𝐌𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬…
I’m Agnes Akite — comedian, actress, and storyteller. Some people say I was “born to make people laugh,” but honestly, I was just born in Kampala on March 19th, 1983, as child number five in a family of nine. Being right in the middle had its conviniences: I could sometimes claim to be “too young” for certain household duties or “too old” for others. Of course, my parents didn’t really buy that trick…they were strict, but always loving which shaped the way we grew up…with firm hands, big hearts, and plenty of laughter in between. Maybe that balance is what taught me how to find humor even in tough moments.
I grew up in Nakawa Quarters before moving to Kitintale and later Mutungo Biina. Those neighborhoods shaped me in so many ways. To this day, I still share memories and sometimes a pot of millet beer — malos, with childhood friends as we laugh over stories from the good old days.Whether it was about the athletic prowess of Angulo or the raised voices of neighbours in the night, with saucepans flying through windows, those stories never grew old.
I began my educational journey at St. Kizito Primary School, continued at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Naalya, and completed my A-Levels at St. Lawrence Creamland Campus—a school whose late Founder, Prof. Lawrence Mukiibi, often said was “not just a school, but a lifestyle.”
Later, I graduated from Makerere University with a degree in Tourism. From a young age, I’ve been captivated by Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the incredible variety of bird species that fill our skies.
Like most graduates, my first concern after campus was simply finding a job… any job. My first job was as a front desk clerk, nowhere near the tourism career I had studied for. But in 2009, life surprised me. The crew of The Hostel was looking for someone to play Arach. I showed up, and without even auditioning, I got the part. That role ran for three seasons and made me a familiar face in Ugandan households.
After stepping away to focus on family, I returned to the stage in 2014 – but this time as a stand-up comedian. Encouraged by friends (may God bless them), I joined The Punchliners, and from that moment, I knew I had found my true home.
Since then, I’ve performed on countless stages: Comedy Store, the UG Pineapple Tour, Africa Laughs, the Laugh Festival in Nairobi, SekaFest in Rwanda, the One Africa Festival in South Africa (where I used comedy to speak against xenophobia), and even the Uganda North America Convention in Chicago. In between stand-up gigs, I’ve continued acting in shows like Girl From Mpaaro, Mizigo Express, and most recently Senkyu Boss.
But comedy for me has never just been about myself. In 2019, I created Arise Woman! Comedy Jam, a Women’s Day celebration to give female comedians a platform to shine. What began as an idea has now become an annual tradition.
In 2024, I staged my first One-Woman Show, Son of Opio, a project I had been nurturing for two years. In 2025, I continued with Arise Woman! and now, I’m preparing the first edition of the male version — Arise We-Men.
Beyond entertainment, my heart has always been drawn to uplifting those who are less privileged. Out of this desire, the Arise Woman Foundation was born, a space I now guide as its Director. It is still in its early stages, but steadily growing, with a simple mission to share love, hope, and support with those who need it most.
For all the lights and laughter, what keeps me steady and gounded are the values I was raised with: family, honesty, and faith in God. Whether I’m on stage, on screen, or simply being “Auntie Agnes” to someone out there, I hope my journey shows that you can laugh through struggle, rise after a fall, and still stay true to yourself.
Beyond the stage, my greatest joy is being a mother. My children are my daily reminder of why I keep pushing, creating, and laughing even when life gets tough.
They ground me in ways that fame and applause never could. Every milestone in their lives feels bigger to me than any show I’ve ever done.
Noel, my firstborn, came while I was still at campus. Though my parents weren’t exactly thrilled at the time, they stood by me, ensuring I finished school and could raise my son. Noel is the quiet, reflective one…taller than me now and with a real love for basketball. Our bond is unique: not only mother and son, but also like siblings and close friends.
Then there’s Brianna, the last born…the bouncy one, full of energy and mischief, sometimes naughty but always a spark of joy in the family. Whenever she is going back to school, she leaves me with her stuffed dolls to take care of. I would love to think they are my bazukulu, my grandchildren, but maybe Bree Bree is indirectly telling me she is tired of being a last born.
Between the two of them, I’ve found my peace and my balance. They are the harmony I need in life.
