By Our Reporter
Artists have been advised to organise themselves if the creative industry is to attract the necessary support and resources needed for it to prosper.
This was echoed by Innocent Byaruhanga, the Assistant Commissioner, Family Affairs at Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development while addressing guests at the Performing Artists Conference that was held on Monday at Victoria University.
“Let us rally around the structures in place and collaborate with them,” Innocent Byaruhanga advised. “The inadequacy of these structures can always be checked by informing those at the helm and where need be the incompetent leaders replaced.”
“But you have to make sure you are organized.” Byaruhanga emphasized. “If the government is to be convinced that resources need to be allocated to the creative industry, you need to be organized.”
The conference, which was being held for the second time, was attended by various key stakeholders in the Performing arts and creative industry and was intended to create awareness about how policy can protect, promote and preserve local content.
“A policy is not a law. It is a thinking of a company or an organization to guide their activities. Unlike law making that is the preserve of parliament and guides a nation, policy is enacted by organizations and other similar entities.” Richard Kawesa, the keynote speaker explained. “The law can’t come from a vacuum. Policies come first and these are also guided by the national values and identity.”
Kawesa further noted that the intent of values, policy, law and regulations is to create an orderly and prosperous society. “That’s how you build a community. You have common values, and its those values that unite you as one.” He added.
The conference follows the launch of the National Intellectual Property Policy in September 2020. During the launch, President Museveni said that the National Intellectual Property Policy will give innovators the full protection of the law through patents, copyright, trademarks, among others which will enable innovators to earn their rightful recognition and financial returns for their toil and sweat.
Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce. This also covers the works of musicians, poets and writers.
