How Shs 28bln revolving fund will boost Uganda’s creative economy
Spanning music, film, fashion, visual arts, crafts, digital content, publishing, and the performing arts, the sector has played a critical role in shaping national identity while providing livelihoods for millions of Ugandans, particularly young people and women
KAMPALA, January 9, 2026 — Uganda’s creative industry has long demonstrated significant potential as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural diplomacy.
Spanning music, film, fashion, visual arts, crafts, digital content, publishing, and the performing arts, the sector has played a critical role in shaping national identity while providing livelihoods for millions of Ugandans, particularly young people and women.
Despite this promise, the industry has historically struggled with structural challenges, chief among them limited access to affordable and patient financing. Most creatives operate within the informal economy, lack collateral, and are routinely excluded from traditional financial services. As a result, talent remains undercapitalised, businesses stagnate, and Uganda continues to export raw creativity rather than high-value creative products.
Against this backdrop, the government has allocated Shs 28 billion in the 2025/2026 national budget to establish a sustainable financing mechanism aimed at accelerating the growth of Uganda’s creative and cultural industries.
The Minister of State for Gender and Culture Affairs, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, says the fund has been specifically designed to respond to the unique needs of the creative economy.
Of the total allocation, Shs 5bln has been earmarked for Musician SACCOs under the Uganda National Musicians Federation [UNMF]. Another Shs 5bln will be directed towards strengthening copyright management, including the procurement of a Copyright Management System and support to Collecting Management Organisations [CMOs].
A further Shs 18bln has been set aside for Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs] serving nine other creative domains: performing arts; film and video; visual arts and crafts; fashion and design; books and press; interactive media; software and digital innovation; cultural and natural heritage; and culinary arts.
The fund is intended to expand access to affordable capital by offering tailored financial services to creative entrepreneurs and associations.
“The fund is also aimed at promoting formalisation by encouraging informal creative businesses to transition into registered entities, thereby improving their visibility, credibility, and ability to access future financing,” Mutuuzo said.
She added that the Creative Uganda Revolving Fund has been structured as a revolving financing facility. Funds disbursed to beneficiaries through artist domain-based SACCOs will be repaid under agreed terms, allowing the resources to be recycled and extended to more creatives over time.
Uganda’s creative industry significantly boosts the economy by contributing around 3-4.1 of gross domestic product [GDP], roughly Shs 4.2 trillion, creating jobs, especially for youth, and women, fostering innovation, driving exports [ crafts, film], and generating revenue in sectors like music, fashion, design, media, and acting as a key driver for structural transformation and youth empowerment, even though it faces challenges in formalisation and infrastructure.
https://thecooperator.news/greater-northern-uganda-govt-injects-shs1bln-into-creative-economy/
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