Lupai: How radio shaped my career path

From working in the radio industry for 11 years and hosting big events to being very vocal about youth issues; Lupai Samuel Kenyi, alias Sweetheart, is undoubtedly a man of many hats. The founder of ‘‘I Am Peace Initiative’’ and ‘‘Talk and Tell Africa’’ spoke to The City Review about how he juggled his career as a radio journalist and a musician at the same time.

Sarah: Thank you for honouring the interview. Tell us about your childhood and how you got inspired to choose radio.

Lupai: I grew up in Adjumani in northern Uganda and studied both my primary school and ordinary level there. Later, I went to Kampala to complete my advanced level. I grew up a staunch Jehovah’s Witness believer. So I used to preach to teachers and talk to people, but growing up, I was an avid listener of radio, listening to local stations and, in the evening, the BBC. That united my passion as a child to engage in the media.

Sarah: Could you tell us your captivating hosting style that could inspire an upcoming broadcaster out there.

Lupai: I got an opportunity to join radio, and we are counting years now. I realised that there was a programmatic way for one to follow and produce a program, and during my first year on the radio, I was characterised by that. But, over time, I realised that in order to be successful on radio, one must be creative and flexible, and some radio rules must be flexible in terms of programming in order for you to be a better version of yourself and not just a one-program presenter. I always tell the media houses to give me the liberty to do what I want to bring out my creativity, and in the long run, I do it wholeheartedly.

Sarah: While presenting a programme on the radio, how do you manage anger because some listeners are annoying?

Lupai: Professionally, you either hang up the call or politely claim there’s a network issue.

Sarah: As an event host, what personality traits and skills do you think an event host should have?

Lupai:  There is a need to know and understand the audience and event so that you can match accordingly. Not everybody can host an event. Do not put yourself in a position where you will be unable to deliver. Your dress and grooming [must match the occasion]. When an event host gets on stage, there is a way people connect with you, and when you understand the event, you make sure you dress accordingly. Some people host sports events in suits.

Sarah: In your journey of hosting events, what is the worst you have ever experienced?

Lupai: Well, I have language issues, especially when it comes to speaking Arabic. I find it hard to connect with the crowd, and if I speak, they tend to laugh at me. Sometimes it is the event organisers who do not give detailed information so as not to mess up. It becomes a challenge when you do not have a clear picture.

Secondly, people who do not pay. I would rather someone walk up to me and ask if I can be of help rather than give empty promises, which in the end lower morale.

Sarah: How do you overcome them?

Lupai: It is a learning process for me. There are people I vowed never to work for again, even if you are offering me thousands of dollars. And if you want to work with me, you either pay me 100 per cent or we don’t work at all.

Sarah: Sambro, as the brain behind I am a peace initiative who wants to make the world a more peaceful place, how would you define peace?

Lupai: We believe peace is a mindset and can be pushed by narratives, and relationships. If you have a good relationship with people and yourself, because we know there are so many internal conflicts, within one’s self, you are battling a lot, but trying to overcome them through dialoguing and settling disputes, that to us is peace. I am Peace’s main focus is to create and build relationships, which is why we are creating platforms to do so.

Sarah: Now, tell us about the consultancy bit.

Lupai: I consult with different experts. I do it on different radio stations. For instance, I went to Radio Amadi when it was opened and trained them on how to go on-air and also see who fits where in terms of programming. I do communications, mainly on awareness-raising and peace-building, and also create content to be presented during workshops. I have also ventured into entertainment consultancy. Some people reach out to me, and I help them accordingly.

Sarah: When you said you left your job at radio for Sbizzy and he left music for you, does that justify the reason you joined the industry?

Lupai: So, someone asked whether I was a musician or not. When I released my first song, “Wonusu”, I was trying to communicate something. Some people listen to songs because of the messages they carry. I am not just a musician, but I will define myself as a communicator. Irrespective of the voice, other components like production and lyrics are also important, but my key aspect is what I am communicating.

Sarah: Your first release of the song was on September 4, 2021, how was the reception?

Lupai: People are still coming to terms with the adjustment and believe that Sambro can now sing. The song got a lot of attention because many didn’t see it coming. I have got a lot of overwhelming support, and money. Just the other day, one of my friends lent me a Range Rover to cruise around town, not because I am a celebrity, but because of the song that I did that touched him so much.

Sarah: You have recently released two songs at once; “Somot” and “Mamita.” Tell us more about the songs.

Lupai: I was inspired by the events that have been happening in Kajo Keji. A lot has been happening in South Sudan recently, and usually, if you come from a certain part of a community, you always receive first-hand information before even other people from different parts of the country.

I am engaged with people on different platforms from Kajo Keji. All I hear are things related to envy and hatred among people, and I took it upon myself to sing about the situation and pass on a message. We are all people from the same region, though we have different political affiliations. If we start killing ourselves, we are like big fish eating small fish. That’s like a metaphor for this song.

As for “Mamita’’, I was inspired by my wife. I am a newcomer to the marriage institution. I did it for her, but just to divert people’s minds.  I had to use another name and bring in hers too, but at the end of it all, it was a special dedication to the love of my life.

Sarah: Talk and tell Africa is a subsidiary of I am Peace. What does it entail?

Lupai: They always say, “What impacts are you creating?” Or what legacy are you living behind? I don’t want to be perceived as a selfish person. So, yes, talk and tell is here, and as Sambro develops initiatives such as public speaking and radio presenting skills, we make certain that we equip people with the fundamentals of becoming a good communicator. We give them platforms to communicate. We will be broadcasting on Talk and tell Africa and relying on local radio stations. It’s more like listening to BBC, Voice of America, and DW on different radio stations.

Sarah: As one of the longest-serving media professionals in the country, how would you advise young people that you inspire or want to be like you?

Lupai: If you want to join the music industry, first ask yourself, “What do I lose?” If you are not losing but gaining, then do it wholeheartedly. The questions help people look at the gaps and challenges and work towards fixing them before they embark on the journey. What do you have to lose if you look up to Sambro Lupai as a musician, radio host, event host, or peacemaker?That should be your motivational question. If you lose nothing that means you are winning, so I urge you to go for it. And if you lose, go back to the drawing board and make things right.