Uganda has unveiled a major investment package targeting the country’s creative arts industry and technology sector, with Finance Minister Matia Kasaija announcing a Shs 66 billion allocation for creative arts. This is to be used towards plans to establish a state-of-the-art Hi-Tech City to drive innovation, job creation and industrial development. Kasaija made the disclosure during the reading of the 2025/26 national budget at Kololo ceremonial grounds on Thursday the 12th of June 2025 signaling government’s growing recognition of the creative economy and science, technology and innovation (STI) as new engines of growth.
“Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 835.98 billion for science, technology and innovation, including ICT and the creative arts industry. Of this amount, Shs 388.23 billion is for STI, Shs 381.75 billion is for ICT and digitalisation, and Shs 66 billion for the creative arts.”
The funding for creative arts marks a significant step in formalising and expanding Uganda’s cultural industries, which range from music, film, fashion, visual arts and performing arts. Uganda has had a vibrant but underfunded creative sector for a long time now and has therefore been limited in providing employment and cultural exports, particularly among the youth.
To support the sector’s long-term sustainability, the government is also operationalising a revolving fund for artists with an additional Shs 18 billion, bringing it to a total of Shs 23 billion. The fund aims to provide affordable financing for emerging and established artists to scale their productions, commercialise content and create sustainable livelihoods. In addition, government will acquire a permanent home for creative artists to serve as a hub for production and innovation.
The creative sector will further benefit from fast-tracking the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act to strengthen intellectual property protection — a long-standing demand by artists who have often suffered from piracy and unregulated use of their work. Beyond the arts, government is scaling up its investment in digital infrastructure and scientific innovation as part of Uganda’s long-term industrialisation strategy.
