Table of Contents
1. Who is Joseph El Shaddai in a few words?
My name is Joseph El Shaddai. I am a born-again Christian by faith, a Ugandan by nationality, and a journalist by profession.
2. When and where were you born?
I was born in Namasuba, which is in the Wakiso District. That is where I was born from, and that is where I grew up from.
3. What was your educational journey, and how did it prepare you for leadership in the creative arts?
Growing up, I studied all levels of education, most especially in Uganda. I started at Goldfrey Primary School for my primary level. For secondary school, I went to Emirates High School for my Senior 1 and Senior 2. In Senior 3, I went to Agrolinks Academy in Namasuba.
Then, I went to Zana Mixed Secondary School for Senior 4, Senior 5, and Senior 6. Regarding the creative arts, that wasn’t something I initially envisioned because I was a lover of sports—soccer, in particular. I studied for over six years in secondary school on a full bursary while playing soccer for Zana Mixed. Immediately after finishing Senior 6, I joined campus to pursue a Diploma in Journalism, which I graduated with from the Makerere Business Institute (MBI).
4. How did your family and siblings influence your love for comedy and entertainment?
My family and siblings—I don’t think, or I would say, they never contributed to any influence when it comes to comedy and entertainment. Personally, I just loved making jokes around school and making people happy; that’s where my fulfillment and satisfaction came from.
Along the way, I became a dancer, so music and entertainment became part of me. When I got born again, those were some of the things I started doing in church as a young person—dancing in church and all that.
5. What was the specific market gap or “God-moment” that led to the creation of Church Laughs?
Church Laughs started as a solution to a certain problem. By the time I graduated from Makerere Business Institute, I thank God I had already gotten myself a job at Spirit Television here in Kampala as a presenter.
During my time there, I looked at things differently. I saw a lot of challenges that people had normalized in the entertainment and event spaces. There was a lot of mediocrity, unprofessionalism, and inconsistency. I wanted to offer a solution through solution journalism within the space I was operating.
The specific market gap was that there were many Christians who desired to go out and have a good time in a way that doesn’t defile their faith. In Uganda, many people think that to make others happy, you have to use vulgar language, undress, or dance inappropriately. Many Christians didn’t want to go to bars or typical comedy events because they didn’t feel safe. I wanted to create a safe space for Christians who love comedy, poetry, dance, and music.
Also, as a dancer, I saw friends I grew up with being “taken by the world” because the church didn’t offer the platforms they needed. By creating these platforms, we keep our Christian dancers, poets, and creatives in the church. Often, talent stops after Sunday school because there are limited professional platforms in the Christian space.
6. When exactly did Church Laughs transition from a small idea to a registered or recognized brand?
Church Laughs transitioned towards the end of the COVID-19 period, around 2021. By then, I had started working in the media space. By 2022, I used that time to reshape the vision and get clarity. In 2022, we had our very first event, which was really amazing.
7. What is the core mission of Church Laughs today?
Our core mission is to build strong Christian creative communities through the most neglected forms of art and entertainment: comedy, poetry, and dance, specifically.
8. Who are the key members of your team who help you execute these large-scale events?
Church Laughs has a big number of people—producers, editors, finance guys, creatives, and other volunteers. Majorly, the people that help me run things are:
- A Creative Director
- A Finance Officer
- An Operation Officer
- And myself as the Team Lead
Each team leader takes care of a group of people within their line of duty, whether it’s the production team, creative team, finance team, or the operations team. Every person on my team is as important as the next.
9. How do you define “Clean Comedy,” and why is it essential for the Ugandan audience?
I define clean comedy as entertainment that does not defile the temple of God. It is comedy that is free from vulgarity, tribalism, or making fun of people’s physical appearances or disabilities. It is about finding the humor in everyday life and relatable situations without crossing the line of being offensive or inappropriate.
In Uganda, this is essential because we have a very diverse audience that values respect and family. People want to come to an event with their children, their parents, or their church leaders and not feel embarrassed by the jokes being told. Clean comedy proves that you can be funny and professional at the same time without using “below the belt” humor.
