Jowy Landa, real name Joan Namugerwa, says she has deliberately kept her distance from fellow musicians after learning what she describes as a harsh reality about friendships in Uganda’s music industry.
Speaking during a recent interview, the singer said artists may know each other, exchange greetings and maintain cordial relationships, but she does not consider those connections genuine friendships.
For Jowy, the decision is now simple: focus on her music, stay in her lane and protect her peace.
“I learned that people do not love themselves in this industry. I learnt that the hard way and decided to stay at home. Artists do not love each other and when they meet, they fake it. Right now, I can tell you that I’m just doing my music,” she said.
The singer’s approach marks a significant change from an earlier period in her career when she was part of a girl group featuring Pinky, Nandor Love and Ava Peace.
Jowy said she does not see herself spending that much time with another musician again, emphasizing that she now prefers limited interactions with people in the industry.
“If I find you somewhere, I just say hello but you can never find me again chilling with a musician or even vibing for hours,” she said.
She attributed the decision partly to what she described as envy and jealousy within the entertainment business.
“As a person, I grew up and need my peace of mind; something the industry cannot give me because it has a lot of envy and jealousy,” Jowy added.
The singer also said stories and experiences involving alleged witchcraft within the entertainment industry have reinforced her decision to be cautious about who she trusts.
Rather than turning to fellow artists when she has problems, Jowy said she relies primarily on people close to her, including her family.
“I do not have any artist that I can call up and tell my problems. I stay with them and find solutions on my own. I can tell my mother or my boss. When it is financial, I tell my man,” she said.
Jowy’s comments paint a picture of an artist increasingly focused on maintaining personal boundaries while navigating the music business on her own terms. For now, her circle appears to be small—and deliberately so.