Uganda Seeks World Bank Funding to Train Artistes

8 November 2023
Nile Post (Kampala)
By Faith Atwiine

The Ugandan government plans to seek funding from the World Bank to train and equip its artistes with technical skills to meet international standards, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture Affairs, Peace Mutuuzo has revealed.

Hon. Peace Mutuuzo says government has concluded plans to skill the creative artistes under the MasterCard Foundation supported by the World Bank through the Growth Opportunities And Productivity For Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.

"Most artistes are self-made. There is an abundance of talent but limited technical skills. Workforce training is a key need for the sector. Some work has already started to bridge the skills gap among creatives," Mutunzo told Parliament.

She said the government also intends to establish a fund to support the creative industry, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As a government, we are planning to create a fund ring-fenced to support the creative artistes considering the unique nature of their business. We also intend to mobilize and attract financial products and partners to support the financing of the creative industry in Uganda," she said.

The creative industry in Uganda includes music, film, fashion, visual arts, crafts, and performing arts. According to the Uganda National Cultural Center, the sector contributes about UGX 7.5 Billion to Uganda's gross domestic product and employs over 150,000 people.

Government has in the past implemented a three-year project funded by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) to develop the handicrafts and souvenir sector in Uganda, which targets some of the most marginalized communities.

The project aimed to create linkages between the producers, associations, and traders of handcrafted products and the tourism industry, and to support product development, diversification, increased production, and quality enhancement.

Mutuuzo says government is committed to promoting and protecting the cultural and artistic heritage of Uganda and enhancing its contribution to the social and economic development of the country.

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