Just like music, comedy is something that has a place in people’s hearts mindless of the situation. Be it joy or sorrow, comedy finds a place to cheer people up — talk of dry humor. In this era that appreciates standup comedy and online sketch comedy a lot, Conan Tumusiime, a then video editor and TV producer at Vision Group, discerned a breakthrough.

Self-christened Tumu Siime, definitely after his own surname, Conan set out to create video content that targeted people from all ages and walks of life, on a medium so feasible for the digital generation: social media.

In roughly a year of activity, the slim, cheeky-faced lad has bulked up a Facebook following greater than many of his predecessors; including Alex Muhangi and Patrick “Salvado” Idringi. 130k Facebook page likes is impressive, but a million views on a Facebook video is even more impressive for a Ugandan to achieve. He has managed to go viral around Africa as a whole and overseas; and managed to be an influencer for various brands, without making it look obvious.

Asked about why he doesn’t like creating content about leaked nudes, vulgarity and tribalism — things which keep his colleagues relevant in the industry — Tumu retorted,

“People are so used to nudity, it has no ratings. And I’m different, Bash, know what I mean? There is that thing of tapping into hatred and people’s biases. I don’t know if you get it. It is the easier thing to do because then, you easily get viral posts. But I hate it and I believe I am better. And I think it comes from the fact that I am never scared of messing up.” The wiz kid stated his case, not letting out the secret behind him playing two or more roles in the same sketch.

When I challenged him that great minds like Plato, Aristotle and William Shakespeare all agreed that tragedy births comedy, he responded,

“[Laughs] Philosophy from a specific era can’t hold for all eras. I don’t believe that. Even Jesus changed biblical philosophy of the old testament in the new testament.” Maintaining that he never wants to thrive by riding on other people’s sadness.

Even though he has ravaged jaws on TV, Radio and the stage, Conan still maintains that social media is a sublime avenue he will always utilize in his career,

“A breakthrough on YouTube is what I crave for. 5000 USD each month un taxed, mahn!” He concluded