KAMPALA, UGANDA: Former Rubaga South Member of Parliament and comedian Kato Lubwama is dead. He was 52 years old.
Lubwama, a celebrated actor and founder of Diamonds Ensemble, Diamonds Production and B24 TV reportedly succumbed to a heart failure at Stana Medical Centre in Bunamwaya where he was rushed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The comedian’s death was first pronounced by his business associate events promoter Andrew Mukasa alias Bajjo at around 2am on Wednesday June 07, 2023.
“Very disturbing sad news @Kato_Lubwama has passed on now r.I.p my forever friend kato lubwaama KAtonda akusonyiwe byona ebyasoba,” tweeted Bajjo announced before an administrator of Lubwama’s Twitter handle.
Kato Lubwama Biography
Kato Lubwama, a popular actor, playwright and theatre director rose to the limelight in the Ugandan entertain industry in the early 1990s when he founded the Diamonds Ensemble that is credited, along with a wave of theatre companies to have revived the art-form in Uganda.
In the 2000s, Lubwama made a name when he became part of CBS FM’s Kalisoliso Programme with a formidable partnership with fellow actors Abby Mukiibi and Patricko Mujjuka as their show vied for the most listened to morning show in Uganda. His performance name on the show was Biiso.
In 2016, he joined Ugandan politics where he served as a legislator for Lubaga South in the 10th Parliament but eventually lost the seat to NUP’s Mr Aloysius Mukasa in the 2021 parliamentary elections.
On June 9, 2017 Lubwama was among the 363 people who received medals from President Museveni during Heroes Day celebrations at St Augustine Catholic Parish Grounds in Zirobwe Sub County, Luweero District.
Lubwama, a Democratic Party (DP) member was recognized for his long time career in acting and comedy.
Shortly after getting the medal, Lubwama, a comedian turned politician said he was happy that President decided to recognize people like him (actors).
“President Museveni did not give me this medal because of politics. It was in recognition of what I have contributed to this country through acting comedy,” he said.
Since his exit from parliament, Lubwama had been re-establishing himself in the entertainment field. He had founded B24 TV, started a YouTube channel and made regular appearances on other digital platforms, most memorably on NBS TV’s UnKut and Kasuku.
Unapologetic about his “silent parliamentary record” to the end, Lubwama blamed the abrupt end of his political career on the “lies” of his political rivals in the National Unity Platform headed by fellow artiste Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
He scoffed that he did not miss parliament because it gave him a chance to return to his private businesses, including dealing in maize flour.
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