10. What was the first “Church Laughs” event like, and how has the platform grown since then?
The first event was held in 2022. It was a step of faith. We didn’t have much, but we had a clear vision. The turnout was surprising—we saw that people were actually hungry for this kind of environment. It was intimate but very powerful.
Since then, the platform has grown significantly. We have moved from small gatherings to large-scale events that attract hundreds of people. We have also expanded our reach beyond just comedy to include poetry, dance, and music, creating a holistic “Christian creative” experience. The brand is now recognized as a standard for quality Christian entertainment in Kampala and beyond.
11. What is the most significant milestone or achievement the brand has recorded so far?
The most significant milestone is the consistency we’ve maintained. In the entertainment industry, many things start and fail within a year. Being able to host multiple successful seasons and maintain a high standard of production is a huge achievement.
Another milestone is the registration of the brand and the formation of a structured team. We are no longer just “Joseph and friends”; we are a professional organization with systems and a clear mission.
12. Tell us about the toughest logistical or creative challenge you’ve faced as a Team Lead.
The toughest challenge is often funding and sponsorship. Christian entertainment is sometimes misunderstood by the corporate world, making it hard to secure big sponsors.
Logistically, managing large-scale events with limited resources is always a hurdle. There was an event where we had major technical issues with sound and lighting just minutes before the start. As the Team Lead, I had to stay calm, keep the team motivated, and find a solution quickly without the audience noticing the panic behind the scenes.
13. What lesson did that specific challenge teach you about resilience in the entertainment industry?
It taught me that preparation is key, but flexibility is mandatory. You can plan everything perfectly, but something will always go wrong. Resilience is about how you bounce back in the moment. It also taught me the value of a loyal team—people who won’t quit when things get tough.
14. How does Church Laughs identify and nurture upcoming gospel talent?
We identify talent through our “Open Mic” segments and by actively scouting in churches and youth groups. We look for people who are not just talented but also have the right character.
To nurture them, we provide a platform for them to perform alongside established artists. We also offer mentorship and feedback after performances to help them refine their craft and understand the professional side of the industry.
15. How has being part of the Impact Forge program refined your vision for gospel creativity?
The Impact Forge program has been a game-changer. It has taught me to look at Church Laughs not just as an “event” but as a social enterprise. It helped me refine our mission and focus on sustainability. I’ve learned how to better structure my business, manage my team, and think about the long-term impact we are making in the creative industry in Uganda.
16. What is the biggest misconception people have about “Christian entertainment”?
The biggest misconception is that it is “boring” or “low quality.” People think that because it’s Christian, it won’t be as funny or as exciting as secular entertainment. We are here to break that stereotype by producing high-octane, professional, and genuinely funny shows that rival any secular production.
17. How do you balance the “entertainment” factor with the “ministry” aspect of your work?
It’s a delicate balance. We use entertainment as the “hook” and ministry as the “heart.” The goal is to make people laugh and enjoy themselves, but we always ensure that the message of Christ is woven through—whether it’s through a testimony, a piece of poetry, or just the overall atmosphere of the event. We want people to leave feeling refreshed both emotionally and spiritually.
18. Where do you see Church Laughs in the next five years?
In five years, I see Church Laughs becoming the leading hub for Christian creatives in East Africa. We want to have our own creative space or hub where talent can be trained and recorded. I also see us taking our events on a national tour across Uganda and eventually across borders.
19. What advice do you have for young creatives who feel their talent doesn’t “fit” in a traditional church setting?
My advice is: Don’t give up on your gift. Just because it doesn’t fit the traditional “choir” or “ushering” roles doesn’t mean it’s not from God. Look for communities like Church Laughs that value diverse talents. Stay faithful to your craft, stay grounded in your faith, and God will open the right doors for you.
20. Where can people find your upcoming events and follow the Church Laughs journey?
You can find us on all social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter—by searching for “Church Laughs.” We also share updates through our partners and church networks. Stay tuned for our upcoming seasons; there is so much more to come!
