A Look at Recent Regulatory Shifts Across African Film Industries: Uganda

Recent film industry-related regulatory reforms and other noteworthy developments in key African regions. Uganda:

1. EU Business Acceleration Project

The Ugandan International Trade Centre and the European Union (EU) announced a project titled “Opportunities are Here” (OAH) in October 2023. The initiative is designed to boost the Ugandan film industry by providing young talents with specialized mentoring, networking opportunities, and media exposure.

2. UCC Regional Film Competitions

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), through the Uganda Film Festival, launched regional film competitions in 2023, aimed at boosting local productions, designed to recognize, reward, and promote outstanding films and talent.

3. Addressing Stakeholder Concerns

In 2020, the (UCC) invited film industry stakeholders, to engage in dialogue over new regulations. The goal was to address stakeholders’ concerns and clarify misunderstandings about the regulatory mandate and the objectives of the regulations through public sensitization meetings. However, specific details on the extent to which these concerns have been fully addressed or any changes made to the regulations in response to stakeholder feedback are not explicitly detailed.

4. New Licensing Terms

In November 2023, the UCC updated its licensing film terms and conditions as part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the communications sector, which encompasses film production and distribution. However, details have not been made public.

Overall, these recent developments demonstrate Uganda’s commitment to nurturing its film industry, with a focus on enhancing local productions and supporting talent. However, addressing the broader challenges including a more transparent regulatory environment, remains crucial.