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Let me introduce Esther Natukunda to you
Oh, readers, I am so excited for you to read about our guest for today, ESTHER NATUKUNDA. She is such a beautiful, energetic, magnetic woman who hosts a daring show on YouTube. I recently watched it, and it blew my mind how they make strangers try to create a bond in blind dates. Watching those sparks fly or fizzle across cultures and continents is pure, unfiltered magic. It is like peeking into the raw, hopeful hearts of the African diaspora, all wrapped in Esther’s infectious charm and quick wit.
If you are craving inspiration from someone who has turned street smarts into stardom, buckle up. This is the story of a hustler, a dreamer, and an unapologetic go-getter who is rewriting the script on what it means to shine in Uganda’s entertainment scene.
Who is Esther Natukunda?
Esther Natukunda is “a radio presenter, host of the Pan African dating show on YouTube, hustler, dreamer, go-getter.” Born on April 17, 1995, at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Esther entered the world with a spark that would one day light up screens and airwaves across the continent. But her path to the spotlight has not been a straight line. It has been a zigzag of resilience, raw talent, and relentless hustle.
Today, at 30 years old, she is the vibrant host of The Pan African Dating Show (135,000 subscribers), a radio darling at 106.5 NRG Radio Uganda, and an emerging actress stealing scenes in local productions. Her passion reveals the power of believing in yourself when the world tries to dim your light.
What was her life like while growing up?
Esther’s early life reads like the opening act of a blockbuster drama—full of heartbreak, hustle, and hidden strength. She grew up knowing only her mother, having never met her father or extended relatives beyond her younger sister and brother. “It was hectic growing up,” she shares candidly. “Spent most of childhood in people’s houses. These are people I did not know. I was home most times and on the streets.”
Those words paint a vivid picture of a young girl navigating instability, where survival meant adapting to strangers’ homes and the bustling chaos of Kampala markets. The streets became her unintended playground and classroom, teaching her the unfiltered lessons of independence long before she could spell the word.
Family, for Esther, defies traditional boundaries while her biological ties remain distant. “I do not have a close relationship with my biological family.”
She credits a chosen family with pulling her from the brink. At age 9, she was taken in by a compassionate household that became her anchor. “However, Theresa’s family, who raised me from the streets when I was 9 years old and until now, their eldest son Johnmarie (gospel artist) is more of my dearest family.” Johnmarie, a rising gospel singer in Uganda’s music scene, is not just a sibling figure—he is a symbol of the love that bloomed where bloodlines fell short. Esther also acknowledges her two known biological siblings, plus the extended adoptive crew, noting, “I do have 2 biological siblings that I know of and others from my adoptive family.”
This patchwork family has played a pivotal role in shaping her unbreakable spirit. What role has family played in shaping who you are today? One might ask, and Esther’s life answers: It taught her that bonds are built, not born, fueling her empathy for the underdog and her drive to connect people—on air, on screen, and in her hit dating show.
Kampala’s vibrant yet unforgiving underbelly left indelible marks. As a child of the streets, Esther witnessed poverty’s sharp edges firsthand, from dodging uncertainty in borrowed homes to finding fleeting comfort in market stalls. Yet, amid the hardship, glimmers of joy emerged.
Her story echoes the narratives of many Ugandan youth who rise from similar shadows, turning pain into purpose. In interviews, she has opened up about even darker chapters abroad—periods of survival sex work in South Africa, a stint as a housemaid in Dubai on an expired visa, and brushes with traditional healers (sangomas) in her quest for stability. These experiences, raw and real, underscore her mantra of resilience, making her not just a performer but a profound storyteller who draws from life’s deepest wells.
School Days and the Spark of Stardom
Education for Esther was less about rote learning and more about discovery—a stage where her natural charisma first took center stage. She attended Bright Future Primary School in Nabulagala, Masooli Primary School, and Makerere West Valley Primary School, institutions that dotted Kampala’s educational landscape and provided pockets of stability amid her nomadic childhood. “I was a jolly student, I always looked forward to speech days and debates,” she recalls with a smile in her voice. Those speech days were not just events—they were her first taste of the limelight, where words wove magic and crowds hung on her every syllable.
