{{Short description|Ugandan comedian, actress, and philanthropist (born 1983)}} {{BLP sources|date=August 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox comedian | name = Akite Agnes | image = Akite Agnes 2025.3.jpg | image_size = 250 | alt = Akite Agnes wearing a white, sleeveless dress, standing in front of a red background with hands together in front of her, grinning directly at camera | caption = Agnes in 2025 | pseudonym = | birth_name = Akite Agnes Opio | birth_date = {{Birth date|1983|3|19|df=y}} | birth_place = Kampala, Uganda | medium = {{hlist|Stand-up|television}} | nationality = | education = | alma_mater = Makerere University<br />{{small|(Bachelor of Tourism)}} | years_active = 2009–present | employer = | genre = {{hlist|Observational comedy|self-deprecation}} | subject = {{hlist|Everyday life|relationships}} | spouse = | domestic_partner = | children = 2 | parents = | relatives = | signature = | website = {{URL|akiteagnes.com}} }}
'''Akite Agnes''' (born 19 March 1983) is a Ugandan stand-up comedian, actress, MC, and philanthropist. She is popularly known for her role as Arach<ref name=":2" /> in the series ''The Hostel''. She has also acted in Pearl Magic's ''Girl from Mparo'' as Mama Brian, the nosy neighbour. Her style of comedy reflects on the daily issues that people face as they go about their lives.
==Early life and education== {{BLP sources section|date=May 2023}}
Agnes was born on 19 March 1983, in Kampala, Uganda, to Anthony Opio, an auditor, and Hellen Opio. She is the fifth of nine children.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Republic |first=Matooke |date=28 October 2024 |title=Akite Agnes Marks 10 Years of Comedy in Grand Style – Matooke Republic |url=https://www.matookerepublic.com/20241028/akite-agnes-marks-10-years-of-comedy-in-grand-style/ |access-date=29 October 2024 |website=Matooke Republic}}</ref> She spent her early years in Kitintale and later moved to Mutungo, both suburbs of Kampala. Raised in the Catholic faith, Agnes attended St. Kizito Primary School in Bugolobi. She continued her education at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Gayaza, for her secondary studies. Agnes completed her Uganda Certificate of Education at Naalya Secondary School in Namugongo and went on to pursue her A-levels at St. Lawrence Creamland Campus, achieving her Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education. In 2003, she enrolled at Makerere University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in tourism.<ref name="monitor">{{Cite web |title=Comedienne Agnes Akite's complicated path to stardom |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Full-Woman/Comedienne-Agnes-Akite-complicated-path-stardom/689842-4984156-158g348z/index.html |access-date=1 June 2019 |website=Daily Monitor}}</ref>
==Career== In 2009, Agnes was approached by Anne Kansiime to act in a new TV comedy series called ''The Hostel'' after her friend, Pamela, had turned it down. She was given the part of Arach without auditioning.<ref name=":0">{{cite podcast |last=Anthony |first=Luke |title=Agnes Akite - Uganda Special |website=The Comedian's OutLuke Podcast |date=7 April 2019 |url=https://thecomediansoutluke.podbean.com/e/10-agnes-akite-uganda-special/ |accessdate=9 April 2019 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531161219/https://thecomediansoutluke.podbean.com/e/10-agnes-akite-uganda-special/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was the beginning of her acting career. ''The Hostel'' was a popular series in Uganda, initially shown on NTV and later on DStv. Agnes stayed on the show for three seasons and left in 2012, as she was preparing to give birth to her second child, Brianna.
In 2014, she began her comedy act with a group called The Punchliners, after being persuaded by Anne Kansiime and Daniel Omara to try stand-up comedy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="monitor" /> She later joined Comedy Files.
In 2015, she was part of the Queens of Comedy Uganda vs Kings of Comedy Rwanda in Kigali.
In 2016, she appeared in ''Girl from Mparo'' as Mama Brian, a series that aired on UBC<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ubc.ug/index.php/timetable/event/mparo/|title=Girl From Mparo|website=Uganda Broadcasting Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121161802/https://ubc.ug/index.php/timetable/event/mparo/|archive-date=21 November 2018|access-date=10 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and later on DSTV's ''Pearl Magic''.
