The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in collaboration with Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), SBL Media, and other creative stakeholders, has officially launched the UGANDA ONE FESTIVAL, a national celebration of Uganda’s creative and cultural economy.
The launch, which took place on December 17, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to promote the creative industry as a key driver of economic growth and job creation.
Hon. Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, affirmed the government’s commitment to the sector, stating, “The Creative Industry is central to Uganda’s job creation and identity.”
The UGANDA ONE FESTIVAL, scheduled for January 8-9, 2026, is a pioneering two-day event that will unite thousands of creatives, performers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and cultural leaders to showcase Uganda’s creative and cultural wealth across nine domains.
Sylvia Owori, Chairperson of the National Organizing Committee, emphasized the festival’s economic potential, saying, “This festival is an economic engine. We are unlocking the full potential of Uganda’s creative economy.”
The festival promises to be a groundbreaking event, showcasing Uganda’s rich cultural heritage and creative talent.
Herbert Mugisha, the CEO of the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS), explained that UPRS is a collective management organization (CMO) legally mandated to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of musicians in Uganda.
He emphasized that music is intellectual property, and its commercial use necessitates payment to the creator, likening it to paying for rent or electricity, and dispelling the myth that music is free.
The CEO announced that UPRS has reformed, implemented new systems, and rebranded with the tagline “Let Music Pay,” as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, having been incorporated in 1985.
