The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa has pledged to support Uganda’s film industry describing it as an important platform that helps in the promotion and preservation of culture and heritage.
The festival has been instrumental in promoting Ugandan films and talent and demonstration of commitment of UCC and other partners towards building a thriving local film industry in Uganda since its establishment in 2013
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa expressed his sincere gratitude to UCC and Partners for the support towards the Uganda film industry during the 10th anniversary of the Uganda Film Festival held on Friday 2 May 2023 in Kampala.
Mr. Tayebwa said, “It is very clear that the film industry in Uganda has a very huge potential if supported, today, you can stream a movie at a very cheaper price.
I pray that we continue to bring down all these costs to enable very many Ugandans watch local content. It has the power to change the narrative of our society.
We must also fight piracy so that local content producers can effectively benefit from their sweat. Parliament will expeditiously process the law once tabled by the executive.
I thank UCC Executive Director Ms Irene Kaggwa Sewakambo for driving our local film industry in the right direction.
I also congratulate all those who got awards in the various categories & encourage those who didn’t to continue working hard.
The Uganda Film Festival is an annual celebration of Uganda’s best talent in the film Industry where leading actors, actresses, film directors, scriptwriters and other creatives are recognized for their outstanding role in the development of the film industry.
On funding shortfalls crippling the sector, Tayebwa urged film makers to organize themselves so that the government could support them.
“We just passed a budget of Shs51 trillion against priorities of Shs234 trillion. So for you to be relevant, to be included in that, you have to be very organized. I urge the players in the film industry to get organized, and then we have data on how best we can support you,” Tayebwa added.
He commended the Uganda Communication Commission for promoting the film industry for the last 10 years.
He said UCC’s 10 years of consistency has been key in preparing local content on our screens.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi in a speech read by Permanent Secretary, Dr. Amina Zawedde said the industry if well supported can help to employ a lot of young people.
UCC acting Executive Director, Eng. Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo said the local film industry is a sector which has a great opportunity to create employment.