In 2018, when her contract with Comedy Files ended, Agnes started doing solo acts on different comedy platforms, including Rock Comedy and Comedy Store Ug, hosted by Alex Muhangi. In June, she appeared in the Kampala Comedy Festival, hosted by Okello Okello, a renowned comedian in Uganda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pulse.mtn.co.ug/photos-how-it-went-down-at-the-inaugural-kampala-comedy-festival%20)|title=PHOTOS: How it Went Down at the Inaugural Kampala Comedy Festival|website=MTN Pulse|last=Atungisa|first=Don|date=2 July 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=3 October 2018}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=https://kampalasun.co.ug/2018/07/05/the-first-ever-kampala-comedy-festival-reveales-new-international/|title=The First Ever Kampala Comedy Festival Reveals New Internationals|last=Nakassanje|first=Winnie|date=5 July 2018|website=The Kampala Sun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121203732/https://kampalasun.co.ug/2018/07/05/the-first-ever-kampala-comedy-festival-reveales-new-international/|archive-date=21 November 2018|access-date=10 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> On her return to Comedy Stores UG in August, she impressed the crowd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.softpower.ug/comedienne-agnes-arach-impresses-revellers-on-comedy-store/|title=Comedienne Agned Arach Impresses Revellers on Comedy Store|last=Ampurire|first=Paul|date=20 July 2018|website=Soft Power News|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref> The clip for that show went viral on ''WhatsApp'', where she was heaped with praise.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mbu.ug/2018/08/06/comedienne-agnes-akite-heaped-with-praise-by-fans-after-her-clip-went-viral|title=Comedienne Agnes AKite heaped with praise by fans after her clip went viral|last=Zamboki|first=Lincoln|date=6 August 2018|work=MBU|access-date=3 October 2018}}</ref> She attributed the popularity of the clip to Comedy Store, which has an active social media account, and Kakensa Media, which have a huge following on Facebook.<ref name=":0" /> Between August and November, Agnes was a permanent member of the UG Pineapple Comedy Tour, which took her to different parts of the country, including Mbale, Gulu, Fort Portal, Jinja, and Mbarara.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1482561/kampala-comedians-thrill-mbale-residents|title=Kampala Comedians Thrill Mbale Residents|last=Oneal|first=Nicholas|date=1 August 2018|website=New Vision|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 October 2018}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=http://guide2uganda.ug/weekend-buzz-gulu-comedy-fans-embrace-ug-pineapple-comedy-tour/|title=Gulu Comedy Fans Embrace Ug Pineapple|last=Emorut|first=Brian|date=19 September 2018|website=Guide 2 Uganda|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 October 2018}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=https://www.showbizuganda.com/jinja-comedy-fans-get-a-taste-of-the-new-ug-pineapple/?pr=70278&lang=en|title=Jinja Comedy Fans Get a Taste of the New Ug Pineapple|last=Shantel|first=Denzel|date=21 November 2018|website=Showbiz Uganda|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=https://mbararanews.co.ug/fanfare-at-the-mbarara-ug-pineapple-comedy-tour-lf/|title=Fanfare at the Mbarara Ug Pineapple Comedy Tour|last=Abenaitwe|first=Cliff|date=21 November 2018|website=Mbarara News|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> She was part of the group from Comedy Store Ug that went to Mbarara for its maiden show outside Kampala.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.softpower.ug/pictorial-mc-mariachi-wows-mbarara-during-comedy-stores-tour/|title=PICTORIAL: MC Mariachi Wows Mbarara During Comedy Store's Tour|last=Ampurire|first=Paul|date=25 September 2018|website=SoftPower News|access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref> Agnes featured for the first time in the fourth episode of ''Africa Laughs'' on 8 October at Kampala Serena Hotel,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.softpower.ug/africa-laughs-season-4-drama-and-humour-leave-revelers-in-tears/|title=Africa Laughs Season 4 Drama and Humour Leaves Revellers in Tears|last=Larubi|first=Robert|date=9 October 2018|website=Soft Power News|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=http://www.ghafla.com/ug/africa-laughs-season-4-leaves-uganda-dying-with-laughter/|title=Africa Laughs Season 4 Leaves Uganda Dying with Laughter|last=|first=|date=10 October 2018|website=Ghafla|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=12 October 2018}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=https://matookerepublic.com/2018/10/09/drama-and-rib-cracking-humour-light-up-africa-laughs-season-4/|title=Drama and Rib Cracking Laughter Light Up Africa Laughs Season 4|last=Matooke|first=Republic|date=9 October 2018|website=Matooke Republic|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref> hosted by Patrick Salvador Idringi, with other comedians such as Basketmouth, Alfred Kainga, Eddie Kadi, Mc Jesse, Professor Haimo, and Arthur Nkusi. In December, she resumed acting, this time with Fun Factory in a TV series called ''Mizigo Express'', as Sam's girlfriend.
