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Experts in the Creative Space observe that the potential of the sector to the economy is finally paying off with many people starting businesses across the country.
These sentiments were shared by Ivan Sewajje, Marketing Lead at MoTIV during the MoTIV second edition of Creative Central, an event celebrating the uniqueness, diversity, and innovation within Uganda’s creative sector.
The event that lived to its goal delivered an unforgettable experience, bringing together multiple creative disciplines under one roof to highlight the immense talent thriving in the community.
It was celebrated under the theme “Building for Sustainable Growth” The Creative Central aimed at creating the viability and importance of Uganda’s creative and cultural sector to socio-economic growth by creating new pathways to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
According to Ivan Sewajje, Creative Central is designed to celebrate creativity by providing a platform for creatives from diverse facets within MoTIV and the broader community to showcase their talents and collaborative efforts.
“This event offers a curated blend of interactive activities, performances, and exhibitions that highlight the intersectionality of creativity, including interactive games, fashion-forward runway shows, electrifying music performances, and culinary delights.
These include a Games Zone with immersive and interactive gaming experiences and a Fashion Show that will showcase the latest trends from emerging designers, highlighting the intersection of fashion, art, and culture. We will also have music showcasing powerful performances by local musicians and bands across various genres, and a fun and inclusive Karaoke session where attendees can unleash their inner performers.” said Sewajje.
Furthermore, the event featured a market day dubbed “Omwoleso,” which showcased a diverse selection of handmade crafts, artworks, and unique products from local artisans and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, a food Showcase delighted attendees’ taste buds with a culinary extravaganza featuring a variety of cuisines from food trucks, local eateries, and culinary artists associated with MoTIV and beyond.
In the last five years, Uganda’s creative sector has experienced tremendous growth, marked by a surge of talent, innovation, and global recognition.
This growth has been driven by a dynamic mix of young, talented individuals who are leveraging their creativity to forge new paths and create unique content that resonates both locally and internationally.
As a haven for creatives, MoTIV was established to create platforms that support creatives in transforming their ideas into scalable businesses across the value chain.
This has been achieved through a series of interventions, including skill development via their academy, provision of tools within their maker spaces, enabling market access on both online and offline platforms through Omwoleso, and community events like Creative Central where creatives can network, share ideas, and collaborate.
A Creative Economy Outlook report by the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2021 indicated that the global exports of creative goods increased from US$ 419 million in 2010 to US$ 524 million in 2020, while world exports of creative services increased from US$ 487 billion to almost US$ 1.1 trillion during the same period.
