Comedian Husein Muyonjo, popularly known as Swengere, has dismissed claims that his election to Parliament signals the end of his career in comedy, saying he intends to remain active in entertainment while serving as a legislator.
Swengere was elected Member of Parliament for Jinja North on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket in last week’s parliamentary elections.
Speaking after his victory, the MP-elect said joining politics was one of the most difficult decisions he has ever made, mainly due to public scepticism towards entertainers who venture into leadership.
“Deciding to join Parliament was challenging because a lot of people don’t take you seriously,” Swengere said.
He revealed that even some of his close associates doubted his move.
“There are those that I spoke to that asked me, ‘Will you not end up like Hilderman or other artists that joined Parliament in the past and proved ineffective?’” he said.
Despite the doubts, Swengere insists he has no plans of abandoning comedy, noting that he has already proven he can balance public office and entertainment.
“In the past term, I have been serving as a councillor while also doing skits. Since I managed to balance both, I will be able to do the same in Parliament,” he said.
He added that he will continue producing comedy content, revealing that he recently signed a new television contract.
“The good thing is that just before we started our campaigns, Bukedde TV offered me a new contract which I intend to execute,” Swengere said.
Swengere rose to national prominence through viral comedy skits in which he plays a loving, humorous family man alongside his on-screen son Kalibbala and Maama Kalibbala. The skits, performed mainly in Lusoga, have attracted a wide audience across different communities in Uganda.
Now entering national politics, Swengere says his priority will be effective representation and improved service delivery for the people of Jinja North — while still keeping Ugandans laughing.
“Comedy is part of who I am, but leadership is my new responsibility,” he said.
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