Sam Okanya ‘Sammy’ leaves comedy for gospel, appeals for church support

• Former Da Mighty Family comedian Sam Okanya (Sammy) has transitioned from comedy and political activism to launching Emmaus Ministries International.
• After arrest during the #March2Parliament protests and months in detention, he battled serious health complications and financial struggles.
• Now preaching full-time, Sammy is fundraising to improve his modest iron-sheet church structure despite mixed reactions from the public.

Former Da Mighty Family comedian Sam Okanya — popularly known as Sammy — has taken a completely different path in life. Once known for cracking jokes on stage, he is now preaching the gospel as a pastor and building his own church, Emmaus Ministries International.

In a recent video shared on his TikTok and Facebook pages, Sammy opened up about his new journey and the challenges that come with it. He expressed gratitude to a woman who recently supported him with seven bags of cement worth Shs 240,000 to help with construction.

“There’s a woman I want to thank for buying me seven bags of cement because I want to build my church,” he said in the video. “I still have many challenges, including lack of a sound system, but I have the congregation.”

The church structure, which he showed in the clip, is currently a modest setup made of iron sheets. Sammy explained that he does not have to worry about buying land since the church sits on his own property at home. Despite the humble beginnings, he says he is determined to grow the ministry and is calling upon followers and well-wishers for financial support to improve the facilities.

His life has taken several dramatic turns in recent years. Sammy was once an active member of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and participated in the July 2024 #March2Parliament anti-corruption protests. He was arrested, detained, and later remanded to Kitalya Prison, where he spent more than four months in custody before his release in late November 2024.

Following his detention, Sammy reported serious health complications, which he linked to alleged torture during his imprisonment. He later revealed he was suffering from a painful condition that affected his ability to pass urine. His initial treatment was at Bombo Barracks under the UPDF hospital, reportedly with assistance from singer Lil Pazo. He was subsequently transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital in July 2025 for further care.

By September 2025, he was re-admitted to Rubaga Hospital, sparking renewed public appeals to help cover his medical bills. In addition to mounting health expenses, reports in November 2025 indicated he was also facing financial strain, including loan-related troubles that reportedly landed him in police custody.

Former comedian of the Da Mighty Family comedy group, Sam Okanya, who previously spent time as a political prisoner, has transitioned into a pastor. He is currently seeking financial support to complete the construction of his new church, Emmaus Ministries International. pic.twitter.com/QynFyrQoie

— Patro Uganda (@PatroUganda) February 22, 2026

Now focusing on ministry work, Sammy says God has been faithful to him despite everything he has gone through. He claims to have started support groups aimed at helping both women and men within his community, even as he continues to seek financial assistance to strengthen his church.

However, not everyone is convinced. Some netizens have accused him of using his situation as a “fraud scheme” to solicit money from the public — allegations he has not directly addressed.