Andrew Benon Kibuuka: A Trailblazer in Uganda's Film and Theatre Scene

A wise man once said, "Good money makes good art, and good art makes good money." Legend, patriarch, and seasoned actor Andrew Benon Kibuuka explores his passion for art on another episode of MultiChoice Uganda's 'Home of Our Stars Podcast,' Season 2, hosted by Flavia Tumusiime.

Back in the 1980s, when film was considered a futuristic medium and the limited entertainment options were just TV and radio—with TV only starting to broadcast at 6 PM—theatre was the primary form of amusement. The scene was dominated by the Kampala Drama Actors, who eventually evolved into the renowned Bakayimbira Drama Actors.

Andrew Benon Kibuuka, a notable figure in both film and theatre, has had a career that spans over 40 years, featuring in more than 100 productions and directing over 150. Reflecting on his entry into acting, Kibuuka shares, "After completing senior six, I joined forces with two high school friends, Charles James Senkubuge and Aloysius Matovu, and we became part of the Kampala Drama Actors, founded by Katete. When he went into exile in Nairobi, as one of the senior members, I helped lead our group's transition to what is now known as the Bakayimbira Drama Actors."

Kibuuka discusses the challenges they faced in making theatre accessible to the public, primarily due to the scarcity of venues. "The National Theatre was the only functioning venue back then, and it was always heavily booked. It took us three years to secure a slot for our performance," he explains.

He recalls a humorous yet telling anecdote from their early forays into filming: "The first time we tried to film one of our productions, the videographer recorded everything. Unfortunately, when we reviewed the footage the next day, it only showed feet. We had to redo the entire production, which was quite an ordeal."

Over time, significant improvements have been made. "When we started filming 'Kigenya Genya,' we would deliver the episode on the morning it was set to air. Now, industry players like MultiChoice Uganda and Mnet require having 30 or more episodes ready before airing the season, which has greatly enhanced our professionalism," Kibuuka notes.

Despite these advancements, traditional theatre has faced challenges. "Theatre had no competition back in the day and thrived. However, as films from Nollywood, Bollywood, and eventually Hollywood entered the market, theatre struggled to adapt and was unprepared for the shift, being left behind as these new forms of entertainment took precedence," he observes.

Years later, Kibuuka is a legend and seasoned actor, featured in many productions. He explains his current role, "I was cast as Justus Kaya in 'Beloved' after being approached by the producer, a close friend of my brother. With my experience, I no longer audition, leaving those opportunities to younger actors."

Kibuuka has worked with celebrated actors, including Idris Elba in 'Sometime in April.' He acknowledges the challenges of his profession, especially memorizing lines for about 13 scenes in a single day, and emphasizes that acting demands mastery.

Identifying closely with his character Justus Kaya from 'Beloved,' he describes himself as a workaholic devoted to his family and sets firm boundaries regarding nude or romantic scenes.

Optimistic about the industry's future, Kibuuka believes that while some may see theatre as fading, the success of many film actors who started in theatre suggests a promising revival. "The industry is rapidly advancing. In the future, film will grow even stronger, and the increased professionalism in picture, sound, and talent, supported by entities like MultiChoice and Mnet, ensures the exceptional quality of our productions," he concludes, highlighting the significant contributions of these industry giants to the arts.