Gladys G’dah Oyenbot, known professionally as Oyenbot, stands as a versatile Ugandan artist and creative leader in the nation’s dynamic entertainment scene. Renowned for her work as a theatre and film actress, singer, and producer, she has earned acclaim through standout roles in projects like Yat Madit (2016), Queen of Katwe (2016), Mpeke Town (2018), and The Girl in the Yellow Jumper (2020). This latter film marked a milestone as Uganda’s first to land a Netflix streaming deal. Her contributions extend across film, television, theatre, and radio, while she actively supports new talent across Africa’s creative landscape.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Gladys G’dah Oyenbot |
| Date of Birth | July 11, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Panyigoro, Nebbi District, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| State of Origin | Nebbi District, Uganda |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Actress, Singer, Producer, Dancer |
| Net Worth | Estimated UGX 750 million – 1 billion |
Early Life and Education
Born on July 11, 1982, in Panyigoro within Uganda’s Nebbi District, Gladys Oyenbot grew up amid the country’s evolving cultural landscape. Though few specifics about her early years are widely shared, her passion for performance emerged young and guided her path forward.
She attended Makerere University, Uganda’s premier institution, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Drama. This training honed her skills in acting, stagecraft, and storytelling, immersing her in Kampala’s lively arts community and preparing her for diverse performance styles.
Career
Oyenbot began her career in theatre, demonstrating remarkable versatility through diverse stage roles from 2010 onward.
She tackled intense plays like The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield in the Bosnian War by Matei Vișniec and Aida Mbowa’s Desperate to Fight, alongside standout performances as Charlotte in Oliver Twist (2012), a witch in Macbeth (2013), Hero in Much Ado About Nothing (2014), and later works like Hustle Box (2017) and Ga-ad (2016).
Transitioning to screen, she gained prominence in Mira Nair’s Disney film Queen of Katwe (2016) as a shopkeeper and Lupita Nyong’o’s stand-in, followed by her acclaimed television role as Beatrice in Yat Madit (2016) on NTV Uganda, depicting domestic abuse survival.
Her screen work expanded with the lead in education-driven Mpeke Town (2018) and Victoria in Netflix thriller The Girl in the Yellow Jumper (2020), plus credits like Family Tree (2019), Reflections (2018), Kaffa-Coh (2018), and radio dramas Mako-Mere (2010) and Rock Point 256 (2006).
Oyenbot co-produced Kyenvu (2018), contributed to Nyege Nyege Festival (2017), and co-founded Tebere Arts Foundation in 2018 with Rehema Nanfuka to train emerging artists. She advocates for professional standards to elevate Uganda’s industry amid global streaming opportunities.
Personal Life
Oyenbot keeps her private world discreet, sharing no public details on marriage or family. She prioritizes balance through exercise, project breaks, and non-industry friendships, fueling her sustained creativity and well-being.
Oyenbot Net Worth
Her wealth, estimated between UGX 750 million and 1 billion (roughly USD $200,000-$270,000), stems from acting across mediums, production ventures, event singing, festival involvement, and mentorship initiatives. This reflects her savvy navigation of Uganda’s expanding entertainment market.
Filmography
Film and Television
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Boy No Fear | Witch Doctor | Jonathan Curtis |
| 2022 | I Eat What I Like | Hellen | Shari |
| 2022 | KeyCard | Shamila | Douglas Dubois Sebamala |
| 2022 | Vanilla | Miriam | Aganza Kisaka |
| 2021 | Black Glove | Shamila | Angella Emurwon |
| 2020 | The Girl in the Yellow Jumper | Vicky | Loukman Ali |
| 2019 | The Reporter | Nekesa | Sharpe Sewali |
| 2019 | Family Tree | Theresa | Nicole Nabugabo |
| 2018 | Reflections | Amanda | Nana Kagga |
| 2018 | Kaffa-Coh | Kisaka | Gilbert Lukalia |
| 2018 | Mpeke Town | Dorotia | Shani Grewal |
| 2017 | 256 | Midwife | Stella Namatovu |
| 2017 | Communion | Gashanga | Patience Nitumwesiga |
| 2016 | Yat Madit | Beatrice | Irene Kulabako |
| 2016 | Queen of Katwe | Shopkeeper/Stand-in | Mira Nair |
| 2016 | The Bag | Mukyala Mulokole | Douglas Kasule Benda |
| 2015 | 5 @Home | Co-star | Lloyd Lutara |
| 2013 | Haunted Souls | Aciru | Godwin Otwoma |
Theatre Performances
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Hustle Box | Student | Rehema Nanfuka |
| 2016 | Ga-ad | Toto, old woman, singer | Adong L Judith |
| 2016 | Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames | Spoilt brat | Sheila K Tugume |
| 2015 | The Body of a Woman…Bosnian War | Dora and others | Benoit Vitae et al. |
| 2014 | Desperate to Fight | Marta | Aida Mbowa |
| 2014 | Much Ado About Nothing | Hero | Peter Wiedmann et al. |
| 2013 | Macbeth | A witch | Tom Adlam et al. |
| 2013 | Beautiful Africa | As self, singer | MercyRose Ssendegeya |
| 2012 | Silent Voices | Margret | Denis Hilton |
| 2012 | Oliver Twist | Charlotte, mother, Soloist | Trudy Mcgilvry |
| 2012 | Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames | Spoilt brat | Sheila K Tugume |
| 2010 | Restore Tour | Mother, Abducted Child | Dawn Stride |
Radio Drama
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Mako-Mere | Catherine Achieng | Achiro P Olwoch |
| 2006 | Rock Point 256 | Rebecca | Asiimwe Deborah |
Production Credits
| Year | Title/Event | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Kyenvu | Kemiyondo Coutinho | Co-producer |
| 2017 | Nyege Nyege Music Festival | Poppy Spowage |
Awards and Nominations
These honors highlight her prowess, from international wins for Vanilla (2022) to domestic trium
By 2025, Oyenbot plans OYENBOT Entertainment to create content and nurture filmmakers. She eyes global collaborations with stars like Cate Blanchett and Viola Davis, while Tebere Arts Foundation amplifies her role in elevating African cinema worldwide.
