Ugandan comedian Yokana Mbuuse, popularly known as Kapere Lufotose, did not have an easy journey to fame. Behind the laughter that made him a household name was a life marked by childhood rejection, hardship, illness and determination. He turned the physical features that once exposed him to ridicule into a source of entertainment, eventually becoming one of the familiar faces in Uganda’s comedy industry through Amarula Family, television skits and music videos.

Kapere’s early life was shaped by family struggles and loss. He reportedly lost his mother while still an infant and was raised by his grandparents in Nansana. During a television interview in January 2025, he recalled meeting his father when he was in Primary Three. He said his father warned him against troubling his grandmother and did not take an active role in raising him, leaving him to grow up without the paternal support he needed.

His education was also interrupted by health challenges. Kapere revealed that he developed a hernia which forced him to leave school. With limited opportunities, he turned to construction work to earn a living before receiving medical assistance through the Mukisa Foundation in Lungujja. After treatment, he learnt how to make keyholders and later worked as a gatekeeper at the same foundation, long before he became a recognised entertainer.

His breakthrough into comedy came through an unexpected encounter with a taxi driver who encouraged him to look for comedian Allan Mujuni, popularly known as Amooti, at Jenina’s Bar in Nakulabye. Amooti gave him an opportunity to perform, although Kapere initially struggled to understand why audiences laughed at him even before he had delivered his jokes. He eventually learnt to use his facial expressions, body movements and timing to entertain people, turning what others had mocked into his greatest strength.

One of the performances that helped establish his identity was a skit called Lufotoose, inspired by a public disagreement between a businessman and a Kadongo Kamu singer. The performance caught public attention, and the name eventually became closely associated with him. He later became part of Amarula Family alongside Amooti and Nicholas Mpiirwe, popularly known as Messe Bontwe. Amooti described him as a quick learner who contributed ideas during rehearsals and gradually developed into a performer capable of entertaining audiences with simple gestures, dancing and facial expressions.

Beyond comedy, Kapere also appeared in Robert Kyagulanyi’s music video titled Mr Money, where he played a wealthy man trying to win a woman’s affection by offering her possessions. His connection with Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, later extended into politics. Kapere supported the National Unity Platform and, in June 2025, collected nomination forms as he sought the party’s backing to contest for a councillor position in Makindye, showing that his ambitions went beyond the entertainment industry.

In his private life, Kapere built a family with Lydia Nakandi, popularly known as Mama Trump. The two first met during an Amarula Family performance at Queen’s Palace in Jinja, where Kapere reportedly paid her entrance fee after a bouncer stopped her at the door. They began living together in Makindye in 2013 before later formalising their marriage at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga. In an interview published in February 2026, the couple spoke about the prejudice they faced because of their relationship, with Kapere appreciating his wife for standing by him. He also spoke about raising their four children and ensuring they received the paternal care he had missed while growing up.

Kapere’s life came to an end on November 1, 2026, when he died at a hospital in Buddo, Wakiso District. His death sparked tributes from fans, fellow entertainers and political figures, including Bobi Wine, who remembered him as a friend and comrade whose humour helped people through difficult moments. Although his journey began with rejection and limited opportunities, Kapere managed to build a career, raise a family and venture into public leadership. His story remains a reminder of how he transformed personal struggles into a career that brought laughter to many Ugandans.