By Hussein Kiganda
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), launched two significant projects on May 31, 2023, at the ministry’s headquarters in Kampala.
These projects, namely the UNESCO-Aschberg Project and the Open Digital Roadmap, share the common goal of enhancing the conditions and welfare of artistes in Uganda.
Implemented within the framework of UNESCO’s cultural and creative industries mandate, as outlined in the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, these initiatives aim to elevate the status of artistes in the country.
During the launch, Juliana Naomo Akoryo, the commissioner for culture and family affairs at the ministry, emphasised that these projects will empower stakeholders, particularly those in the film industry, by leveraging digital platforms to document and preserve cultural heritage.
Furthermore, they seek to foster dialogue and collaboration among ministries, departments, and agencies, enabling them to integrate plans aligned with the new culture law, a process initiated last year.
In addition to these advancements, the projects will establish a dedicated fund supporting both government institutions and artists. They will also raise awareness among government bodies and stakeholders about the challenges faced by artists through regional and national consultations. The insights gained from these consultations will inform the development of government agency strategies, which will contribute to shaping the legal framework of the sector.
The projects that kicked off in February 2023, are scheduled to run for 12 months. Throughout their duration, workshops, trainings, and consultations will be conducted to strengthen the audio-visual industry. UNESCO’s Paris and Nairobi chapters will provide support for these activities.
It is worth noting that Uganda is among the 12 countries selected to participate in this programme. Each country will receive a share of the $1.5 million allocated to finance the projects in their respective nations.
Several dignitaries and experts attended the launch ceremony, including Bakaye Lubega, the assistant commissioner for culture at the ministry, UNESCO delegates Judy Ogana and Rosie Agoi, as well as national consultants and individuals from the art and culture industry such as Polly Kamukama and Amos Tindyebwa, renowned film professionals.
The choice to prioritise film within the arts and culture industry has always been a subject of inquiry.
In an interview with The Kampala Sun, Akoryo explained that the ministry cannot simultaneously address all sectors due to financial and time constraints. Instead, they focus on domains with ongoing projects, with plans to expand support to other areas in the future.
“The ministry has been actively collaborating with industry stakeholders to strengthen the film sector, including efforts to enhance tax incentives and promote professionalism. The current projects aim to continue this work by empowering filmmakers to utilise digital platforms for national and international marketing. Identifying digital gaps within the film industry is also a priority,” Akoryo said.
“We cannot do all the domains at once because of the financing and the time, but to finalise what has already been running, so we want to have the film industry moving so that we can have another domain,” she added.
To facilitate the distribution of films, the ministry is in the final stages of securing an agreement with Airtel Uganda for a digital distribution platform. This platform will serve as a channel where filmmakers can promote and sell their products.
Additionally, NITA-U has already developed a digital registration platform, which categorises stakeholders by domain, category, and genre. This platform addresses the challenge of gathering data and statistics within the culture sector.
Another noteworthy digital initiative is the implementation of a comprehensive culture management information system throughout the entire country, covering all domains within the sector. This system will provide reliable and consistent information, starting from the sub-county level.
The projects aim to have a direct impact on 100,000 stakeholders and indirectly benefit 500,000 stakeholders in total.
