Kampala — CULTURAL and creative industries in the country are to be mapped, according to the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO.

The commission has already launched a study to map all the cultural and creative industries and sites. The exercise shall be conducted by Trade and Business Development Centre (TBDC) in all parts of the country.

According to Daniel Kawesi, the programme officer for culture at the commission, the research shall gather socio-economic data that will help in policy formulation and development of creative industries.

"Data will be collected on different segments of cultural/creative industries like handicrafts, visual arts, performing arts, radio and TV broadcast, the museum and heritage sites, publishing, design and fashion."

"I believe that by the end of October, we shall be having a report on this industry. All along we wanted to develop this industry but realized that no data was in place to back our support," Kawesi said during a workshop for stakeholders held at the National theatre on Thursday.

Kawesi said creative industries understandably contribute to the economy in terms of revenue generation, employment creation, poverty reduction, and exports revenue, social and sustainable development.

He said that the research shall also figure out problems the industry faces at the same time work as a tool to convince government to support the industry. He added the industry has been ignored for so long.

"In other countries like Europe, there is data on culture goods and services.

That is why creative industry is far better. Our research will not only improve the quality of crafts produced but also will help them compete on the international market,"Kawesi added

The creative industries are those based on individual creativity, skill and talent.

They also have the potential to create wealth and jobs through developing and exploiting intellectual property.

"We aim to increase the productivity of the creative industries, raise their profile, and support their development so that the Uganda can become the world's creative hub," Kawesi added.

The proposed Mapping exercise will be conducted in 4 regions of Uganda which have been classified as Clusters. These clusters are; the Northern Cluster, Eastern Cluster, Western Cluster and Central Cluster.

These clusters will form a central consultation site for different regional districts. At least each cluster has between 10- 15 districts.