Cultural Industries in Uganda

Abstract

During August and September 2009, The Uganda National Commission for UNESCO Commissioned a Mapping exercise to survey the country's cultural/creative industries with the aim of: • Compiling socio-economic data on the country's creative businesses; and, • Assessing key characteristics of the industry and key players and policy environment. • To produce a report that can guide National planning, and the promotion of Culture industries for national socio-economic development of Uganda The study covered 8 Clusters which were subcategorized under 45 sub-sectors. The 8 main clusters included; Artisan products, Visual Arts, Performing arts, Cinema & Audio visual Media, Multi media, Literature, books and publishing, Museum and heritage sites/traditional knowledge and the Music Industry. And the three largest clusters in Uganda were cinema and audio visual media, the music industry and literature, books and publishing cluster. Findings of the study': Uganda has a rich culture and traditional heritage that offers potential for abundant growth of creative enterprises in all the regions of the country. Uganda has 65 indigenous communities with diverse culture offering diversity for creativity. There are approximately more than 10,000 creative enterprises in Uganda with over 45% of them located in Central region. It is found that about 250,000 people are employed by the creative enterprises based on an average of 1-5 persons for over 80% of the creative enterprises². Between 2004- 2008, Uganda exported cultural goods and Services worth US$239,095,546 which is equivalent to approximately Ug.shs.427,277,335,484 billion (UBOS 2009). These figures however are not exhaustive. In the same period, Imports of Cultural goods and services were approximately US $ 600 million an equivalent of Ug.Shs1.17 trillion. Thus exports of creative goods and services are less than what the country imports (URA 2009) showing unfavorable balance of trade. This was due to import of high value and technology intensive creative goods and services. Between 2006 -2009, creative goods and services contributed Ug.shs. 12.6 billion in tax revenue (US$6.7million) and Import Duty alone contributed Ug.shs 8.6 billion (US$ 4.5 million). In terms of potential in the Uganda's Economy, the cultural sector has a strong linkage at macro and micro levels with the overall economy; hence an important dimension of development in areas of poverty reduction, employment and revenue generation. For example traditional medicine knowledge contributes a lot to Uganda's health system (CCFU Brief 2008) The culture sector fosters economic growth, job creation, export earnings and promote social inclusion, cultural diversity and human resource development (UNCP 2006). Culture sector is a feasible option to diversify Uganda's economy and improve trade and development gains. Creative goods and services promote employment, income generation, education and recreation (UNCP 2006, UEPB, 2005). The development of the creative economy is consistent and relevant to Government of Uganda Vision 2035 (NPA 2008) on transforming Uganda from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country with in 30 years. Cultural products and services are centered in but not restricted to arts and culture, and are often found in purely commercial sectors such as fashion Industries, Television and Radio broadcasting, textiles and clothing, health and education, construction and architecture and Publishing (UNESCO 2006). The outputs of creativity are tangible products or intangible services with creative content, economic value and market objectives (UNCTAD 2007) The World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiation agenda recognizes creative sectors under the GATS agreements on services and TRIPS agreement and Uganda is also a member of the World Intellectual Property organizations (WIPO) and is bound by the agreements on protection of intellectual property. However despite this potential, Culture is inadequately integrated and supported in national planning process and programmes in Uganda such as the Prosperity for All, National Development Planning and in the National budget allocations. Culture should be strongly supported as a across cutting sector of the economy in Health, Education, democracy and governance, manufacturing, trade, technology and tourism development.