CREATIVES CALL FOR BETTER ACCESS TO CAPITAL, GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES

Nile post

Ugandan creatives want easier access to government funding, programmes and information, saying financing gaps and limited awareness are holding back businesses and jobs in the sector.

Ugandan creatives have called for improved access to capital, government programmes and information, saying limited financing and lack of awareness continue to constrain the growth of the creative industry.

The call was made on Saturday during the Pakasa for Creatives Forum, organised by the Sanyu Centre for Arts and Rights (SARI) at Samson Memorial High School in Kyebando, Kampala.

The forum brought together creatives from different disciplines, including crafts, writing, performing arts, fashion and design, as well as government agencies and other stakeholders supporting Uganda’s creative economy.

Sylvia Nalubega, director of Sanyu Centre for Arts and Rights, said the forum was organised to bridge the information gap and help creatives understand government programmes available to them.

“We want to create that dialogue, to bridge the knowledge gap, to ensure that creatives know what is meant for them, how they can benefit from it and what is their responsibility,” Nalubega said.

Nalubega said government programmes and facilities can only benefit creatives if they know where to access information and understand the procedures involved.

“The programmes are set, but what is the importance of setting them up if we do not know about them? Creating forums like this is very important for creatives to access information and know which offices to reach,” she said.

She urged creatives to make greater use of facilities such as the National Theatre and other creative spaces, saying improved access to infrastructure and support could help them develop their work, create employment and improve livelihoods.

The concerns come as the government increasingly recognises the culture and creative economy as an area with potential to generate employment and contribute to economic growth.

Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), covering financial years 2025/26 to 2029/30, identifies the culture and creative industry as a key area for employment and domestic resource mobilisation. The plan covers activities including visual and performing arts, literature, music, film, fashion, design and crafts.

The plan also identifies inadequate creative infrastructure as one of the constraints facing the sector and proposes measures to expand infrastructure for the production, promotion, distribution and marketing of creative products and services, including regional creative hubs.

Rachael Nabasirye, a senior research officer at the National Planning Authority, said the creative economy is among the areas prioritised under NDP IV because of its potential to create jobs for young people and generate revenue.

“The creative economy is one of those key sectors that was prioritised in the National Development Plan and the Fourth National Development Plan,” Nabasirye said.

She said the plan seeks to address challenges including limited infrastructure, access to capital, skills and training.

Nabasirye also said government plans include improvements to creative infrastructure, including the National Theatre, and the establishment of regional creative hubs in cities such as Mbarara, Lira and Gulu.

Beatrice Bukilwa, a basketry artist, said financial and marketing support would help her reach more customers and expand her business.

“We need financial and marketing help so that we can market our products,” Bukilwa said.

John Kachope, leader of Art and Crafts Saving Group, said limited capital was restricting artists’ ability to expand their businesses and train others.

“If government can help us access capital, we can train more Ugandans and create more employment,” Kachope said.

Justus Mujurizi, the youth officer for Kawempe Division at Kampala Capital City Authority, encouraged creatives to organise themselves into groups and register with Community Development Officers to access government programmes such as Emyooga.“Organise yourselves in groups and get registered with the CDO’s office so you can be supported to access funding,” Mujurizi said.

Emyooga is a government initiative aimed at wealth and job creation through specialised enterprise groups. The Microfinance Support Centre says Emyooga associations are registered through the Community Development Officer and can access seed capital through their respective Emyooga SACCOs.

The programme covers 18 specialised enterprise categories and is designed to support economically active Ugandans organised in groups around similar enterprises.

For creatives, participants at the forum said access to such programmes must be matched with clear information, practical guidance, affordable capital and markets if government support is to translate into sustainable businesses and employment.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis