news 27 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Govt Pushes Creative Sector for Wealth as Filmmakers Highlight Distribution Hurdles
Government leaders promote Uganda's creative industry as a vital engine for economic growth and wealth creation, spotlighting recent copyright reforms and its links to other sectors. Filmmakers counter that global platform inequalities and local market biases severely restrict earnings and sector expansion. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-touts-creative-industry-for-wealth-creation-5438680
Government officials are championing Uganda’s creative industry as a cornerstone for wealth generation and economic transformation. During the national premiere of the documentary Back to the Source: The Nile in Kampala on April 25, 2026, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, known as Salim Saleh and head of Operation Wealth Creation, emphasized its interconnectedness with other production areas after construction.
In a pre-recorded message, Saleh highlighted how storytelling, film, music, and drama can convert ideas into valuable products. He pointed to the new copyright law as a key step to boost incomes throughout the creative value chain, reflecting a policy shift viewing the sector as a source of jobs, foreign exchange, and investment.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Oryem Okello added that films promote Uganda’s image, potentially driving tourism revenue. He noted that if 300 viewers from 500 spend $3,000-$4,000 each in Uganda, it could generate substantial forex. Ambassador Judith Nsababera, the film’s executive producer, stressed storytelling’s role in diplomacy and national identity.
Yet, filmmakers like director Derrick Ssenyonyi argue that structural barriers persist. He revealed stark pay disparities on platforms like YouTube, where African creators earn $100 for 100,000 views versus $1,000 for Europeans. Access to Netflix is tough due to stringent standards and demands for creative control.
Locally, Ugandan films require payment for cinema slots, unlike promoted foreign ones, creating an uneven field. High internet costs, weak IP enforcement, and low consumer spending further hinder progress. Ssenyonyi announced a new local digital platform to host African content directly, bypassing global intermediaries.
Observers call for robust regulations, better copyright enforcement, and infrastructure investments to close the gap between policy goals and realities in the global digital economy.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)