Kampala, Uganda – November 12, 2024: Today, the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development hosts the official launch of the Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) 2024/25 program in Uganda and the unveiling of the CfCA baseline study report. Representatives from SELAM, Pearlwood, the National Working Group (NWG), and other key stakeholders are gathered to present this pivotal report, which had been formally handed over to the Ministry on November 11th 2024. The report provides an in-depth analysis of Uganda’s cultural and creative industries (CCI) and offers strategic recommendations to foster sustainable sector growth. With appreciation, the Ministry has committed to archiving this valuable resource at the National Library to ensure it is accessible for all stakeholders, aiding future planning and development within the industry.
Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) is an advocacy and capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening the cultural and creative industries (CCI) across Africa. With support from the African Union (AU) and SELAM, CfCA works to enhance public investment and policy backing for sustainable cultural development, aligned with the AU’s commitment by the member states to dedicate at least 1% of national budgets to the CCI. The initiative strives to amplify the role of the creative sector in driving social and economic growth, especially through increased public funding and strategic support.
Developed in collaboration with Ugandan stakeholders and policy influencers, the CfCA baseline study report offers a comprehensive assessment of the current state of public funding for the CCI in Uganda. The report identifies key challenges, opportunities, and stakeholders across the sector and provides actionable recommendations to guide future investments, strengthen policy frameworks, and foster public-private collaboration. Serving as a foundational document, the report aims to inform strategic initiatives that unlock the full potential of Uganda’s cultural sector.
Supported by the African Union (AU) and SELAM, the CfCA program in Uganda has secured more funding worth UGX 181,999,900 to implement several key initiatives. Among these, Pearlwood has allocated UGX 57,600,000 to support the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Creative Industries (UGAPAFOCI) in reviewing and updating the National Culture Policy. These funds will be disbursed in phases to ensure that each project milestone reflects strong accountability, measurable impact, and effective service delivery. This approach underscores a commitment to evidence-based progress within Uganda’s cultural and creative industries, aligning with CfCA’s principles of transparency and responsibility in resource utilization.
Additionally, the program will establish the CfCA Podcast at the National Theatre, a platform designed to amplify artists’ voices and unify the sector. This free facility, available to all registered members of the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), will provide an open forum for stakeholders to discuss industry challenges and advocate for increased public funding for the cultural and creative industries (CCI), fostering an inclusive space for dialogue and collaboration.
CfCA invites all stakeholders in Uganda’s cultural and creative industries to fully engage with the CfCA program, especially through the CfCA Podcast, a unifying platform for open dialogue and problem-solving. This collaboration offers an opportunity to strengthen sector cohesion and collectively advocate for a vibrant, well-funded creative industry. CfCA expresses sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, and to all stakeholders who contributed to the development of the baseline study report, which serves as a cornerstone for the sector’s sustainable advancement.
