Born in Uganda, Pablo's early passions were drama, music, and dance, but his true ambition was journalism. He admired news anchors for their storytelling abilities and believed in the power of communication.
After pursuing a degree in Mass Media, Journalism, and Creative Writing, Pablo's dream of becoming a journalist led him to a job in entertainment journalism.
Assigned to cover theatre performances and entertainment events, Pablo found himself in front of Uganda's National Theatre in 2003, where he was introduced to a group experimenting with comedy. Initially sent by his editor to find a "hook" for a story, Pablo ended up discovering a whole new world of comedy.
'I went to my editor and told her about a comedy group trying something new. She told me to find something more interesting, but in my search for the angle, I got hooked myself,' he recalls.
As he immersed himself in their creative process, Pablo's wit naturally shone through. The comedy group saw his potential and invited him to join them. His transition from a passive observer to an active participant came quickly, and before long, he was on stage, sharing his humor with the audience.
Pablo's big break came when he was asked to emcee between performances. Instead of simply announcing acts, he began offering his comedic take on current events, joking about newspaper headlines and finding humor in everyday life.
Audiences responded enthusiastically, and Pablo's career as a stand-up comedian was born. 'I didn't even know I was doing stand-up comedy. I was just making people laugh between shows, but they called me a comedian, and I started to embrace it,' Pablo admits.
In 2009, Pablo's comedy career took a huge leap forward when he won the Stand-Up Uganda competition, securing the title of the country's funniest person and a prize of $10,000.
With his newfound fame, he launched Pablo Live, a platform for emerging comedians. His goal was to create opportunities for young talent, just as he had stumbled upon his own.
Pablo's influence wasn't limited to Uganda. He developed a strong connection with Rwanda, a country whose culture and people he greatly admired. 'The people are warm, and even their language has a way of making you feel good, even when they say they don't like you. Rwanda is surely the heartbeat of Africa,' he says.
In Rwanda, he saw a growing comedy scene and mentored many young comedians. He advised them on the importance of staying grounded and focusing on their craft, rather than letting success cloud their judgment.
Pablo recognizes the power of comedy to spark conversations about serious topics, even though it's often tricky to find the balance. 'Comedy is a funny way of being serious. We talk about important issues, but in a way that makes people laugh. It's tricky, especially when it comes to politics,' he says.
Though Pablo has occasionally faced criticism for his jokes, particularly political ones, he has learned to take feedback and adapt. 'I once cracked a political joke that I thought wasn't offensive, but people from the system told me, 'Pablo, there are other jokes you can tell. Leave politics out of it.' And I understood.'
Despite these challenges, Pablo remains optimistic about the future of East African comedy. 'With digital platforms, we now have the chance to reach global audiences. African comedy is growing, and it's evolving in exciting ways.'
He encourages young comedians to keep evolving, saying, 'Comedy is like a living organism. A joke told twice isn't as funny. You have to stay fresh and always be aware of your audience.'
Pablo's legacy is already taking shape, seen in the success of comedians he mentored, such as Mercy and Rusine, who have become prominent voices in Rwanda's comedy scene. 'The seeds we planted years ago are now flourishing. That's the real reward,' he reflects.
For Pablo, comedy is more than just entertainment; it's a way to tell stories, challenge norms, and inspire change. His unplanned path from journalism to comedy is proof that life's most rewarding journeys often come from unexpected places.
Sam K Nkurunziza
