Kunda & Friends, a groundbreaking 3D animated children’s series inspired by African culture and storytelling, has made an impressive debut on the global stage—starting right in Uganda.
The vibrant, music-driven show was the highlight of a high-profile birthday celebration in New York for KK, the son of Grammy award-winning superstars Ashanti and Nelly. This marked the first time a Ugandan children’s brand headlined an international celebrity event, a significant milestone for the country’s creative industry.
The series is a production of Kunda Kids, a Ugandan-led media company founded by entrepreneur Louisa Olafuyi. Developed in partnership with Kampala-based Creatures Animation—helmed by former Disney director Raymond Malinga—Kunda & Friends is proudly Ugandan, from its concept and characters to its creative talent.
“It’s incredible to see a show we built in Uganda being celebrated around the world,” said Louisa Olafuyi, Co-founder of Kunda Kids and Co-creator of Kunda & Friends. “To know that a child in New York, London, or Lagos can sing along with characters born right here in Kampala is the dream. This is a call to all Ugandans to invest in and champion the incredible creative potential we have in this country.”
To commemorate the occasion, Kunda Kids and Creatures Animation produced a special episode titled Happy Birthday KK, which premiered during the party and is now streaming on the Kunda & Friends YouTube channel. The short film introduces KK as a new character in the Kunda universe, alongside animated versions of his parents, Ashanti and Nelly.
Ashanti praised the show’s cultural depth and values:
“As a mom, I’m really intentional about what KK is exposed to. Kunda & Friends is not just beautiful and educational—it’s rooted in culture and meaningful storytelling.”
