DO I QUIT MY JOB FOR ACTING?

This article is a page from my upcoming book ‘LETTERS TO MY ACTOR’,  my personal dedication to actors who will land on a copy. Its a compilation of letters of insights and guidance from me as an acting coach to actors. I have been procrastinating a lot to finish this book but i am now pumped and focusing on it. I will share updates. Let’s go…..

“I want to fully commit to acting and do only that. Am I making a mistake?”

This is a question I’ve been asked a lot recently by passionate actors. And here’s my honest take, it’s long, but necessary.

Let’s be real, acting is an unreliable job, especially in a young, still-developing industry like Uganda’s. I’ve spoken with actors who want to quit their jobs to pursue acting full-time. I’ve met others who refuse to look for work outside acting, convinced that it’s all they need.

What do I tell them?

You will die of stress, frustration, poverty, exhaustion, and bankruptcy if you’re not careful. Acting gigs that actually pay enough to live on are rare, and when they do come, they don’t last long.

Here’s what I’ve learned: The more financially stable you are, the more emotionally available and creatively productive you’ll be. When your rent is paid, you have food on the table, and you’re not drowning in bills, you can show up on set fully present and focused.

Today you’re a star; tomorrow you’re unemployed and unknown. I know actors who were once the faces of prime-time shows. When the show ended, so did their income. And because they’d been on TV, people assumed they were “expensive” to hire. Their public image had changed, expectations rose, but income didn’t. Society expects them to live large, while the paycheck from TV was, let’s be honest, very little.

Ugandan television elevates your profile but rarely your bank account. When they cut you off, they move on quickly, always hunting for new faces.

Then there’s film… KATONDA wange! Producers will ask you to work for free, to “sacrifice” for our film. You’re told to bring your own clothes, use your own makeup, feed yourself. And you do it because you love acting. After the shoot, the producer vanishes. Sometimes you’re not even invited to the premiere. If you are, and it’s a success, you still get nothing, just more silence or excuses: “We’re still clearing venue bills,” “I’m working on a new project.” That’s the end of the story.

Meanwhile, the actor struggles. Emotionally. Financially. Mentally.

So, can you really survive on acting alone?

Even globally, acting is a high-risk career. Many actors suffer from depression, substance abuse, and burnout due to the pressure and instability. The answer is clear:

DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB. Acting can’t be your only hustle, not yet. If you have a skill, a profession, or a qualification, use it to create a stable income. Let acting run alongside it.

Manage your schedule. Juggle both. Keep your ears on the ground for projects that fix in your schedule and keep a network.

Because here’s the truth: Acting full-time is for people who have invested and saved enough to afford unpaid auditions, daytime rehearsals, and quiet financial seasons.

Save aggressively. Start small businesses, a boutique, restaurant, consultancy, or even farming. When you’re financially stable, no one can look down on you. You won’t be desperate. And that changes how people treat you.

It also allows you to invest in your growth: You can pay for an acting coach, take masterclasses, show up in style at red carpets, do professional photo shoots, and even hire a manager.

Final word?

I may be wrong… But I’ve lived this.

My landlord was once my biggest fan when my TV show aired every week. But when I failed to pay rent for 3 months, he threw my belongings out. Now? I have a stable day job, and I pursue acting after work and on weekends. I recently ran into him and took him out for coffee.

So no, don’t quit your job yet. Build your balance. Honour your talent.

#WeValueTalent