Young female performing artists during a weekly jam session where musicians come to show case their talents. Photos by Arnest Tumwesige
By Arnest Tumwesige
Gulu: For many years, creatives in Uganda have operated in isolation, with only a few forming loose coalitions. Despite being under the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, the lack of cohesion has hindered their functionality and contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Independent Magazine publication of October 17, 2019 revealed that after Uganda Bureau of Statistics re-based the economy, the entertainment industry grew by 30 percent in 2016/17 standing at UGX 141.5 billion.
Collectively, the services sector, where entertainment belongs, contributed UGX 47.1 trillion to Uganda’s economy which would have been higher with uniform support.
Although the government has provided financial support to the “creative industry,” funding has largely concentrated in a small section of the country, primarily benefiting musicians, while other sub-regions have received minimal support.
However, since 2021, efforts have been made to solicit financial assistance to help creatives recover from the economic shocks of COVID-19.
As many creatives sought bailout support through Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), it became evident that the government recognizes the creative sector under nine domains: music, performing arts (comedy, drama, film, and video), visual arts, fashion design, books and publishing, software and innovation, culture and national heritage, support services (such as talent managers, promoters, and event managers), and collecting services.
OWC, led by Chief Coordinator Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), was established in 2013 through a statutory instrument to facilitate national socio-economic transformation by raising household incomes. Since 2021,
OWC has mobilized resources for creatives, with Gen. Saleh advocating for government support. To date, approximately UGX 60 billion has been disbursed to the industry but will less trickling to regions.
Regional Strategic Development
While OWC operates nationally with headquarters in the central region, its programs are tailored to regional needs. In 2021, when Gen. Saleh relocated operations to Northern Uganda, Sylvia Damalie Owori, OWC’s Director of Operations, initiated a strategy to support an industry long “deprived” of government funding.
As a result, the West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja (WALK) Creatives Arts Foundation was established in September 2023. Based in Gulu City at Murphy’s Lounge, opposite Independent Hospital, Owori told GNNA that once operations are streamlined, the model will be replicated in other regions in the country.
Owori emphasized that Northern Uganda is culturally rich, particularly the Acholi sub-region, which boasts over 23 traditional dances, 2,000 tailors, and more than 18 local dishes surpassing Kampala’s creative focus, which is predominantly on music.
Drafting a UGX 49 Billion Proposal
Since WALK’s inception, a task force representing the four sub-regions was formed through a general meeting. This was later streamlined into a five-member interim executive responsible for drafting a proposal, budget, constitution, and establishing a bank account and a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), all under Owori’s guidance and with support from Gen. Saleh.
A UGX 49 billion proposal was developed with input from all four sub-regions and submitted to the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Gender for funding consideration. Owori, who is one of the principal signatory to the WALK Foundation bank account, pledged full accountability for any released funds.
“So, I’m committing myself. I saw everyone saying, ‘She’s a signatory.’ That is like putting yourself on the cross and saying, ‘I believe in this project. I can be a signatory to this, and I expect to do this because I’m going to be transparent,’” she told GNNA.
Currently, WALK has secured a space that hosts live band performances, comedy nights, and will soon launch a fashion night on March 7. Owori, leveraging 25 years of experience in the creative industry, is confident that unity between the private sector and government will yield significant progress.
However, she cautioned against internal saboteurs attempting to derail WALK by undermining the interim executive committee. She recounted similar opposition when she launched fashion shows, which have since enabled young Ugandans to earn between $50,000 to $100,000 per show in the United States.
With the committee now focused on securing full government funding, plans are underway to conduct sub-regional mobilization and establish a comprehensive database a process expected to cost UGX 2.1 billion. This will inform the government’s future funding decisions.
Inside the Multibillion Proposal
The proposal presented to the government aims to: create economic empowerment opportunities, develop infrastructure, enhance market access and national/international promotion, establish a SACO fund, build capacity through training, generate sustainable employment and entrepreneurship within the creative industry.
Already, the SACCO has been registered, with the Uganda National Cultural Forum contributing UGX 10 million and an additional UGX 2 million donated by Acholi Paramount Chief David Onen Acana at the launch.
The proposal also includes provisions for acquiring state-of-the-art production equipment, transportation (a van to ease mobility), and agricultural investments, such as coffee growing, with members applying for seedlings.
First AGM to Determine Office Bearers
With a target of registering over 100,000 creatives, interim chairperson Solomon Aboda stated that the interim executive will be replaced during the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will also revise the executive committee structure and signatory list, as only Owori and Aboda currently hold signatory powers.
Simon Oyoo Nyigling, an interim executive member, emphasized the importance of collaborating with the government for the development of creatives in the four sub-regions. He highlighted plans to construct four regional creative centers in Gulu, Lira, West Nile, and Karamoja.
Discontent in the Creative Fraternity
While many WALK members support the initiative, some have raised concerns about administrative flaws that need urgent attention before the government releases full funding.
Several interim executive members have already resigned, including Odong Romeo, Sunday Olyel (Freeman Sunday), and most recently, Paul Mutanga.
Odong Romeo Wilbert, a gospel artist, praised the proposal but argued that the current leadership should be replaced through an AGM, as it represents only a fraction of the creative domains. He stressed the need for comprehensive awareness and registration to ensure voting rights for all creatives.
Additionally, he claimed that having only two signatories on the bank account poses a financial risk, as funds could be withdrawn without wider oversight.
Freeman Sunday echoed similar concerns, stating, “We need transparency in the whole process, and elections must be held. We chose to leave because we realized it might turn into the same situation where huge sums are released, but beneficiaries only get peanuts.”