In early March 2019, Agnes created and hosted the Arise Woman! Comedy Jam<ref name=":1" /> on International Women's Day. In celebration of the holiday, the show comprised an all-female cast,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://matookerepublic.com/2019/03/11/female-comedians-celebrate-womens-day-in-a-comedy-show-dubbed-arise-woman-comedy-jam/|title=Female comedians celebrate Women's day in a comedy show dubbed 'Arise Woman Comedy Jam|last=Kulanyi|first=Rachael|date=11 March 2019|website=Matooke Republic|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=12 March 2019}}</ref> which included Nancy Kobusheshe, Maggie the Bwaiserian, Rich Mouth, Dora Nakagga, Leila Kachapizo, and the Fun Factory ladies. Part of the proceeds of the show was given to charity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://life.chimpreports.com/ugandan-female-comics-dedicate-arise-woman-comedy-jam-show-to-charity/|title=Ugandan Female Comics Dedicate 'Arise Woman Comedy Jam' Show to Charity|last=Emuk|first=Benjamen|date=9 March 2019|website=Chimp Reports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402081323/https://life.chimpreports.com/ugandan-female-comics-dedicate-arise-woman-comedy-jam-show-to-charity/|archive-date=2 April 2019|access-date=12 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In late March, Agnes returned to Kigali as part of the Seka Fest, with comedians from Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sqoop.co.ug/201904/news/events/ugandan-comedians-shine-at-kigalis-seka-fest.html|title=Ugandan comedians shine at Kigali's Seka fest|last=Batte|first=Edgar. R|date=1 April 2019|website=Sqoop|access-date=2 April 2019}}</ref> In April, she appeared on ''The Comedian's OutLuke Podcast'', presented by comedian Luke Anthony as part of a Uganda Special.<ref name=":0" /> In July 2019, she was one of the Ugandan comedians who performed in the Laugh Festival in Nairobi, Kenya,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/entertainment/rwandan-comedian-perform-laugh-festival-nairobi|title=Rwandan comedian to perform at the 'Laugh Festival' in Nairobi|last=Nkurunzinza|first=James Peter|date=5 July 2019|website=The New Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725035756/https://www.newtimes.co.rw/entertainment/rwandan-comedian-perform-laugh-festival-nairobi|archive-date=25 July 2019|access-date=6 October 2019}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=https://zurinews.com/laugh-festival-3-in-back-the-comedy-heist-full-infor/|title=International Laugh Festival (3rd Edition)|last=Zuri|first=Admin|date=24 July 2019|website=Zuri News|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925081054/https://zurinews.com/laugh-festival-3-in-back-the-comedy-heist-full-infor/|url-status=dead}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2019-07-26-laugh-festival-back-for-round-3/|title=Laugh Festival Back for Round 3|last=Ngigi|first=Elizabeth|date=26 July 2019|website=The Star|access-date=25 September 2019}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001335745/wamlambez-dominates-laugh-festival|title=Wamlambez Dominates Laugh Festival|last=Kagonye|first=Fredrick|date=20 July 2019|website=Standard Digital|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> and in September, she performed at the Uganda North America Association Convention in Chicago. In December, she headlined the One Africa Festival, in a bid to fight xenophobia at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/PE-Express/comedy-show-fight-against-xenophobia-20191216|title=Comedy show fight against xenophobia|date=18 December 2019|website=News24|access-date=26 December 2019}}</ref>
Agnes went on to host the second season of ''Arise Woman Comedy Jam'' in March 2020, which featured female comedians from Fun Factory Uganda as well as Anne Kansiime, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matooke |first=Republic |date=4 March 2020 |title=Season Two of Arise Women Comedy Jam set to crack ribs this Friday – Matooke Republic |url=https://www.matookerepublic.com/20200304/season-two-of-arise-women-comedy-jam-set-to-crack-ribs-this-friday/ |access-date=29 October 2024 |website=Matooke Republic}}</ref> In October 2022, Agnes was the opening act in Patrick Salvado Idringi's ''Africa Laughs sixth