Uganda’s recently approved budget for the 2024/25 financial year raises the question: why is culture still being treated as an afterthought? While the government has unveiled ambitious plans to boost sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and digital transformation, the arts and creative industries have once again been sidelined. This glaring oversight calls into question Uganda’s commitment to fostering a holistic and inclusive economy.
Charles Batambuze, a prominent figure in Uganda’s cultural scene, captured the sentiment during a recent parliamentary meeting: “Culture isn’t just about preserving our heritage; it’s about creating jobs, driving innovation, and showcasing Uganda’s identity to the world” (Facebook, October 2024). His words carry weight, especially when examining the numbers.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development received UGX 146.3 billion (approximately USD 39 million) for FY 2024/25, as per the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). This marks a decrease from the UGX 180.824 billion (approximately USD 48.2 million) allocated in FY 2023/24, according to the recent CfCA report on the status of public funding in Uganda. Within this budget, the Department of Culture and Family Affairs saw a modest increase, rising from UGX 7.453 billion (about USD 2 million) in FY 2023/24 to UGX 9.069 billion (about USD 2.4 million) in FY 2024/25. However, much of this funding is directed toward administrative expenses, particularly for cultural institutions like kingdoms, rather than directly supporting the creative industries. This highlights the urgent need for more equitable budget allocations that recognize the sector’s economic and cultural contributions.
The arts and culture sector is far more than music, dance, and crafts: it is an economic powerhouse with immense untapped potential. At the 2022 Uganda Arts and Cultural Crafts Expo, one representative stated, “The arts and crafts sector could be a major driver of economic development if it received the support it deserves. We need policies that empower our creatives” (National Arts and Cultural Crafts Association of Uganda, Facebook, December 2022). Yet, the current budget allocates a mere 0.016% of the Ministry’s total funds to culture. For a sector that employs over 386,000 people, the majority being the youth, this isn’t just disappointing; it’s a step backward.
The government’s budget theme for FY 2024/25 is Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialisation, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation, and Market Access, with the focus areas including digital transformation, industrialization, and market access. But where does culture fit into this vision?
The total budget for FY 2024/25 stands at UGX 72.1 trillion (approximately USD 19.2 billion), with UGX 37.56 trillion (about USD 10 billion) allocated for discretionary spending. Key sectors like education, health, and infrastructure have taken center stage. Education received UGX 2.497 trillion (roughly USD 665 million), with plans to build 60 new secondary schools and expand vocational training. Health was allocated UGX 2.946 trillion (about USD 785 million), focusing on improving medical facilities and disease prevention. Transport and infrastructure received UGX 4.989 trillion (approximately USD 1.33 billion), aimed at maintaining roads and advancing railway projects. While these investments are undeniably important, they highlight a glaring imbalance.
The potential of Uganda’s creative industries is undeniable. Cultural tourism, film, and music production have already proven their ability to generate revenue and create jobs. Yet, the current budget tells a different story. Aside from employment, the arts and culture sector also includes over 250,000 creative enterprises and small businesses, craftspeople, musicians, performers, who rely on this sector for their livelihoods. By underfunding it, the government isn’t just stifling creativity; it’s limiting economic opportunities for thousands of its citizens.
As a member of the African Union, Uganda has committed to allocating 1% of its national budget to arts, culture, and heritage by 2030. This isn’t just a symbolic target; it’s a recognition of the sector’s role in driving sustainable development and preserving cultural identity. Additionally, Uganda is a signatory to the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which emphasizes the importance of supporting cultural industries through sustainable funding, equitable resource access, and market integration.
The ongoing review of Uganda’s National Culture Policy presents an opportunity to turn things around. This policy could address critical gaps like limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and fragmented responsibilities across ministries. But to truly make a difference, more than policy tweaks are needed. Uganda needs a cultural revolution.
The arts and culture sector contributes approximately $576 million to Uganda’s GDP annually, equivalent to 3% of the total GDP, as per the CfCA Report and the Quadrennial Periodic Report. However, the budget allocation remains far below this contribution. In FY 2024/25, the sector received just UGX 9.069 billion (approximately $2.4 million), which represents only 0.016% of the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development’s total budget. This stark underfunding does not reflect the sector’s economic significance.
If Uganda were to align its cultural funding with 3% of the national discretionary budget, approximately $300 million (UGX 1.126 trillion) would be allocated to the sector. This figure would bring cultural investment closer to its demonstrated economic impact and ensure the sector has resources to drive job creation, innovation, and export growth. While the leap from $2.4 million to $300 million is substantial, it underscores the gap between the sector’s economic value and the resources allocated to support it.
Uganda’s cultural and creative industries stand at the intersection of the government’s broader development goals. The synergies between culture and focus areas: digital transformation, industrialization, and market access are immense. Digital transformation could enhance global competitiveness through e-commerce, streaming platforms, and virtual exhibitions. Market access initiatives could amplify the global reach of Uganda’s cultural products, turning crafts, music, and films into export powerhouses. However, despite these opportunities, the underfunding of culture stifles innovation and restricts the sector’s potential to contribute meaningfully to national development.
To bridge the gap between rhetoric and action, Uganda could take several practical steps. First, establishing a dedicated Ministry of Culture would centralize efforts, streamline funding, and ensure that cultural priorities are integrated into national development plans. This would also help align Uganda’s actions with its commitments under the AU and UNESCO frameworks. Second, creating a Cultural Development Fund could provide grants, low-interest loans, and capacity-building programs for artists and creative enterprises, empowering them to scale their businesses, access new markets, and innovate. Third, leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) could unlock new funding streams for the arts. Fourth, promoting cultural tourism could boost revenue while showcasing Uganda’s unique identity. Investing in cultural festivals, heritage sites, and creative hubs would attract tourists and highlight the country’s rich cultural heritage. Finally, adopting the AU’s 1% budget target would demonstrate Uganda’s commitment to sustainable development and cultural preservation, ensuring that the arts and culture sector receives the support it deserves.
The choices made today will shape the cultural and economic trajectory of Uganda for years to come. It’s time to give culture the priority it deserves, not just for the sake of art, but for the sake of the economy, the youth, and the identity of the Pearl of Africa. By investing in its creative industries, Uganda can unlock a future where culture is not just preserved but thrives as a cornerstone of national development.