A report by the European Union/United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) project on the governance of culture in developing countries has recommended that government imposes a local screen quota of 30% local programming for all cinema halls with the goal of boosting the local film industry.
The report is a culmination of a year-long project undertaken with support from UNESCO, European Union and the Ministry of gender, labour & social development (MoGLSD) as part of the efforts to support the development of the local film sector.
Speaking during the final workshop review in consultation with stakeholders from the film industry, government and private sector, Polly Kamukama, National Expert on the project proposed that there should be a deliberate effort by government to ensure airing of local content in cinema halls.
“…the government should also support the local cinema sector to address the film distribution/exhibition challenge as follows: impose a local screen quota for all cinemas starting with atleast 30% local programming for all multiplexes,” she explained.
In addition, there were other proposals to subsidize film making equipment to reduce heavy capital costs for film makers.
Ugandan enterprises urged to explore regional oil and gas opportunities“Majority of Uganda’s film makers lack access to even the basic of film making equipment due to high prices, lack of technical know how and restrictive policies. There is need to subsidize film making equipment to improve quality of local productions and increased investment in film as well as an increase in the film tax base,” she urged.
Furthermore, the project proposed the establishment of a public film studio and incubation hubs, establishment of a film village, supporting film festivals and establishing a National film training program to upskill local film actors.
Addressing crowds via a virtual meeting, Juliana Akoryo, commissioner of Culture, Ministry of Gender revealed that the ministry will table the recommendations together with a implementation plan by the team of experts in Parliament for final adoption with the goal of bolstering the local film industry.
