ENT – Orikamire Akababi: Ainebyoona Craft alias McCraft, is a born of Mbarara, in the present day Rwampara district, aged 23. He is a journalist, content creator and gospel artist.
_Why do you choose to be McCraft?_
My love for media hasn’t started today and neither did I start falling for it yesterday. I have always engaged myself in entertainment such as playing piano since 2013 which has contributed to my getting close to people in entertainment leading to writing as well as recording my own songs plus the pursue of my academics against media.
_Is your family happy for what you’re doing?_
My family especially Dad and Mum have always followed me and love what I do though they still say that they see less value in what I do even the fact that I grew up in church and still do ministry up to now. It actually hits me hard but I have self courage that this will yield me a lot. But my other family members like what I’m doing nevertheless.
_How is your media background?_
Well, around mid early 2021, I created a TikTok account but of course I had some knowledge about social media from other cites. So, during late 2022 as I did a National Certificate in Journalism and Media Studies, I started doing song challenges and some other videos in my own voice in English plus Runyankole but could not fetch the online engagement as expected. So, I think it was a few weeks/months after the institute, I decided to record a video in Runyankole talking about dirty jerryacans and wearing shoes without stockings and this had Kizz Daniel’s & Tekno’s Buga in the background. From then, it was that video that went viral and surely I had to rank that content my breakthrough. Apparently, I am massively known for my Runyankole comic content that has been making rounds on social media — mostly with oldies music in the background. In here, I try to create a radio ambiance, calling it McCraft’s Bush Radio – Orikamire Akababi.
_’McCraft’s Bush Radio – Orikamire Akababi’ and your costume, all of these sound and seem laughable! Why?_
The fact that I do my videos from the bush is where I derived the name McCraft’s Bush Radio — and then Orikamire Akababi is a comical slogan. Just imagine swallowing a leaf!
You can be surprised if I tell you that I can walk around town in my usual clothes and no one will recognize my identity but I just by either saying a word, someone will have to recognize the voice. The same thing as when I one day chose to wear my costume doing a video by the roadside; almost everyone had to shout out “McCraft”, “owa Bush Radio”, “Orikamire Akababi” etc.
_What has made things hard in your content delivery?_
I do many things including my job away from content creation because I’m a radio and TV personality. So, it is sometimes hard for me to create room to think about what to act next. Kwonka na data ya Uganda! It really hits hard! Because I don’t remember having at least 1GB for at least three hours.
_What have you so far gained from content creation?_
Social and economic capital are the main things I have witnessed so far. I’ve made as many friends as possible through my content creation, not only that but also getting endorsements from various brands to promote them.
_How have you found journalism?_
Ah, for the last one and a half years, I have worked for different media houses including Sky TV and Vision Radio as a video/news editor and show host. But, I must say that journalism is a vibe.
_What is your view on the comedy/content creation sector in western Uganda?_
I’ve encountered this question several times by the way but western Uganda has the best comedians and content creators but one of the fore challenges is that our audience makes us feel belittled! People like comparing us with other personalities especially those that they have seen fail in life and again — they doubt and have bias for media!
_Can you remember about your first time to hold a microphone to perform?_
I remember one day I was in Mbarara around night hours and there was a happening place that I had to go to, so on entering the place, I found a couple of friends. We had to sit somewhere as we had some soft drinks for ourselves. So, in about ten minutes as I sat inside, the MC shouted out my name, people started to look around for me and I ended up my name being aired to at least go on the platform to perform at least one skit. It being my first time to perform for masses of people didn’t put down my confidence, I realized my performance afterwards when people were telling me that I just made with through amd that it would be better delivering stand up comedy.
_What are your words of encouragement to the next generation of content creators?_
I wish to encourage my fellows that we need to be flexible; to learn, to relearn and to unlearn as well as being persistent even wjen the conditions are calling for us to leave the game.
_Finally, do you hangout or engage yourself in anything during your free time?_
Nkunda kweriira, haha — but I as well like doing online research, mbweni in short my phone and PC are my pets.
END
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