TAKEAWAYS
• Dr Hilary Okello says asking audiences for money during performances is disrespectful.
• He believes promoters, not audiences, are responsible for paying performers.
• Okello argues the habit undermines professionalism and weakens the value of comedy shows.
Ugandan comedian Dr Hilary Okello has come out to express his distaste for fellow comedians who have made it a habit to solicit money from the audience while performing.
According to Okello, performers are booked and paid by promoters or event organizers, and should therefore focus solely on entertaining audiences rather than asking them for cash while on stage.
Speaking during an interview, Okello explained that while he has no problem accepting money voluntarily offered by fans, directly requesting it during a performance crosses a line and diminishes the value of the show.
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“As a performer, I think it’s disrespectful to the audience because the person supposed to pay me is the promoter or whoever booked me for the show,” Okello said.
He further argued that audiences pay to enjoy a complete and prepared performance, not to be turned into part-time sponsors of the act.
Okello revealed that he has personally received money from excited fans during performances, sometimes even pausing briefly to acknowledge their appreciation before continuing with the show. However, he emphasized that such gestures should come naturally from audiences and not through pressure or solicitation.
“People are paid to watch you perform. Come on stage, do your jokes and make people happy,” he added.
The comedian also suggested that some performers resort to asking audiences for money because they may not have adequately prepared material for their set, instead relying on crowd interactions to fill time.
It should be noted that soliciting money from audiences while performing is a common practice among some Ugandan comedians, often captured on camera during comedy nights and entertainment events. According to Okello, this habit undermines professionalism and shifts focus away from the actual performance audiences paid to enjoy.
