Elijah Kitaka
Themed “Full Monetization of the Ugandan Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation, and Market Access,” the 2025/2026 national budget was presented by Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
Kasaija delivered the budget speech during the second sitting of the first meeting of the fifth session of the 11th Parliament, held Thursday at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Among the sectors receiving significant allocations this financial year is the creative industry, which has been earmarked Shs 66 billion.
“Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 835.98 billion for science, technology, and innovation (STI), including ICT and the creative arts industry. Of this amount, Shs 388.23 billion is for STI, Shs 381.75 billion is for ICT and digitalization, and Shs 66 billion for the creative arts,” the minister noted.
The Shs 66 billion allocation will support job creation, the acquisition of a permanent home for creative artists to produce and innovate, and the fast-tracking of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act to protect intellectual property and artistic works. It will also go towards further capitalization of the artists’ revolving fund, with an additional Shs 18 billion added—bringing the total fund to Shs 23 billion.
The government recognizes that the creative arts sector offers a critical pathway for Uganda to develop high-tech exports, while also unlocking new sources of economic growth and employment.
