Uganda tossed cash at its artists, promising change, but everyone's side-eyeing the deal. Minister Peace Mutuuzo just laid out an update on that 28 billion shilling creative fund launched a few months back, aiming to fix the sector's endless money problems.
The fund splits cash between musicians, copyright stuff, and nine other creative fields. Loans go for a low five percent interest, targeting folks usually ignored by banks.
Musicians get cash through their federation's SACCOs. Other creators use verified co-ops for film, fashion, comedy, and more.
Over fifteen SACCOs are already signed up, from filmmaker groups to a northern arts foundation. The minister claims 9.5 billion has moved already to partners and collecting societies.
A separate 2 billion went to a State House tech team building a copyright system. Another billion funds a big culture festival, likely around March 2026, to launch the whole program.
They say they will accept intellectual property as collateral, but artists keep their rights. Strict rules are supposedly in place to stop misuse or political meddling.
The big catch is mandatory training on finance and business. The goal is to create jobs and grow the sector's economic slice, if the money actually reaches people.
The real test is whether this becomes a revolving fund or just another ghost project. The creative community's response will tell the tale in the coming months.
The fund splits cash between musicians, copyright stuff, and nine other creative fields. Loans go for a low five percent interest, targeting folks usually ignored by banks.
Musicians get cash through their federation's SACCOs. Other creators use verified co-ops for film, fashion, comedy, and more.
Over fifteen SACCOs are already signed up, from filmmaker groups to a northern arts foundation. The minister claims 9.5 billion has moved already to partners and collecting societies.
A separate 2 billion went to a State House tech team building a copyright system. Another billion funds a big culture festival, likely around March 2026, to launch the whole program.
They say they will accept intellectual property as collateral, but artists keep their rights. Strict rules are supposedly in place to stop misuse or political meddling.
The big catch is mandatory training on finance and business. The goal is to create jobs and grow the sector's economic slice, if the money actually reaches people.
The real test is whether this becomes a revolving fund or just another ghost project. The creative community's response will tell the tale in the coming months.
