Cindy Sanyu Declines to Perform at Uganda Festival London Over Alleged Payment Dispute
Fans attending the 2026 Uganda Festival in London were left disappointed after Ugandan music star Cindy Sanyu declined to perform, citing an alleged payment dispute with the event promoter.
The singer, popularly known as “King Herself,” traveled to the United Kingdom for the event but says she refused to step on stage because the balance of her performance fee had not been paid as agreed.
In a video shared after the incident, Cindy explained her decision directly to fans, apologizing for the outcome while insisting she was honoring the terms of her agreement.
The incident has since sparked discussion among fans about artist payments and promoter obligations.
The 2026 Uganda Festival at Newham Leisure Centre brought together a lineup of Ugandan artists, DJs, MCs, and media personalities for what was expected to be one of the year’s biggest diaspora entertainment events.
Among those who traveled to the United Kingdom were Ray G, A Pass, Vyroota, Viana Indi, Suuna Ben, Kasuku, Lynda Ddane, and John Blaq, all scheduled to entertain festivalgoers.
Cindy Sanyu also made the journey and was expected to perform.
However, when her performance slot arrived, she chose not to take the stage.
According to a video cited by Mbu, Cindy explained that she had agreed with the promoter that her outstanding balance would be paid before she performed.
She said that although she repeatedly waited for confirmation that the payment had been completed, the promoter continued asking her to be patient.
According to Cindy, the payment was still outstanding by the time she was expected on stage.
As a result, she decided not to perform.
In her message, Cindy apologized to fans who had attended the festival hoping to see her perform.
She also urged the promoter to handle similar situations differently in the future.
The provided information does not include a response from the event promoter regarding Cindy’s claims.
Cindy Sanyu has built a reputation as one of Uganda’s most influential female musicians, earning the nickname “King Herself” through a career spanning music, live performances, and entertainment leadership.
Known for her outspoken personality, Cindy has previously emphasized the importance of professionalism within the music industry, particularly regarding artist contracts and performance agreements.
The Uganda Festival in London has become a major gathering for the Ugandan diaspora, regularly attracting leading entertainers from Uganda alongside thousands of fans living in the United Kingdom.
This year’s edition featured several prominent artists and personalities, making Cindy’s absence from the stage one of the event’s biggest talking points.
Payment disputes between artists and event promoters can have consequences for everyone involved, including fans who purchase tickets expecting to see scheduled performers.
While Cindy says she was honoring the terms of her agreement, attendees were ultimately left without the performance they had anticipated.
The situation also highlights the importance of clear communication and fulfilling contractual obligations before live events begin.
At this stage, Cindy’s explanation represents her account of what happened, and the promoter has not publicly responded in the information provided.
Cindy’s apology acknowledged the disappointment experienced by fans while making clear that her decision was bsed on what she described as a contractual issue rather than a lack of respect for her audience.
For concertgoers, it was an unexpected ending to what had been promoted as a celebration of Ugandan music and culture in the United Kingdom.
Whether the two sides resolve the dispute privately remains to be seen.
Cindy Sanyu’s decision not to perform became one of the biggest stories to emerge from the 2026 Uganda Festival in London. As fans await further clarification, attention may now turn to whether the event promoter responds to the singer’s account of the dispute.