Pulse Interview: Uganda's number one comedian Daniel Omara is a true 'LOL Model'

What is 'The LOL Model'?

The brand is about being a positive role model with a sense of humor, it is hard doing clean comedy and having a legacy to protect. My parents are church elders.

So I’m from a strong Christian, traditional background. I was raised this way. I don’t feel limited by this, but it shapes my outlook in so many ways. [This contradicts] the times we live where people say or do as they like and let others bear the consequences.

[I’m about] Being the best version of myself in order to minimize any moral dilemmas I may otherwise create for other people and their kids. I always strive to be a brand that parents trust around their loved ones.

The show is about my struggle to sustain an ideal that, to some extent, I don’t subscribe to any more. This ideal is shouldering the responsibility of representing family values and legacy. And I share my journey in hopes that it will save a whole generation while realizing how little of an impact it has on this generation. The show is [essentially] about me explaining this journey to inspire someone or to help them improve or adapt….while laughing.

Cool mellow fellow Pulse

What new material are bringing to the table?

Lots of new material about the Bible, the religious book on whose doctrines I was raised and how reading the bible as a child is different from reading it as an adult. This is not an attack on religion, when you are raised in a church and you start to slip away you have more questions than answers. This show is about questions for which I am seeking answers. I am answering the questions I am asking and that’s where the humour comes from.

Are you going for shock value?

No, I am just really curious. Shock value would be about me being profane or vulgar with my audience. Because nobody expects that from me, but that’s not what I am trying to do. I am going for relatability because none of the questions [I raise] about Christianity is new to atheists or theists. I think the only people who would see this as shock value are those people who are not used to having their ideologies or ideals questioned.

Omara, in secondary colours Pulse

Would you consider this the rebirth of Daniel Omara?

Yes. It has taken so much to get to myself to do this show, so much. I never considered it as an accolade having a special, but the world does. I am finding it hard to find a middle ground from what I want and what the industry expects of me and this show is the compromise. Besides, it is long overdue for my audience.

What other future projects should we expect?

I want to tour East Africa with this show, I want to do The LOL Model tour. Switch up the content depending on which country I am in, but most of it will be the same. I want to use the respective platforms in the different countries [of East Africa]: Standup Collective Nairobi, Arthur Nkusi in Kigali and TZ Punchline in Dar es Salaam and AK Dans in South Sudan.