Daniel Omara; the teacher turned comedian

Daniel Omara’s Liteside

Any three things we don’t know about you?

I love poetry, which partly explains why I have a job as a copy writer. I am also a gamer because it helps me deal with stress. When I am annoyed, I beat off the anger by playing games. I am also still single and my love for solitude explains that. Depending on the situation, I am at times social, other times, I prefer to be a loner.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Family and that has to be my parents, siblings, nephews and nieces. I usually go home once or twice to recharge.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I am the most impatient person sometimes.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Theft; I can stand anything else but not theft, which is why I have been on an online rampage against comedians who steal other people’s work

Which living person do you most admire?

For me, a lot of things run with proximity. There’s a colleague called Isaac Kaizen who happens to be an engine for many like me.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I spend a lot on utilities like power because I always have electronics switched on. Besides that, I love jackets. I buy jackets based on design, warmth and color

What is the greatest thing you have ever done?

Starting comedy files is something I was hesitant for so long to do

What is your current state of mind?

I am happy

What does being powerful mean to you?

Power comes with a lot of responsibilities and self control. But you cannot have power without self control because power is an internal control that starts with you

On what occasion do you lie?

Some people take comedy to be lies but it is just fictional humor. Everybody lies and Ugandans lie mostly about location and I am not one of those. I just downplay things a little because I hate lies

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I am quite comfortable with my body

What is the greatest thing you have ever done?

I will always remember the day I stood on a dark-deem lit theatre looking at thousands of chairs that I had to fill and entertain

What is the quality you most like in a man?

The ability to balance character

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

The ability to balance imperfections and try to make a good out of it

Which living person do you most despise?

Thieves, especially of public funds; we are a nation that is always drowned in debts yet we are funded but because the money doesn’t get to the rightful use

When and where were you happiest?

The most significant one is every time I see my mother because she is a very special person in my life. No one is obliged to do the job of a mother but she made the choice to carry me for nine months, delivered me and raised me for lifetime. It should actually be the most valued job especially in an African setting where the mother is meant to balance that role with work.

I also like hanging with my nephews and nieces because they are a source of fan.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Nothing

Which talent would you most like to have?

I can rap but it’s not something that I have developed

What do you consider the greatest achievement?

It’s still work in progress. I am also proud to be one of the founders of stand-up comedy in Uganda

What is your most treasured possession?

After my legs, it is my voice. Everything I have done in the last nine years is attached to my voice

What is your favourite occupation?

Being a standup comedian

What do you most value in your friends?

Being understanding; I like friends who know what I stand for

Who are your favourite writers?

Terry Pratchett may not be the best writer but he’s word play and phrasing is something that I really like

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I would give it to Dr Matthew Lukwiya who died saving the country from an epidemic. He gave his life to save a nation and yet he doesn’t receive much recognition for it. He was a brilliant scientist who will never be replaced

Who are your real life heroes?

My father

Who is your hero of fiction?

Abbey Mukiibi is really good and from a performance perspective, he is very inspirational.

What is your greatest regret?

I regret not having embraced the fame earlier. I always had a problem dealing with the fame so there was an age where I would have been the maddest comedian. Fame is hard to deal with

How would you like to die?

I just want to have a chance to repent and bid farewell to my loved ones

What is your motto?

You either do it right or you don’t do it at all