The Executive Director of the National Planning Authority (NPA), Dr. Joseph Muvawala, has urged the Ugandan government to increase funding for the cultural and creative arts sector, highlighting its potential to drive growth in other economic areas.
Speaking at the 14th National Development Policy Forum (NDPF) held at the Serena Hotel in Kampala on April 15, 2025, Dr. Muvawala emphasized that greater financial support and access to capital through various ministries is essential to unlocking the full potential of Uganda’s creative industry by government.
“There is a need to gradually increase the budget for the cultural and creative industry to ensure that it aligns with the African Union’s 2021 recommendations that require member states to allocate at least 1% of their budget to the arts , culture, and heritage sector by 2030,” Muvawala stated.
This year’s policy forum was held under the theme “The Creative Industry as a Catalyst for Economic Growth: Harnessing Opportunities and Supporting Uganda’s Creative Talent.”
It brought together key stakeholders from government ministries, performing arts groups, academia, civil society, and international partners.
Organized by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in partnership with GIZ, the event served as a platform to share findings from a recent diagnostic study and gather public input for shaping policy direction for the sector.
Muvawala also asked the government to improve infrastructure and support the production, distribution, promotion, and preservation of creative goods and services. In particular, he proposed the redevelopment of the National Theater.
“In the medium term, we request that the National Theater be redeveloped to expand its current 377-seater capacity to at least 2,500 seats. It should be repurposed into a national multipurpose hub that supports all creative domains,” he stated.
Pamela Mbabazi, chairperson of the National Planning Authority, noted that the creative arts industry, which falls under Uganda’s service industry, mostly employs a significant number of youth and women. These include individuals working in film, music, fashion, visual arts, interior design, culinary arts, and more.
“The creative arts industry is a major source of employment, particularly for youth and women. If adequately supported and empowered by government, it has the power to transform lives, reduce unemployment, and stimulate inclusive economic growth,” Mbabazi said.
She added that the diagnostic survey presented by NPA covered 15 sub-regions and involved consultations with creative artists, policymakers, academics, and implementers. The goal of the forum today is to incorporate wider stakeholder feedback into a comprehensive strategy for supporting Uganda’s creative economy.
The forum ended with a call for stronger public-private partnerships, capacity-building programs, and clearer legal frameworks to support innovation, copyright protection, and international market access for Ugandan creative products.
As Uganda looks to diversify its economy, leaders at the forum agreed that the creative sector holds untapped potential that, if harnessed, could significantly contribute to GDP and social transformation.
