Obituary: Kapere (Yokana Mbuuse): The Comedian Who Turned Ridicule Into Laughter, Found Love And Stood With NUP

UgandaToday: Obituary: Kapere (Yokana Mbuuse): The Comedian Who Turned Ridicule Into Laughter, Found Love And Stood With NUP

By Uganda Today | November 2, 2026

Uganda is mourning Yokana Mbuuse, popularly known as Kapere Lufotose, the celebrated Amarula Family comedian whose remarkable life journey took him from childhood struggles and public ridicule to national fame, family life and political activism under the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Kapere died on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at a health facility in Buddo, Wakiso District. His death was announced by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who described him as a dear friend, brother and comrade whose humour could make even the darkest moments lighter.

Yet Kapere’s story was much bigger than comedy. It was a story of survival, determination, love, friendship and the pursuit of dignity in a society that often judges people by their physical appearance and financial circumstances.

From A Difficult Childhood To The Amarula Family Stage

Behind Kapere’s unforgettable comic persona was a childhood marked by hardship.

According to accounts he shared publicly, Kapere lost his mother during infancy and was raised by his grandparents in Nansana. He reportedly encountered difficulties in his education, partly because of a health condition involving a hernia that eventually forced him out of school.

His early life was far removed from the glamour of entertainment. He worked at construction sites to earn a living before receiving medical assistance from the Mukisa Foundation in Lungujja.

After treatment, he learnt to make keyholders and reportedly worked as a gatekeeper at the foundation.

His breakthrough into comedy came through an unexpected encounter. A taxi driver encouraged him to seek out comedian Allan Mujuni, popularly known as Amooti Omubalanguzi, at Jenina’s Bar in Nakulabye.

Amooti gave him an opportunity to perform, and Kapere gradually discovered that the very physical features that had attracted ridicule could become a source of entertainment and livelihood.

Together with Amooti and Nicholas Mpiirwe, popularly known as Messe Bontwe, Kapere became a recognisable face of the Amarula Family comedy outfit.

His exaggerated facial expressions, distinctive appearance and physical style of comedy made him instantly memorable.

The Man Who Turned His Appearance Into A Career

In a 2013 interview with Daily Monitor, Kapere spoke candidly about his physical appearance, explaining that he had learnt to embrace what made him different.

He reportedly said that being considered unattractive had become part of his uniqueness and had helped him gain fame, friends and opportunities he might otherwise never have enjoyed.

His story offered a powerful lesson about self-acceptance.

Kapere did not allow public ridicule to define the limits of his life. Instead, he turned it into a professional identity that entertained thousands of Ugandans.

He also featured in music videos, including Bobi Wine’s popular song Mr Money, in which he portrayed a wealthy man seeking to win a woman’s affection.

His work in comedy and music helped him establish a public profile that extended beyond the stage.

Maama Trump: The Woman Who Stood By Him

Perhaps one of the most touching chapters of Kapere’s life was his relationship with his wife, Lydia Nakandi, popularly known as Maama Trump.

When Kapere first married his wife, many people reportedly dismissed the relationship as a joke. However, the couple gradually proved that their bond was genuine, eventually building a family and welcoming children together.

Their relationship became a remarkable example of love that transcended public opinion, financial circumstances and social expectations.

According to accounts of their relationship, the couple met during an Amarula Family performance at Queen’s Palace in Jinja. Kapere reportedly paid her entrance fee after a bouncer stopped her at the door.

Their relationship developed into a lasting partnership, with the couple beginning to live together in Makindye in 2013 before formalising their marriage at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga.

They later built a family together, raising four children.

In interviews, Kapere spoke about the importance of his wife and his desire to give his children the paternal support he had missed during his own childhood.

Love That Was Not Measured By Wealth

One of the most admirable aspects of Kapere and Maama Trump’s relationship was the apparent strength of their companionship despite financial challenges.

Kapere was a public figure whose popularity was not necessarily reflected in material wealth. His life reportedly included difficulties in meeting everyday obligations, including rent.

Yet Maama Trump remained devoted to him.

Her commitment was not defined by the financial status of her husband, but by the person he was. During public interviews and appearances, she consistently carried herself with grace and discipline, reflecting the strength of their partnership.

In a society where some relationships are judged by wealth and material possessions, their marriage offered a different perspective.

Kapere and Maama Trump demonstrated that a family can be built on loyalty, understanding and companionship even when life is financially difficult.

Their story reminds us that genuine love is not necessarily found in the wealthiest homes, but often in the hearts of people who choose to remain together when circumstances become challenging.

Bobi Wine, NUP And The Dubai Trip

Kapere’s relationship with Bobi Wine extended beyond entertainment into friendship and political association.

The comedian became a supporter of the National Unity Platform and developed a close relationship with its president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

In January 2025, Kapere travelled to Dubai alongside Bobi Wine, a trip that became one of the memorable highlights of his public life.

Video: Kapere Lufotose Atuuse E Dubai Ne He — Bobi Wine

Following their return to Uganda, Kapere spoke openly about his gratitude to Bobi Wine, saying the opposition leader had done things for him that others had failed to do over the years.

He also revealed that Bobi Wine had promised to facilitate a future trip to the United States for him and his wife, Maama Trump.

Kapere reportedly expressed his hope that Bobi Wine would eventually become President of Uganda, reflecting the political loyalty that had grown alongside their friendship.

The Dubai trip was therefore not simply a journey abroad. It was a symbol of the opportunities and personal support Kapere associated with his friendship with the NUP leader.

From Comedy To Political Ambition

Kapere’s association with NUP eventually inspired him to pursue a more direct role in politics.

In June 2025, he reportedly collected nomination forms at the NUP headquarters in Kavule, seeking to contest for a councillor position in Makindye.

His move attracted public attention, with supporters viewing it as an attempt by a familiar entertainer to translate his popularity into community representation.

The nomination process also generated discussion after Kapere reportedly struggled to complete an entry in the official registration book.

Despite the controversy, his political ambition reflected a desire to move beyond entertainment and participate in public affairs.

Just a week before his death, NUP spokesperson and Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi reportedly met Kapere at the party headquarters in Kavule.

Ssenyonyi later expressed sadness over his death, describing the encounter as a recent memory that made the news particularly painful.

Bobi Wine Announces The Death Of A Comrade

On Sunday evening, November 1, 2026, Bobi Wine announced the death of Kapere, describing the news as devastating.

He remembered the comedian as a man who brought light into difficult moments and who loved his country.

The NUP leader’s tribute reflected a relationship that had grown through music, friendship, political association and personal support.

Kapere’s death also prompted tributes from fellow entertainers and political figures who remembered him as a gifted artist whose humour touched many lives.

The cause of death had not been officially established in the initial reports. <Cite refs={[“turn957988search0″,”turn957988search5”]}/>

A Legacy Of Laughter, Love And Resilience

Kapere’s life was a reminder that people should never be defined by their physical appearance, financial circumstances or the limitations imposed on them by society.

He turned ridicule into a career, hardship into determination, and public attention into an opportunity to build a family and participate in political life.

His relationship with Maama Trump remains a touching reminder that love can survive financial challenges and public scrutiny.

His friendship with Bobi Wine and his association with NUP added another dimension to a life that had already touched the entertainment industry.

As Uganda mourns Kapere, his legacy will live on through the laughter he brought to audiences, the family he built and the people whose lives he touched.

To Maama Trump and the children, the loss is immeasurable. To his friends, fellow entertainers and NUP comrades, it is the loss of a man whose presence made difficult moments lighter.

Rest in peace, Kapere (Mbuuse). Your laughter will live on.

#Kapere #Mbuuse #MaamaTrump #BobiWine #NUP #UgandaToday