A standout mentor from those days was Teacher Deo, her English instructor at West Valley. “I remember teacher Deo. He used to teach English at West Valley, and I was always number 1 in English class from P4 to P7. Loved his teaching. I feel like he gave me a good foundation of English speaking.” Deo’s lessons were not confined to grammar—they instilled confidence, turning a street-smart girl into an eloquent force. Today, those skills shine through in her polished radio banter and on-screen poise.
What skills did I develop in school that you still apply in your work today? Speaking English and being entertaining,” Esther affirms. It is no coincidence that her voice—clear, captivating, and laced with humor—commands attention whether she is moderating a blind date or delivering a monologue.
Even as a child, Esther’s ambitions pointed toward the arts. “I always knew I wanted to be an actress. And at some point, I thought I would be a musician, but acting is becoming more of a reality now that I’ve grown.” Music flirted with her dreams, perhaps inspired by gospel influences like her adoptive brother Johnmarie, but the pull of the camera proved stronger. These early inclinations were not fleeting—they were seeds planted in the fertile soil of her imagination, waiting for the right rains to bloom.
From Extras in Johannesburg to Queen of the Screen: The Acting Odyssey
Esther’s formal dive into acting began far from Kampala’s familiar hum—in the bustling studios of South Africa. “Officially, in South Africa, I went and started being an extra in Skeem Saam, Scandal, Muvhango, High Rollers, etc.,” she explains. These iconic South African soapies, with their gripping tales of love, betrayal, and ambition, became her unintended film school. Her very first role? An extra in High Rollers. “I felt like, yes, this is where I belong,” she says, capturing that electric aha moment when worlds align. Though background work meant long hours for fleeting glimpses on screen, it was a foot in the door—and Esther kicked it wide open.
She did not stop at extras. In South Africa, Esther pursued acting classes, honing her craft amid the competitive Mzansi scene. “In South Africa, I used to attend some acting classes, and I intend on going back to South Africa and actually study Acting,” she shares, her eyes undoubtedly sparkling with plans. That drive carried her back to Uganda, where the industry presented fresh hurdles. “What challenges did you face breaking into the acting scene in Uganda? It is hard to know where castings are, coz we don’t have agencies, it’s more of who knows you.” Uganda’s nascent film world relies heavily on networks, not formal pipelines, making breakthroughs a game of persistence and serendipity.
Yet, breakthroughs came. Today, Esther shines as Queen Kyana (also referred to as Queen Chana in fan buzz) in the Ugandan TV series Damalie, a role that has catapulted her into the spotlight. “Damalie has given me more screen time and experience, so I am proud of Queen Kyana,” she beams.
The character—a regal, multifaceted queen—mirrors Esther’s own blend of grace and grit, allowing her to explore depths of emotion on a platform that is reshaping Ugandan storytelling. It is a highlight in a career dotted with cameos, but one that feels like destiny. “Which acting projects or roles stand out for you as career highlights so far? Damalie has given me more screen time and experience, so I am proud of Queen Kyana.”
Her acting resume whispers of bigger horizons. Registered with platforms like MultiChoice Talent Factory and StarNow, Esther’s profile boasts background roles in heavy-hitters like Madiba, alongside her self-taught flair for dance and drama from school days. Fans on TikTok rave about her in Young, Famous, and African, where her influencer energy lights up the cast. From Johannesburg extras to Kampala queenly turns, Esther’s acting journey is a bridge between continents, proving that talent knows no borders.
Tuning In: The High-Energy World of NRG Radio
If acting is Esther’s heart, radio is her pulse—fast, fierce, and full of fire. Her entry into Uganda’s airwaves was pure fairy-tale hustle. “How did you land the opportunity to work with NRG Radio? I auditioned for the Beast MVP competition, and I won.” That victory at the NRG Beast MVP contest was not luck—it was the culmination of her street-honed charisma meeting a stage that demanded it.
A typical day at NRG? “It is always high energy, and I feel like NRG challenges me to become more serious about my entertainment career.” Picture this: Mornings blending into afternoons of scripting segments, bantering with co-hosts like DJ Vee, and rating everything from Luganda skills to the latest iPhone drops.
