The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon. Betty Amongi has pledged better support to the new UNCC Board for it to deliver on its mandate. This she said yesterday at the inauguration and swearing in of the new Board of Trustees of the Uganda National Cultural Centre. “The Board comes in at a time when the Government has placed the music and creative industries as number four on the national budget priorities for the next Financial Year 2024/2025”, she said. The Board will therefore be expected to elevate the creative industries to a higher level to contribute to the country’s development.
The swearing in and inauguration event which took place at the Ministry’s boardroom, saw musicians Phina Mugerwa alias Masanyalaze swear in as Vice Chairperson of the Board; Lillian Mbabazi; and Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool take the oath of allegiance to UNCC and the constitution of Uganda as Board members. However, singer Joseph Mayanja alias Dr. Jose Chameleon did not turn up to take the oath as he was reported to be emotionally down following the death of his brother Humphrey Mayanja this week.
The Board also includes Hannington Bugingo of the Mizigo Express and Comedicine fame; Dr. Richard Komakech representing cultural heritage; and Juliana Naumo the current Commissioner for Culture and Family Affairs at the Ministry as Board members.
Professor Okaka Opio Dokotum an academic of Literature and Film and Deputy Vice Chancellor at Lira University took oath as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of UNCC.
The Executive Director of UNCC Mr Francis Peter Ojede while welcoming the new Board, thanked the Minister and her Cabinet colleagues for appointing these specific individuals to the Board. He highlighted the issues that the new Board will handle including financing of the UNCC; expanding the reach of the organisation’s activities countrywide; promoting the unity of artists by strengthening their reorganization; engaging more stakeholders to support the work of UNCC; and reviewing the UNCC strategic plan.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development as represented by Mr. James Ebitu, on his part called upon the new Board to work in close consultation with their supervisor, warning them to observe established policies and laws during the execution of their duties.
The new Chairman of the Board of Trustees of UNCC, Professor Okaka Opio Dokotum noted in his inaugural speech that although the members of the Board had not worked together before, theirs was an arranged marriage where they should find the love to work together as they get along. He noted each of the Board members were bringing their unique experiences and know-how that should elevate the UNCC. He underscored his resolve to expand the scope of the UNCC from the current three domains ie performing arts, music, visual art & crafts to cover the entire 9 domains of the culture and creative industries. To this end, the Board will spearhead the amendment of UNCC Act to also grant the organization regulatory powers to be able to deliver its mandate.
In her closing remarks, Minister Betty Amongi said she would be looking out for results and hoped the new Board would push the creative industry to create more jobs for the youths. She gave her first assignment to the Board to deliver to her a paper within a month’s time detailing a plan and budget to renovate the National Theatre Building.
