The WALK Creative Arts Foundation has received a significant financial boost from the government through the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Solomon Aboda, the foundation's chairman, expressed gratitude to the government for recognizing and supporting creatives in Northern Uganda.
Aboda announced that the government has disbursed UGX 1 billion to WALK Creative Arts Foundation's Sacco account, thanking Minister Betty Amongi and Hon. Dr. Peace Mutuzo, the foundation's patron madam Sylvia Damalie Owori for their support and not forgetting the committee members for their tirelessly struggles.
"As Northern Ugandans, we have suffered for a long time, being sidelined and unrecognized, but for the first time, we are happy to see the government supporting us," he said.
The foundation is a non-political umbrella, and Aboda urged against politicization. "We are non-political, and we don't want people to politicize Walk Creative Arts Foundation.
"We appreciate the government's support, and we will support them in return, especially given the peace and security in Northern Uganda now."
The funds will be used as a revolving fund, where members can access loans after registering and saving with the Sacco.
Aboda appealed to the media to continue amplifying the voices of creatives, stating that the foundation has sent proposals to the European Union and other stakeholders for support.
He also stated that the MasterCard Foundation Uganda has also pledged to support the foundation with more funds next year, citing it as the only well-organized body in Uganda.
Aboda added that the foundation also received 10 tons of maize from Operation Wealth Creation, which was distributed to creatives.
Aboda encouraged members to look beyond poverty and chase development, promising better things to come next year.
The Foundation’s General Secretary, Simon Oyoo Nyigiling, told journalists during a media briefing on Tuesday that the support is part of a long-term 49-billion-Shilling development plan spread over ten years.
Nyigiling says artists and other players in the creative industry from Northern Uganda, with guidance and support, submitted a proposal of 49 billion shillings to the government.
The funds will be disbursed starting January next year to registered Sacco members who have been saving with them.
So far, the Foundation has registered over 5,000 members operating in the creative industry across Northern Uganda, including musicians, publishers, promoters, and other creatives.
Registered as a company limited by guarantee, the Foundation aims to support creatives across nine domains of the arts and creative industry as defined by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. These include music, performing arts, film and video, arts and crafts, books and publishing, software and innovation, cultural and natural heritage, and support services.
The WALK Creative Arts Foundation (West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Karamoja) is a Ugandan initiative supported by Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and the government to empower artists in Northern Uganda by building production studios, providing training, and funding events, aiming to boost the regional creative economy through audio-visual storytelling and cultural development.
