Cindy Sanyu calls out ‘entitlement’ culture in Uganda’s music industry – Sqoop

Singer Cindy Sanyu has challenged what she describes as an unwritten rule in Uganda’s music industry — the expectation that artistes automatically owe each other lifelong support simply because they have worked together.

Cindy argues that collaborating on a song, performing on the same stage or working together in the studio should not create an obligation for artistes to attend every funeral, celebration or personal event involving their former collaborators.

She says the industry needs to move away from what she calls a culture of entitlement, where people expect support without making a direct request.

“We artists have this culture of you don’t call somebody but just expect them to be there and that thing is wrong and we need to change it. That entitlement is just wrong,” she said during an interview on After 5.

For Cindy, there is a clear difference between professional connections and genuine personal friendships.

She argues that once a professional service has been paid for and completed, it should not automatically create a lifelong personal obligation.

“When I work with a producer and pay them, our relationship is over. I don’t expect them in the future when they have lost someone, I have to go,” she explained.

Cindy, however, says she is not against artistes supporting one another. Her concern is with the assumption that such support should come automatically.

She believes there is a difference between being invited by someone who genuinely wants you around and being expected to appear simply because you once worked together.

“It is different if someone calls and asks you to be there for them,” she said.

The singer’s argument challenges a long-standing culture within Uganda’s entertainment circles, where professional collaborations can sometimes develop into personal networks that are expected to extend beyond the original project.

“There is this thing that just because we did something together, it means I have to show up at everything that happens in their life,” Cindy said.

For her, genuine relationships should be built on mutual connection and communication rather than an unwritten obligation created by a past collaboration.