Simon Kaggwa Njala, the Ugandan journalist famed for his 2012 “Why are you gay?” interview, has recently turned his viral notoriety into a profitable venture on Cameo, following his association with Andrew Tate and Middle East content creators. On this platform, celebrities offer personalised video messages.
In American YouTuber Sonny Side’s video I Found Africa’s Most Expensive Street Food!, filmed at Owino Market in Kampala, Uganda, Simon revealed he makes ‘roughly 20 to 30 cameos a week,’ each of which, according to his cameo profile, costs $100 (UGX 350,000). You’re probably wondering what a cameo is.
Cameo is a site where public figures like Simon, or your favourite TV actor, record short videos, usually based on a user’s script of shout-outs, greetings, or jokes, for paying customers. Think personalised birthday wishes, love messages, apologies or any message you want them to say in a clip. In one of the videos on his profile, Simon Kaggwa Njala delivers a 1-minute and 18-second apology to Kaysie from her partner Jimmy.
Simon’s fans typically request pep talks, birthday wishes, or jokes based on the Why are you gay? clip.
Since joining Cameo on 13 November 2024, Njala has earned a 4.99-star rating and rave reviews from hundreds of buyers, such as;
“My first Cameo request; glad I did it with Simon! Definitely will be requesting again in the future!” – Anonymous
“Simon is the man! He managed to weave in everything we sent him plus his banging one liners. Couldn’t have asked for better!” – hailey.mou
“This was an amazing experience and I am super happy with the result. Simon really made it 100% what i had imagined and it made a perfect surprise for my brothers bday” – Anonymous
Based on Simon’s rough estimate, he makes about $2,000 to $3,000 (UGX 7-10.7M) per week on Cameo. Not a bad side hustle for a 53-year-old journalist closing in on retirement.
Further, cash(-ing) in on the viral Why Are You Gay? sensation, Simon has an online store, whyareyougay.us, featuring a full range of merchandise built around his now-iconic phrase. It includes shirts, hoodies, caps, and mugs, with prices starting at $45. A Dubai-based business partner is reportedly helping him expand into events and more branded products, all rooted in a viral moment that refuses to fade.
On June 18, 2025, Elon Musk tweeted the “Why are you gay” meme, reviving its global presence. The clip has become a staple on Reddit, TikTok, and X, and continues to draw curiosity towards Uganda’s media space.
Whether by chance or strategy, Staunch Catholic Simon Kaggwa Njala has done what few viral figures manage, turning a meme into a profitable enterprise. One can imagine other viral Ugandan stars, like Tenge Tenge or Muzei Kawato (the trending dad dancing with his son), jumping on Cameo. Clearly, the platform effortlessly beats the financial returns of TikTok or even YouTube royalties.
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