Esther thrives in this rhythm, her voice a Kampala staple on 106.5 FM, where she has tackled topics from youth health campaigns—”It starts with you acting now to keep your life healthy and good as a youth”—to viral challenges like waterfall rappelling at Sipi Falls on Independence Day.
What hooks her most? “What do you enjoy most about being on the radio? The ability to bring any crazy idea, and it is supported.”
That creative freedom has transformed her. “Has radio changed how you connect with your audience compared to acting or TV hosting? Yes, I think I have become more poised and composed.” Listeners tune in not just for the beats, but for Esther’s unfiltered vibe—raw, relatable, and ready to roast. She has been tagged as a radio talent to watch by industry insiders, a nod to her rising star power.
Love in the Limelight: Hosting The Pan African Dating Show
Nothing captures Esther’s magnetic pull quite like The Pan African Dating Show (PDS), the YouTube sensation where hearts race and cultures collide. Streaming live every Thursday at 11 PM EAT on YouTube and Facebook, the show unites the African diaspora in blind dates, speed rounds, and heartfelt confessions—no swipes required. Esther’s hosting gig? A divine plot twist. “How did you become the host of The Pan African Dating Show? Oshay Duke Jackson saw my video while I was reacting to his video titled ‘Africans are beggars, ‘ and he commented, asking me to come to his podcast. Little did I know, God is about to use him to change my life for the better.”
What sets PDS apart? “The fact that diasporans can date each other without paying for an app like Tinder,” Esther explains, highlighting its accessible, community-driven vibe. Episodes buzz with energy—from African American men speed-dating Ugandan ladies to blindfolded dates that spark laughter and longing. Esther’s favorite moment? “Did a street interview and a student lawyer said lawyers don’t marry.” Pure gold.
Hosting live across platforms is not all glamour. “What challenges come with hosting a live dating show that streams across platforms? Always making sure you connect people meanwhile you are single.” Her humor disarms the irony, but it is her empathy—born from personal quests for connection—that makes matches feel genuine. Discovered from the streets by show boss Oshay, Esther’s PDS role has amassed thousands of views, with fans gushing over her radiant energy on her birthday shoutouts. It is more than a job—it is a movement, and Esther is at its beating heart.
Milestones, Mentors, and the Messy Middle
Esther’s biggest win? “Working at the pan African dating show, NRG Radio, and now acting? Crazy.” No awards yet—”Not yet.” But recognitions simmer: UBC Chilling Show featured her resilience tale, from poverty to the public eye.
Influences? “The Ebonies and the Nabwisos,” power couples whose blended worlds echo her own cross-continental flair.
Tough times? Plenty. “There is a lot, but when I came back to Uganda without a plan, life hit me hard, but there is a song I used to play all the time and cry my sorrows out. It is called BELIEVE by ELI BULAMU. It always gave me hope to hold on and try again.” That anthem became her lifeline, a reminder that tears fuel triumphs.
Criticism? She sifts wisely: “How do you handle criticism and pressure from being in the public eye? If it’s positive criticism, I listen; if it is negative, I don’t care.” Grounded by travel—”Traveling is my best friend. It takes my sorrows away.”—and her founding of Hope on the Rock Ministries, Esther balances fame with faith.
Dreaming Lupita-Sized: The Road Ahead
Where next? “Emmys, Oscars, I have a dream to be the Lupita Nyong’o for Uganda.” In five to ten years, envision Esther on global stages, her name synonymous with Ugandan excellence. Advice for aspiring stars? “Gaslight your mind, don’t believe in reality, never limit yourself.” It is the ethos that has carried her from streets to screens.
Her legacy? Bold and boundless: “She won Uganda an Oscar, she was the first Ugandan to do abcd. That is what I want.” Esther Natukunda is not just entertaining—she is elevating. In Kampala’s edge, where edges sharpen dreams, she is the blade cutting new paths. Tune in, root for her. And who knows? Your blind date with destiny might be next. What is your take, readers? Drop a comment. Let us chat Esther-style.
