Film major employer in Uganda – EU Ambassador

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Ugandan filmmakers gathered at the National Theatre to find ways of how they can make filmmaking a profitable business in Uganda. The three-day film and culture market started on Monday and ends on Wednesday (September 11).

The event is held under the theme “Upgrading the East African Film Industry”.

During a symposium, stakeholders gave insights on how the Ugandan Film Industry can be made a profitable business. In his address, the chief guest and the head of the European Union in Uganda, Ambassador Jan Sadek said that he is a fan of Ugandan-made movies and credited film producers like Nana Kagga, and Louk Man Ali for making award-winning film productions.

European Union Ambassador to Uganda Jan Sadek delivering a keynote address at the culture and film market symposium. (Photo by Alfred Byenkya)

“I am a fan of Ugawood because of the stories that Ugandans tell through their productions. I also love acting and if I had not taken a career in diplomacy, I would have been a film star,” he said. He also said the film Industry needs to be streamlined and be supported by the government of Uganda because it has potential to create jobs for many Ugandan youths.

“Film productions employ a lot of people and if you see the credits, the name of those that have contributed to it are always many. It is the reason why the government and development partners like the European Union must support the Ugandan Creative Industry,” he said. He urged Ugandans to come and attend the European film festival that will be taking place at the National Theatre late next month.

Margaret Kafeero, the head of diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the government has been reluctant to finance Ugandan-made film productions because they had not yet recognized the value they offer.

“The challenge we keep asking ourselves is what do films bring to the table? Before one asks for funding, we look at things like interests. For instance, is the film representing our own Ugandan story and interests?” she said.

She also told the filmmakers to stop working as individuals because it is hard for an agency to trust an individual with sponsorship or partnerships.

“The government is a formal establishment and you cannot get support from it without you being registered. The problem with creatives is that they prefer working alone because of they think they are special,” she stressed.

Margaret Kafeero, the head of diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda at the event. (Photo by Alfred Byenkya)

Mariam Ndagire, a filmmaker agreed with Kafeero and urged her colleagues to desist from copying from other countries and instead focus on telling Ugandan stories through film. “We need to focus on content that represents our culture the way Indians, Nigerians and Chinese always do with their productions,” she said.

Godfrey Musinguzi, the executive director of the Kampala Film Foundation said their goal is to make sure they build an industry that is profitable. “In Uganda, the film industry is not paying. We don’t have film distribution systems and that explains why filmmakers are in it for passion while concentrating on other businesses that support their livelihoods,” he added.