By Mulengera Reporters
When two elephants join forces, the grass beneath doesn’t suffer, it flourishes instead. Uganda’s film industry might be on the verge of such a renaissance.
Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Nyombi Thembo, has voiced strong support for a new initiative aimed at cleaning up and professionalizing Uganda’s film industry, describing it as a much-needed turning point.
Addressing the media after a key meeting with the Producers Guild Uganda, led by celebrated filmmaker Mathew Nabwiso, on Tuesday, Thembo revealed UCC’s plans to develop a Film Industry Management Framework that will set the stage for better regulation, higher quality, and sustainable growth.
“What excites me the most is the commitment to collaborate on creating a Film Industry Management Framework. This will be crucial for establishing the foundations for professionalism and sustainability in the film sector,” he said.
The development has been welcomed by many in the sector who say that, for too long, Uganda’s film industry has operated without proper guidelines, leaving talented actors, producers, and writers to navigate a system riddled with confusion and limited opportunities.
According to Nyombi, the proposed framework will not be written behind closed doors, but it will involve voices from government bodies, universities, producers, actors, writers, and distributors, and UCC believes inclusivity is the only way to build a strong industry that serves everyone.
“We aim to gather insights and opinions from every corner of the industry through this collaborative process,” the ED said, expressing optimism that the project could be the beginning of a new era.
As one of the key bodies pushing for reform, The Producers Guild Uganda has long demanded stronger structures and clear policies that can help Uganda’s cinema reach global standards.
With calls for local content to receive more support, and young filmmakers struggling to break through, many say the time for talk is over, and Uganda’s film industry needs action.
Thembo described the coming reforms as a ‘game changer’ if handled well and warned that without clear structures, many filmmakers will continue to work hard without ever reaping the fruits of their creativity. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
