecating charm. With a relaxed, conversational style, Jacques immediately connected with the audience, opening with jokes about the Alur and witchcraft. A son of Zombo himself, he had the crowd in stitches as he humorously compared the differences in witchcraft across Zombo, Nebbi, and Pakwach districts.
One of the night’s biggest crowd-pleasers was his joke about reincarnation, where he humorously wondered if his late father had returned as a cat. His imaginative take on different reincarnation scenarios had the audience in hysterics. Even when an unexpected power outage briefly disrupted the show, sending the ever calm show producer Mark Gordon to look for alternatives, the crowd refused to let the moment die—turning on their phone flashlights and urging him to continue. His quick wit and confidence made it hard to believe this was his first special.
But perhaps the most unforgettable moment came when he shared a joke about his mother wanting him to marry a hard-working wife, only for him to admit that his idea of “hard work” was more about physical attributes than character. The punchline hit so well that audience members lined up to tip him—led by a “hard-working” woman herself.
Throughout the night, the experience was elevated by the impeccable sound design handled by Soundman Omumpi, a renowned sound engineer in Uganda’s entertainment industry who ensued that every word, laugh and musical note resonated perfectly within the venue.
The night ended on a high, with people already asking when Jacques’ next show would be. For a debut special, he delivered a remarkably polished performance, earning roaring laughter and spontaneous applause throughout.
Jacques is a comedian to watch. With There There, he proves that he’s more than just another stand-up hopeful—he has the storytelling skills, stage presence, and originality to make a lasting impact. Fans of sharp, relatable comedy should take note: this may be his first special, but it certainly won’t be his last.
