By Hussein Kiganda
On Friday, June 3, there was shock when filmmakers protested during the ninth Uganda Film Festival Awards Gala, demanding that the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) improves their pay and welfare.
The awards, organised by UCC, under the theme Creative Sector As A Solution To Unemployment, took place at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Nakawa, Kampala.
The film fraternity, led by Patrick Nkakalukanyi, who had won the Best Actor in Feature Film Award, for his leading role in Tembele, asked the Government to put up mechanisms to professionalise the industry.
“We are grateful for this opportunity, but we need more. We need a more professional industry, where filmmakers are paid well, can access the services of the Uganda National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and can be insured,” he said as other filmmakers cheered him on.
A number of the guests stormed the stage, shouting their voices hoarse, “We want more! We need more! More and more!”
Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for Information Communication, Technology and National Guidance, promised to coordinate support from the Government to the industry.
“We shall support the industry and put up mechanisms to foster its growth,” he promised.
