The WALK Creative Arts Foundation will get 2.1billion shillings to support the registration of all the creative arts sectors in Northern Uganda.
According to Solomon Aboda aka Badman Solo, the funding will help in carrying out the registration of all nine domains of the creative arts, which include music, performing arts, films, arts and crafts, books and publicity, culture and natural heritage, support services, media, and collective societies.
Badman Solo who is the interim chairperson of Walk Foundation explained that once the data registry is completed, the foundation will hold extensive training sessions aimed at addressing the financial illiteracy that many creatives face. This initiative will help them better manage their finances and enhance their professionalism in the industry.
“These funds will also be used to support the agricultural sector, particularly coffee farming. Through a partnership with Operation Wealth Creation, 2.5 million coffee seedlings will be provided to creatives, helping them diversify their incomes and reduce reliance on the music industry,” said Mr. Aboda.
The fund will be channelled through the first phase of the 2024-2025 financial year from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
The foundation will focus on four sub-regions of Northern Uganda: West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja. Representatives have been appointed for each region, including Adewale Bakole (West Nile), Pamela Peace (Acholi), Atine Maros (Lango), and Mr. Luku-Tang Alex, aka MC Gray (Karamoja).
Mr. Aboda Solomon also expressed his frustration over the unequal distribution of post-COVID recovery funds. Despite 30 billion UGX being allocated for creatives, he said, most of it has been channeled to Kampala-based creatives, with little to no support reaching those in Northern Uganda. This gap led to the formation of the WALK Foundation.
“We formed WALK to ensure Northern creatives benefit from such initiatives,” Aboda added.
In the 2024-2025 financial year, the Uganda Music Federation, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, is set to allocate 5 billion UGX to boost the country's creative industry. The WALK Foundation has requested 2.1 billion UGX to fund the data registry project for Northern creatives.
Ms. Sylvia Damalie Owori, Director of Operation Wealth Creation, has expressed confidence that these funds will help identify and register all creatives in Northern Uganda, allowing the government to plan better and recognize their talents.
