Government eyes culture as economic driver

Government is seeking to turn Uganda's cultural heritage into an economic engine by developing financing mechanisms for creative businesses, linking cultural products to tourism markets and developing regional cultural facilities.

The plan is part of a broader push to use the culture and creative industries to create jobs, increase household incomes and generate wealth, with officials saying cultural products should be treated as businesses rather than simply expressions of heritage.

In an interview, Mr Bernard Bakaye Lubega, the Assistant Commissioner for Culture in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said culture had become a priority under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).

"Culture is a priority. Since we started implementing NDP4, we have an objective of leveraging the potential of the culture and creative industries for job creation and wealth creation," Mr Lubega said.