On behalf of the Executive Authority (Board), Management and Staff of the National Planning Authority (NPA), and on my own behalf, I would like to warmly welcome you all to the 14th National Development Policy Forum, and I take this opportunity to thank you for honoring the invitation.
The National Development Policy Forum (NDPF) is an initiative of NPA to provide a platform that enables the public to understand, debate, and appreciate the challenges that stand in the way of achieving the Uganda Vision 204,0 to jointly participate in overcoming them.
This particular Forum (the 14th NDPF) is on the theme: “Creative Industries as Catalysts for Economic Growth: Harnessing Opportunities and Supporting Uganda’s Creative Talent”.
I wish to also express our heartfelt gratitude to the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) Uganda for accepting to partner with us on this particular Forum. Your unwavering support has enabled NPA to deliver on its mandate by studying and publishing independent assessments of key economic and social policy issues, so as to increase public understanding and participation in the economic and social policy debate.
Distinguished guests, the National Planning Authority (NPA) is cognizant of the significance of the creative industries to the economy through job creation and income generation. With a rich and diverse cultural heritage, a rising middle class, and a youthful population, which are key drivers of demand for creative content across the world, the potential for jobs and wealth creation from Uganda’s creative industries is huge.
The country’s rich cultural and natural heritage can generate domestic revenue by attracting travelers seeking unique experiences, which are not limited to food, traditional music and dance, crafts, and other cultural expressions, as part of their journeys.
In addition, the creative industries offer plenty of job opportunities through the performing arts, audio-visual content production and distribution, design, and creative services, as will be highlighted later.
Therefore, as part of the strategic direction of the country over the next 5 years, the government has identified the culture and creative industries as a priority for job creation and revenue generation.
However, numerous gaps continue to persist within the industry, with its contribution to Uganda’s economy not properly understood and quantified.
In order to fill these gaps and to formulate strategies to improve the performance of the different creative industries in Uganda for inclusion in the NDPIV, NPA undertook a diagnostic study on the culture and creative industries in Uganda. Today, we are delighted to present to you the findings from the study.
Colleagues, our paper provides evidence-based policy recommendations and interventions intended to address the different challenges affecting the creative industry, with the intention to unlock its potential in job creation, revenue mobilization, and cultural preservation.
I implore you all to deliberate and generate practical ideas that will help us refine some of our recommendations to the cabinet.
In conclusion, I once again thank you for honoring our invitation and thank GIZ for the commitment to provide financial and technical support towards National Development. I wish you all fruitful deliberations.
By Prof. Pamela Kasabiti Mbabazi, Chairperson, National Planning Authority