Cindy Opens Up About Running UMA and Avoiding Politics
In Uganda, it is becoming harder to tell where entertainment ends and politics begins.
These days, it feels like every other celebrity is trying their luck in politics. From campaign stages to government meetings, the two worlds keep overlapping.
But for Cindy Sanyu, that is a line she has no interest in crossing.
The self-styled King Herself might be the president of the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA), but she says politics is not part of her rhythm.
During an appearance on Mwasuze Mutya, she opened up about how she manages to draw a line between her music career, her leadership duties, and politics.
She was quick to point out that she is a leader, yes, but definitely not a politician.
I want people to know that I am a leader, not a politician, because those are very different things. Sometimes, someone can be political with zero leadership skills but still find a way to force people to accept them as a leader.
According to Cindy, her decision to lead UMA came from a place of passion, not ambition.
I became the president of UMA out of passion, not because of money or any personal gain. I saw that the industry had problems and someone needed to step up. I thought to myself, if I have the chance to, then let me do it.
When she took over, UMA was filled with drama and division, but Cindy says her approach helped restore calm.
When I started, UMA was full of conflicts, but when people sat down and saw that I was capable, watching how I spoke and led, they began to trust me. That is how I have managed to serve as president for four years.
Still, Cindy admits that politics is not for her.
In fact, she openly says she fears it.
I fear politics. In a way, I am a coward, and I will be very honest about that. The people I lead or inspire belong to different political parties, and I do not want to lose them or change how they feel. Let people feel how they feel. I am here to lead them as artistes. I lead not as a politician but as an artiste.
And when it comes to UMA’s leadership, she insists neutrality is key.
You cannot be the president of UMA and have a political party. It is non-partisan.
