Hannington Bugingo is a prominent Ugandan comedian, actor, film producer, and advertising strategist. He serves as the managing director of Fun Factory Uganda and is the founding president of The Uganda Comedians Association (TUCA). Bugingo is widely known for his role as Sam in the TV series Mizigo Express and for portraying various characters in Fun Factory’s Comedicine.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Hannington Bugingo |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Mengo Hospital, Kampala, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| State of Origin | Kampala, Uganda |
| Partner | Esther Mirembe Bugingo |
| Children | Four |
| Occupations | Comedian, Actor, Producer, Director, Advertising Strategist, Managing Director Fun Factory Uganda |
| Net Worth | Approximately $3 million |
Early Life and Education
Born on May 12, 1981, at Mengo Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Bugingo is the youngest of five children of Reverend Charles Bafakuleka Mwebaze and businesswoman Ruth Nakate. He grew up in Namuwongo, a densely populated neighborhood in Kampala, before his mother moved him to pursue education away from the slum environment.
He attended Namalemba Mixed Day and Boarding School in Busembatya for primary education, then St. Leo’s College, Kyegobe, for O-levels, and Lubiri Secondary School for A-levels. He later joined Makerere University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama.
Career
Bugingo’s acting career began during his second year at university. After performing a lead role in a play titled The Bear, he was encouraged by his lecturer to form a theatre group. In 2003, Bugingo co-founded Theatre Factory with fellow creatives. The group’s early performances were small-scale, and payment was initially minimal, but they steadily gained an audience.
In 2006, Bugingo appeared as a bodyguard in the film The Last King of Scotland and acted in the short film Roho. He took on a co-directing role in the 2008 movie Kiwani, in which he also starred.
Parallel to his entertainment work, he joined Scanad Uganda Limited as an advertising professional and later worked at Metropolitan Republic, where he won a bronze Loerie Award for an MTN SIM card campaign.
After departing Theatre Factory in 2010 due to disagreements, Bugingo and others founded Fun Factory Uganda, where he became general manager. Fun Factory quickly became Uganda’s top comedy group, producing the popular sketch series Comedicine.
Bugingo plays several recurring characters in the sketches. He later focused fully on Fun Factory and co-founded KIB Marketing and Advertising Agency. In 2015, Bugingo produced the politically charged film Situka, aimed at youth empowerment. From 2018 onwards, he starred in the TV series Mizigo Express as Sam Mugisha.
Bugingo supported emerging talent and was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Uganda National Cultural Centre in 2024. He also founded The Uganda Comedians Association to promote the industry.
Personal Life
Hannington Bugingo married Esther Mirembe in 2009, and they have four children. He maintains a positive outlook on life, credited to exercise, laughter, and an open-minded attitude. Bugingo joined the Rotary Club of Kampala Munyonyo in 2019. He is also known for political activism through film and faced government scrutiny for his advocacy work.
Net Worth
Bugingo’s estimated net worth is around $3 million, earned through his diverse talents in entertainment, advertising, and management.
Filmography
Film
- The Last King of Scotland (2006) – Bodyguard
- Roho (2006) – Ragos
- Kiwani: The Movie (2008) – Kaggwa (Co-directed)
- Situka (2015) – Executive Producer
Television
- U-Turn (2010–2017) – Various roles
- Da Ghetto President (2013–2014) – Director
- Comedicine (2010–Present) – Various characters
- Mizigo Express (2018–Present) – Sam Mugisha
Awards and Nominations
Bugingo won a bronze Loerie Award in 2011 for his work on the MTN SIM card registration campaign. He remains a respected figure in Uganda’s entertainment scene with recognized contributions in comedy and film production.
