By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Director of Operations at Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Sylvia Owori, has urged artists and other players in Uganda’s creative industry to form or join registered savings and credit cooperative organisations (SACCOs) to benefit from government support programmes.
Owori made the call on Wednesday at the launch of the Uganda One Festival at Kololo Independence Grounds. The festival is a national celebration of Uganda’s creative and cultural economy.
She said government support to the sector is increasingly being channelled through organised groups, warning that individuals not affiliated to recognised associations with functional SACCOs risk missing out.
“Over the last four years, government has mobilised musicians and performing artists as a way of commercialising the industry and integrating stakeholders into the money economy,” Owori said, adding that Shs400 billion has so far been injected into the creative sector.
Owori, who also chairs the National Organising Committee for the festival, said the event goes beyond entertainment and is intended to spur economic growth.
“This festival is not just a celebration of talent; it is an economic engine. We are unlocking the full potential of Uganda’s creative economy,” she said. “It’s time to organize, monetize, and protect what we create.”
The Uganda One Festival, slated for January 8–9, 2026, is expected to bring together thousands of creatives, performers, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders to showcase Uganda’s creative and cultural wealth.
According to organisers, the festival will cover nine creative domains, including music, film and video, performing arts, books and publishing, visual arts, culture and heritage, digital media, innovation and software, as well as support services. Activities will include exhibitions, business networking, cultural showcases and policy dialogue.
The launch also doubled as a platform to promote a national copyright awareness campaign, which organisers say is key to the anticipated operationalisation of Uganda’s new copyright law.
Denis Nabende, the acting principal senior public relations and corporate affairs officer, said the law will grant creators exclusive rights over their works and enable them to earn financial rewards from their innovations.
“Copyright exists to encourage creativity and innovation by granting creators exclusive rights over their original works,” Nabende said, urging artists to register their works.
The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in collaboration with the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), SBL Media and other creative industry stakeholders.
In a statement, Gender minister Betty Amongi Akena said the creative industry has become central to Uganda’s job creation and national identity and is now reflected across government policy frameworks.
“The Creative Industry is no longer peripheral, it’s central to Uganda’s job creation and identity. This is why it is captured in all government policy frameworks at the moment including,” Minister Betty Amongi Akena said.
