For a long time, Uganda’s Arts and creative sector has been a non funded priority not until recently when the government through ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development as well as the Uganda National Cultural Centre that the sector got some funding.
Parliament’s committee on Gender rejected a request of 30 billion shillings by the Uganda National Cultural Centre to establish regional studios for artists. The Committee’s decision was based on complaints of mismanagement of funds disbursed to the Uganda National Cultural Centre in the past. The Chairperson of the committee Honourable Florence Kabahenda said that these funds have brought up a lot of contention among artists. She added that they chose to stay the budget for now until when a comprehensive plan on how they are going to establish regional studios is provided.
In addition, the committee also wants UNCC – Uganda National Cultural Centre to account for the 7.6 billion supplementary allocation that was meant for the E- concerts. The sector has structures whose various leaderships were not consulted in the request for the above funds. When contacted by this website on whether they were consulted in the request for the 30 billions , Daniel Kazibwe Ragga Dee, the Chairman of NCF – National Culture Forum, a body which houses over 50 association in the sector confirmed that as a body they were not consulted.
Cindy Sanyu, the former President of Musicians under UMA – Uganda Musicians Association also confirmed that she was not consulted.
“IAM CURRENTLY OUT OF OFFICE BUT WHILE THERE, I WAS’NT CONSULTED AS PRESIDENT, NOT EVEN AS UMA. I KEPT WAITING ON THE CONSULTATION TO VAIN yet at this point the sector has structures that should be involved in discussions like these” CINDY SAID
Another Arts leader, Charles Tyaba who is the General Secretary of Uganda Film Association also denied being consulted. “I was never consulted in regards to the 30 Billions, however that money should only come when its distribution plan is approved by all the stakeholders and administrative bodies in the sector” he said!
