For a long time, artistes in Uganda have not been paying taxes despite the huge sums of money they earn and efforts by the government to have them contribute to the national coffers have caused uproar. The latest altercation has been between Alex Muhangi of Comedy Store and Uganda Revenue Authority.

To make this work better, the government through the relevant agencies is engaging artistes on matters of taxation. On Monday, February 19, 2024, the Director of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Moses Kaggwa, met the creative industry stakeholders including musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, and fashion designers among others.

Kaggwa said the government is committed to supporting the the arts sector, employing many young people. Discussions rotated around issues affecting the competitiveness of the creative industry including the tax regime.

“The Ministry recognizes the role played by the creative industry in fostering economic development through talent promotion and revenue mobilization in the country,” said Kaggwa.

Kaggwa said the finance ministry has put in place an incentive framework to exempt the supply of movie production from VAT. He also encouraged the creative industry to benefit from Emyooga & other government developmental programs.

Some of the issues agreed to be considered include financing of the sector; market opportunities for their products; development of infrastructure for art & culture; sector governance & regulation; formalizing sector schools; promoting local content & enforcing the copyright law.