Sylvia Owori, the newly appointed Director of Creatives and Membership-Based Organisations, has unveiled plans to register and reorganise creatives across the country in a bid to unlock more economic opportunities for practitioners.
Owori says the registration exercise will be conducted regionally to distinguish different categories of creatives, including established artists, upcoming musicians, producers, designers, writers and others.
Owori, who previously served as Director of Operations at Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), made the remarks while addressing the press in Gulu City Friday, just days after assuming her new responsibilities following structural changes at OWC.
She explained that regional hubs will subsequently be established to provide spaces where creatives can meet, collaborate, develop their talents and showcase their products.Owori cited Gulu as one of the areas where efforts are already underway to establish a cultural centre that will serve as a hub for creatives in the region.
She said the government’s recognition of the creative sector gives practitioners an opportunity to demonstrate their contribution to the national economy by organising and working collectively.
Owori said the creative industry currently contributes about 3% to Uganda’s GDP, optimistically sayong its contribution could increase significantly if the sector is properly organised and supported.
In a move to boost the creatives industry, the government in this 2026/27 Financial Year allocated a total of 33 billion shillings as a revolving fund for the industry that is already rapidly. The fund is managed through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Additional resources of up to 1.1 trillion shillings have been allocated under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Owori pledged to serve creatives regardless of their political affiliation but emphaised unity, saying it is critical to transforming the sector into a major source of employment, particularly for youth.
In Northern Uganda, creatives from West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja Sub-region under the umbrella body WALK creative arts that brings together musicians and creatives, have already benefited from a one billion shillings revolving fund from the governments allocated through the Gender Ministry in December last year.
The revolving fund kick started a Saving and Credit Corporative Organisation (SACCO), agricultural projects and talent promotion in Northern Uganda’, creatives and arts members estimated at 5,000-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
