Katoto
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 "Yo Katoto!".
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Katoto is a Ugandan animated web series created by Richard Musinguzi, it's first episode was uploaded online on September 2014.
A variety of 11 episodic shorts were uploaded online from 2014 to 2015.
One episode, "Katoto Rides A Bodda", was uploaded on April 2019 with a unique watercolour art style.
11 more episodes (reverting back to the signature rough sketch art style) were premiered online between 2020 and 2021.
As of October 2024, brand new episodes are in the works, confirmed by creator Richard Musinguzi on his and the show's official Instagram handles.
Plot
A Ugandan animated series featuring local happy-go-lucky Mukiga village man Katoto, catching himself in hilarious escapades with his son Katabazi, his wife Madame and family owned cow, Kyasina.
Why it's very good, very good
- Having an animated series based on the day-to-day life of a South Western Ugandan man and his exploits is something you rarely ever see on media. The show also encourages young South Western Ugandan folk to embrace their Mukiga roots and culture through an indigenously made show, as well as introducing outside audiences a new taste of an African ethnic nationality.
- Amazing hand drawn animation as it takes on a rough sketch art style, while also embracing the use of the "bean mouth/calarts" approach fused with "Golden Age of Animation" inspiration.
- The unique watercolour style of 2019 episode "Katoto Rides A Bodda" is pretty good.
- A wide list of characters that are very likable.
- Katoto himself is the bungling, clueless, yet friendly and enthusiastic main character, getting into a state of mishaps and escapades around his home region.
- Madame is the bubbly, caring wife of Katoto.
- Katabazi is the street-smart, loving little son of Katoto, and alert, right-hand man.
- Kyasina is the cautious, companionable family cow.
- Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is the Ugandan president, a real-life insert of the actual politician. Despite the fact that his real life character may be controversial (later explained in Bad Qualities), he's portrayed here as a friendly influential figure and Katoto's biggest fan, which can be somewhat fine in its own right.
- Katoto's village folk are just as pleasant.
- Being a Ugandan show, it effortlessly catches the Ugandan slice-of-life vibe of an ethnicity proud character without implementing aspects that may feel too out of place, through animation, making it's concept even better.
- Simple, yet funny stories and adventures we catch the characters in.
- Humourous voice acting work, most prominently Julius Anuari as Katoto, as his signature yapping of broken English and local language. Other numerous voice actors for the other characters are just as great to listen to.
- Nicely put together original soundtrack, utilising traditional Ugandan and general instruments to make a compelling mood.
- Hilarious lines, such as:
- "Ah yes! very good, very good!"
- "You know on put Googuul (Google)!
- "Is dat crocodile looking at meh like dat, nahahaha!"
- "FISHING?! With a mosquito net!"
- "Kep da volume low, er Katabazi is ah studying!"
- "Nah nah waaay, measles!"
- Very funny gags and jokes.
- Mabaya is a neat mini-antagonist, being leader of an infamous mosquito herd that terrorises Katoto's village during nightfall. Fortunately for the village folk, they're saved by free mosquito nets given out by Museveni.
- Enjoyable theme tune, complete with the famous "Yo Katoto!" call out played in the beginning.
- It carries a great sense of atmosphere, for example, the quiet Mukiga village life.
Bad Qualities
- A few animation errors can be present here and there, though very minor.
- As stated in WIVGVG#3, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the real life president of Uganda, isn't an acclaimed leader by a lot of Ugandans. And although portrayed as the friendly heroic figure in this series, it may rub people off the wrong way, accusing Katoto of turning into political propaganda than a heartfelt cartoon.
Trivia
- Katoto was created by self-taught Ugandan animator, pianist and architect Richard Musinguzi and friends, who envisioned the cartoon character as a Ugandan Mickey Mouse-type equivalent in pop-culture.
- The show has at least one COVID-19 based episode released in 2020, the era of the pandemic.
- Katoto has appeared in various tie-in campaigns and commercials for local Ugandan amenities.
- The art style of Katoto has notably changed overtime. Going from general "Golden Age of Animation" inspired style to a "calarts" style approach, while still retaining the rough sketch style.
Reception
Katoto overall received a modest amount of praise online for it's animation, authentic vibe, charming characters and clever jokes.
However, the show has also gained some backlash from viewers of it's home country for it's excessive political messaging and it's excessive overpraising of politician Museveni, a leader that's thought by many to not have a positive disposition.
References
TBA