Uganda’s creative sector has, for many years, demonstrated immense potential as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural diplomacy.
The music, film, fashion, visual arts, crafts, digital content, publishing, and performing arts subsectors have not only shaped national identity but also created livelihoods for millions of Ugandans, particularly young people and women.
Despite this potential, the sector has historically faced structural challenges, chief among them limited access to affordable and patient financing. Most creatives operate within the informal economy, lack collateral, and are often excluded from traditional financial services. As a result, talent remains undercapitalised, businesses stagnate, and Uganda continues to export raw creativity rather than high-value creative products.
Peace Regis Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture Affairs said it is against this backdrop that government allocated Shs 28 billion in the Financial Year 2025/2026 national budget to accelerate the development of a sustainable financing mechanism aimed at supporting the growth of Uganda’s creative and cultural industries. The fund is tailored to address the unique needs of the country’s creative economy.
She said Shs 5 billion has been earmarked for Musician SACCOs under the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), while another Shs 5 billion is allocated to strengthening copyright management. The latter will cater for the procurement of a Copyright Management System and support Collecting Management Organisations (CMOs).
At least Shs 18 billion has been set aside for SACCOs serving the other nine creative domains, including performing arts, film and video, visual arts and crafts, fashion and design, books and press, interactive media, software and digital innovation, cultural and natural heritage, and culinary arts.
The fund is intended to enhance access to affordable capital by providing tailored, accessible, and affordable financial services to creative entrepreneurs and associations.
“The fund is also aimed at promoting formalisation by encouraging the transition of informal creative businesses into registered entities, thereby increasing their visibility, credibility, and capacity to access future financing,” the Minister said.
She added that the Creative Uganda Revolving Fund has been designed as a revolving financing facility. Funds disbursed to beneficiaries through artist domain-based SACCOs are expected to be repaid under agreed terms, enabling the same resources to be reused to support additional creatives over time.
