Ugandan singer Sama Sojah has sparked a conversation about discipline in the music industry, arguing that being too accommodating can sometimes work against artists trying to establish themselves.
Speaking on Galaxy TV, Sama said he was surprised to discover that discipline and good manners do not always translate into success in Uganda’s competitive music scene.
“You won’t find five disciplined musicians, and I’m not among them. The more you show people that you have discipline, they turn you into a rug, so it’s important to have some discipline with respect,” he said.
Sama’s argument is not that musicians should abandon discipline. Instead, he believes artists need to combine good manners with the ability to recognize when they are being overlooked and stand up for themselves.
He recalled an experience at a performance where he arrived earlier but allowed other musicians to take the stage before him.
“I left them to sing, thinking that they had somewhere to be, but when time also caught up with me and I wanted to step on stage, the microphone was to be fought for,” Sama explained.
The experience, according to the singer, taught him that constantly giving way to others can eventually leave an artist fighting for the same space they were initially entitled to occupy.
For Sama, the lesson is about balance: musicians can remain respectful and disciplined without becoming so accommodating that others take advantage of their willingness to wait.
His comments add to his recent candid discussions about life and the realities of navigating Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Ultimately, Sama’s message is straightforward: respect should not mean surrendering your space.