edition''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ampurire |first=Paul |date=31 October 2022 |title=Africa Laughs 6 succeeds in debunking the stereotypes tagged on Uganda's stand-up |url=https://pluggedaily.com/2022/10/31/africa-laughs-6-succeeds-in-debunking-the-stereotypes-tagged-on-ugandas-standup/ |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=Plugged}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Namutebi |first=Phiona |date=26 October 2022 |title=Africa Laughs comedy show is back at Kololo Airstrip |url=https://capitalradio.co.ug/entertainment/2022-10-26-africa-laughs-comedy-show-is-back-at-kololo-airstrip/ |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=Capital Radio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2022 |title=Africa Laughs returns with comedic masterpiece |url=https://www.independent.co.ug/africa-laughs-returns-with-comedic-masterpiece/ |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=The Independent Uganda}}</ref>
On 23 October 2024, she hosted her first solo show at the national theatre, titled ''Son of Opio''.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Fun Factory Ladies.jpg|thumb|Ladies of the Fun Factory doing a skit during the Arise Woman! Comedy Show|alt=|257x257px]]
==Style of comedy== Agnes's style of stand-up is observational comedy, where she points out the funny side of daily life. She also sometimes uses self-deprecation in her humour.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://southsudan.biz/uganda/2018/08/22/agnes-akite-aka-arach-on-funny-ugandans/|title=Agnes Akite aka Arach on Funny Ugandans|last=Nantaba|first=Agnes|date=19 October 2018|website=Uganda News Archive|access-date=19 October 2018|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208124430/https://southsudan.biz/uganda/2018/08/22/agnes-akite-aka-arach-on-funny-ugandans/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She avoids political humour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csyn9l|title=Comedy That Changes Minds|last=Daheley|first=Tina|website=BBC World Service – The Cultural Frontline|access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life== Agnes is the fifth-born<ref name=":1" /> in a family of two brothers and six sisters. She is the mother of two children. She is Catholic and attends Our Lady of Africa Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.observer.ug/lifestyle/43766-comedian-agnes-akite-has-bone-to-pick-with-minister-lokodo|title=Comedian Agnes Akite has Bone to Pick with Minister Lokodo|last=Baike|first=Prisca|website=The Observer|location=Uganda|access-date=19 October 2018|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095434/https://www.observer.ug/lifestyle/43766-comedian-agnes-akite-has-bone-to-pick-with-minister-lokodo|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 9 November 2023, she was attacked and beaten up by thugs as she made her way back home from a quiz night in Najjera, sustaining a head wound and a bruised eye.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mwesigwa |first=Solomon |date=14 November 2023 |title=Comedienne Agnes Akite attacked and robbed by thugs after a quiz night session |url=https://mbu.ug/2023/11/14/agnes-akite-comedienne-robbed/ |access-date=29 October 2024 |website=MBU}}</ref>
==Philanthropy== Agnes is the co-founder and CEO of Arise Woman Foundation,<ref name=":1" /> which advocates for and empowers women and youth.
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |+ {{Sronly|Acting appearances in film and television}} ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Network ! Notes |- | 2009–2012 | ''The Hostel'' | Arach | NTV Uganda, DStv – Africa Magic Entertainment, ZUKU TV, and NTV KENYA | |- |2016 | ''Girl from Mparo'' | Mama Brian | UBC, DStv – Pearl Magic | |- |2018–present |''Mizigo Express'' |Sam's girlfriend |DStv – Pearl Magic | |}
==References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official website|akiteagnes.com}} * {{IMDb name|11053803}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agnes, Akite}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Ugandan stand-up comedians Category:Ugandan women comedians Category:Ugandan television actresses Category:People from Kampala Category:Makerere University alumni Category:Ugandan Roman Catholics Category:Ugandan actresses