The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in partnership with Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), has launched a nationwide creative and cultural initiative dubbed the “Uganda One Festival,” slated for January 8 and 9, 2026.
The national festival is expected to bring together thousands of creatives, performers, entrepreneurs, innovators and cultural leaders from across the country to showcase the full spectrum of Uganda’s creative and cultural wealth.
The arts and creative sector represented at the festival will include music, film and video, performing arts, books and publishing, visual arts, culture and heritage, digital media, fashion and other creative enterprises. Organisers say the festival is intended not only to celebrate talent but also to position the creative industry as a serious contributor to national development.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the event, Sylvia Owori, the chairperson of the organising committee and a coordinator with OWC, said the Uganda One Festival goes beyond entertainment.
“This is not just a celebration of talent. It is an economic engine. We are unlocking the full potential of Uganda’s creative economy. This press launch is our rallying call to the nation’s artists, creators and partners. It is time to recognise, monetise and protect what we create, Owori said.
Owori further revealed that through OWC, musicians have so far received support worth Shs40 billion to boost their welfare. She said the funds were channelled through musicians’ associations and federations to support livelihoods and professional growth within the industry.
She noted that the creative sector employs millions of young people directly and indirectly, yet has for years been under-recognised despite its economic potential.
The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, was represented at the launch by the ministry’s Principal Communications Officer, Joshua Kyalimpa. In his remarks, Kyalimpa said the creative industry is no longer peripheral but central to Uganda’s job creation agenda and national identity.
“The creative industry is now a key driver of employment and a strong pillar of our national identity. That is why it is clearly captured in all government policy frameworks,” Kyalimpa said.
He added that government already has in place the National Creative Industry Policy, which serves as an enabler for the sector by ensuring structured funding, talent identification and the development of infrastructure that allows creatives to work, innovate and compete sustainably.
Kyalimpa said initiatives such as the Uganda One Festival demonstrate government’s commitment to treating the creative sector like any other productive industry, with clear systems, protection mechanisms and long-term investment.
The festival will also serve as a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, business opportunities and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening Uganda’s creative economy
