The government has launched a Shs 28 billion Creative Uganda Revolving Fund (CURF) aimed at expanding access to affordable financing and business support for artists and cultural enterprises across the country.
The fund was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
Introduced in July 2025, CURF is intended to address persistent challenges facing Uganda’s creative sector, including limited access to capital, weak formal business structures and underutilisation of intellectual property.
“Creativity is not a hobby, but a viable economic activity capable of transforming lives and communities,” Mutuuzo said, adding that the fund is part of government efforts to formalise the sector and strengthen its contribution to national development.
The Shs28 billion allocation has been structured across three main areas, with Shs5 billion earmarked for Musician SACCOs under the Uganda National Musician Federation, Shs5 billion allocated to strengthening copyright management systems, and Shs18 billion set aside to support SACCOs across nine other creative domains.
These include film, performing arts, fashion, publishing, digital content creation and culinary arts.
CURF operates as a revolving fund, with resources disbursed through artist-led SACCOs expected to be repaid under agreed terms, allowing the funds to be recycled to support additional beneficiaries.
Loans will attract an interest rate of 5 percent and feature flexible repayment schedules designed to reflect the seasonal and project-based nature of creative work.
Beyond financing, the fund will offer capacity-building support in areas such as financial literacy, business management, intellectual property awareness, market access and digital technology adoption.
It also introduces alternative collateral arrangements, allowing intellectual property rights and performance contracts to be recognised as verifiable assets.
According to Mutuuzo, the initial phase of implementation has already seen Shs 9.5 billion disbursed to partners including the Uganda National Musician Federation, WALK Creative Arts Foundation and copyright organisations such as UPRS, URRO and UFMI.
A further Shs 2 billion has been allocated for the development of a national Copyright Management System, while Shs1 billion has been set aside to support the Uganda One Art and Culture Festival, which will showcase creative products and serve as the official launch platform for CURF.
Mutuuzo said the fund will be guided by strict governance and accountability measures, including independent monitoring, clear eligibility criteria and safeguards against misuse or political interference.
Priority will be given to youth- and women-led initiatives, registered creative enterprises and projects with clear market potential and employment impact.
Government says the Creative Uganda Revolving Fund is expected to support thousands of creative enterprises, create sustainable jobs, raise household incomes, boost cultural exports and strengthen the creative sector’s overall contribution to Uganda’s gross domestic product.