SHALOM KAWEESI, a TikTok content creator and entrepreneur, has had a life full of twists and turns.

Born in the Kawempe division of Kampala city, he has made a name for himself with his unapologetic humour and unbridled passion for storytelling. From being suspended multiple times in school to becoming a popular figure on TikTok and YouTube, Shalom’s journey is a true rags-to-riches story.

Quick Talk recently had a chat with him.

Who, exactly, is Shalom Kaweesi?

I am a Ugandan born in Kawempe, a father, entrepreneur and a guy who has hustled through life.

So, which schools did you hustle through?

[Bursts into laughter] Well, I had a tough ride with schools – suspensions and expulsions made me go to a number of them. Notably, I attended Wakiso Junior for primary, Al Haq Muslim School and Seeta High Green campus.

What sparked all the suspension and expulsion trouble?

[Laughs] I was a naughty human being [he still is…] Not brilliant, average grades actually, but with a big personality. I was also very social and influential. Even if you were a newcomer, I would make you feel as if the school was yours or you have been there for a year.

Eventually, I became a threat to the school administration.

Fast forward, what sparked your passion for content creation and entertainment?

Before my current field, I first did music. I had my first song, Pandemic, during the Covid-19 lockdown, but it was a total flop! [Yeah, Quick Talk doesn’t see anyone frantically downloading a song titled Pandemic on Spotify… Dude, what were you thinking?]

Additionally, while I was at Makerere University, I had a passion for music and comedy. I, therefore, tried out the latter. Pablo [comedian, real name Kenneth Kimuli] gave me a stage but the audience did not burst into laughter.

At one point, I had to hire clappers so that I could pull up a great performance, but it all failed. My stepping stone into content creation was last year but one, when I met Kasuku [content creator, real name Isaac Katende] in Kololo.

We had a conversation and somehow, he got interested in my jazz. He inquired about me coming onto the camera and subsequently, he hosted me for an interview which became a hit. Since then, I have kept my head high.

And how has been the journey so far?

Rough! It’s not a bed of roses. People attack you online and twist your story. For instance, someone can write something about you as if he knows you from day one. Others can abuse you, plus your wife and mother, whom they don’t even know.

Your content has over time gained significant traction, especially on TikTok and YouTube. What could be that secret that helps you create that kind of entertaining content?

My content is dependent on the person I am hosting or vice versa. For example, I work with Kasuku, who is open-minded and Frank Ntambi, a liberal man. So, the magic is in being organic without fake English or rules; just pure unfiltered content.

Are there times that your content is scripted, like you rehearse a day before?

One of the reasons why our content is moving on well is that we don’t have a script. We don’t script our shows. We just sit before the camera and everyone says whatever they want to say.

How many takes do you need to make a perfect video?

It depends on who I am hosting. There are times we have to re-shoot or edit a video because some interviewees used obscenities.

In the industry, who could be your biggest inspiration, and why?

It’s Kasuku, without any doubt. Why? His YouTube channel started during the pandemic around 2021, but right now he is the number-one blogger in Uganda.

So, it’s an interesting story of someone who just sits there, and talks about what some people call “stupid” things, yet they motivate others. This has taken him places; and so, I look up to him.

Any memorable experience in the industry, so far?

The attacks [laughs]. There was a time on our Sunday Nation Address where I mentioned something about the Kiteezi landfill incident; and the following day, I got an eviction note from my landlord saying that I should leave the house with immediate effect.

Surprisingly, I had no arrears.

What is one thing your audience might not know about you?

Most people think that I am a Muslim, yet I’m Anglican. I just vibe with everyone.

The entertainment industry can be quite messy. What’s one story you have worked on that you feel you should never have worked on?

The Seeta High School incident [the story of the student who allegedly committed suicide early this year]. I wish I had kept my mouth shut [laughs]. It was taking me, by the way. However, I knew the truth and that is what saved me.

If you could interview any celebrity or public figure, who would it be, and why? [Scratches his head] I would love to interview [CDF, Uganda People’s Defence Forces] General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, because there is something about his tweets.

Then the other person I would love to interview is minister Balaam Barugahara, probably to find out whether he runs his X account. It is rumoured that there is quite a bit of witchcraft in the entertainment industry… There is a lot of witchcraft in the entertainment sector. Someone can even bewitch your YouTube channel and it flops [laughs].

You earlier mentioned that you are an entrepreneur. What do you deal in?

I have been an entrepreneur since childhood. I used to sell popcorn and soap for people who had pimples at Seeta High. I also sold ‘blessed oil’ from Pastor Bujingo to help students pass exams.

At campus, I got into the phones and clothes business. Currently, I own a company called Shalom Health Services which deals with body supplements.

Any advice you would give to any aspiring content creator looking for a chance to break?

Be organic if you want to be successful in this industry. Don’t copy me or Kasuku; just fish your tilapia in this entertainment lake. Additionally, stand by your word, day or night!

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