Rwanda’s premier comedy group, Comedy Knights have landed a sponsorship deal which will see them move the industry to the next level. 

The sponsorship worth Rwf30m was announced yesterday during a press conference at Kigali Serena Hotel.

Under the deal, the comedy outfit, which has been struggling to find a home since the closure of the Kacyiru-based Ishyo Arts Centre, will hold comedy shows for a period of five months in Kigali.

According to Phillip Velese, the General Manager of Nation Holdings Rwanda, the owners of KFM radio, the company will hire premises where the group will be staging their shows, give them publicity, and provide them with a state-of-the art sound system.

"Comedy in Rwanda has many challenges that include lack of theatre to perform, financial constraints and publicity. That’s why we have stepped in to help them surmount some of these challenges,” said Velese.

He said that KFM, as an entertainment radio is committed to promoting arts and talent in line with its promise to keep Rwandans entertained.

Michael Senganzi, the creative director of Comedy Knights, said that they were struggling to afford venues because they are expensive, yet the comedians don’t make much money.

"It is a struggle for us. As you might be aware, the comedy industry is yet to be fully established in Rwanda, so it is important to us that sponsors are finally realising the potential of comedy and coming in to support,” the Comedian said.

The manager of Comedy Knights Jerome Uwonkunda Ndamage, said the sponsorship is going to help them focus more on creating and polishing jokes without being inhibited by challenges they faced before.

"It’s also going to provide us with opportunity to promote young talented artists that are coming up to harness their skills. This is an opportunity that has come at the right time when Rwanda comedy industry is showing positive signs of growth,” he quipped.

The first show under this deal is scheduled for December 13, at Kigali Serena Hotel. The show dubbed the ‘Comedy Jam’ will feature Uganda’s Alex Muhangi and Kigingi from Burundi alongside the Comedy Knights.