MPs call for formation of arts council

KAMPALA - Members of Parliament (MPs) under the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Creative Industries (UGAPAFOCI) have proposed the establishment of an arts council to oversee Uganda's culture and entertainment industry.

During a meeting held at the gender ministry on Monday, June 23, 2025, to review the draft National Culture Policy, UGAPAFOCI chairperson Rachel Magoola said creating an arts council is a crucial first step for the industry.

"In our discussions today, one clear issue that has persisted in the industry is the lack of a legal framework to manage the creatives sector," she said.

During the meeting, gender minister PeaceMutuuzo said the Government is exploring ways to integrate culture into modern practices. (All Photos by Miriam Najjingo)

"The minister [gender], Peace Mutuuzo, pointed out that we need an arts council to handle the affairs of the creatives economy. We also recognise that in the future, we may need a full ministry dedicated to this purpose."

The Ugandan National Culture Policy, first introduced in 2006, aims to acknowledge and promote the country's diverse cultural heritage as a key driver of development.

It highlights the importance of culture in Uganda's social and economic systems, stressing the need to preserve and enhance cultural expressions, such as traditions, languages and artistic practices.

The policy identifies various institutions responsible for promoting culture, including traditional and cultural institutions, families, statutory bodies, civil society organisations and the private sector.

Chairperson Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Creative Industries, Rachel Magoola remarks during a review meeting at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on Monday June 23, 2025.

Magoola, a prominent Ugandan singer, songwriter, dancer and politician, has been active in the music industry for three decades and is a member of Afrigo Band. She was elected as the women's representative for Bugweri District in the 2021 general election, representing the National Resistance Movement.

During the meeting, gender minister PeaceMutuuzo said the Government is exploring ways to integrate culture into modern practices.

"This meeting was part of the review process for the cultural policy," she said. "We are also examining the new era of digitalisation and how culture can leverage this for economic growth. Other countries, such as Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, have successfully done this, and Uganda cannot afford to fall behind."

Mutuuzo noted that culture has traditionally been seen as a way of life, not a business. However, the Government is now recognising the creative industry as an emerging sector that can generate significant revenue and resources.

Public Relations Officer Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Creative Industries, Sarah Namulondo speaking during a review meeting.

"With this new development and the acknowledgement of the creative industry as a distinct sector through the National Development Plan IV (NDPIV), the Government has allocated resources aimed at creating value and a multiplier effect from this investment," she stated.

UGAPAFOCI has submitted an exit project report to the gender ministry, titled "Technical Support to Review the Draft National Culture Policy."

This initiative was backed by technical support from the ICR Facility and SELAM through Pearlwood. The report was dated May 21, 2025.

With the assistance of the ICR Facility and co-funding from SELAM, Pearlwood, and AFREXIM Bank, UGAPAFOCI successfully reviewed and improved the draft policy.

Executive Director Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Creative Industries, James Wasula speaking during a review meeting at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development offices on Monday.

The aim was to create a robust, forward-looking National Cultural Policy to position Uganda's cultural and creative industries (CCIs) at the heart of national development while addressing emerging challenges in culture, governance, technology, and heritage conservation.

The revised policy was officially handed over to the Ministry of Gender for adoption and implementation. Notably, the terminology was updated from Culture Policy to Cultural Policy to reflect a broader scope in the country’s strategy.

Some key objectives of the project include reviewing and strengthening the existing Draft National Culture Policy, addressing policy gaps concerning the conservation and promotion of Uganda’s cultural heritage, incorporating emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation into cultural regulations, and enhancing provisions related to creative tourism and cultural diplomacy.

Chairperson Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Creative Industries, Rachel Magoola hands over the Project Exit Report to the State Minister for Gender and Culture, Peace Mutuuzo, during a review meeting at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development offices in Kampala on Monday June 23, 2025.

The initiative also seeks to propose institutional alignment to reduce the fragmentation of culture-related responsibilities across multiple ministries, departments, and agencies.

There will be inclusive stakeholder consultations to ensure national support, ownership, and relevance of the policy.

James Wasula, the executive director of UGAPAFOCI and also a director of Afrigo Band, expressed optimism about the future of the sector if the policy is implemented effectively.

This policy addresses essential issues, including the implications of artificial intelligence, which many discuss but often do not fully understand," he noted.