The Ministry of Finance, represented by Director for Economic Affairs Moses Kaggwa, convened a meeting with stakeholders from the creative industry, including musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, and fashion designers, to discuss the tax regime and other pertinent issues affecting the sector.
The meeting, held on Monday, February 19, 2024, in Kampala, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the creative industry, which serves as a vital source of employment for many young people and contributes to economic development through talent promotion and revenue generation.
Director Kaggwa reiterated the Ministry’s recognition of the creative industry’s role in fostering economic growth and highlighted efforts to provide support through incentive frameworks. Specifically, Kaggwa mentioned the exemption of movie production from Value-Added Tax (VAT) as one such measure aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the sector.
Moreover, stakeholders were encouraged to explore opportunities under government developmental programs, such as Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM), to further enhance their growth and sustainability.
Key issues discussed during the meeting included financing for the sector, market opportunities, infrastructure development, governance and regulation, formalization of sector institutions, promotion of local content, and enforcement of copyright law.
Additionally, the recent ratification and accession of Uganda to four key copyright treaties—the Berne Convention, the WIPO Copyright Treaty, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, and the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances—were highlighted as significant steps towards protecting the rights of creators and fostering a conducive environment for creative expression.
These treaties afford creators exclusive rights over their literary, artistic, and audiovisual works, providing essential protections for their intellectual property. The accession to these treaties extends protection to Ugandan creators internationally, enhancing their opportunities for recognition and remuneration.
