Female creatives, storytellers, and media professionals convened at the Next Creata Hub on March 26 for the Creata Connect Women’s Month Edition, a session that moved beyond conversation to focus on building value within Uganda’s growing creative economy.
Organised under the theme “Visibility to Value,” the monthly community series by Next Creata set out to challenge a common industry mindset—being seen is not enough. The session instead emphasized turning visibility into meaningful careers defined by impact, income, and sustainability.
The event created space for open and candid discussions, with women sharing personal journeys across media and creative industries.
Conversations centred on growth, monetisation, and the importance of building authentic networks that support long-term success.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Shamim K. Matovu urged young women to embrace self-belief and take ownership of their space without waiting for external validation.
“Sometimes you have been told you have to wait to be called on to show up,” she said. “You have to wait for someone to validate you. Why? Why do you have to wait for another person to tell you who you are?”
Her remarks set the tone for a session focused on confidence, identity, and clarity of purpose.
The panel discussion brought together Victoria Sibiya, Samantha Okullo, Caroline Ampaire, Hannah Arinaitwe, Zayra Baby, and Kamanzi Ruth Rwego, each offering insight into navigating the creative industry and building sustainable careers.
Zayra Baby stressed the importance of self-respect and intentional partnerships, noting that alignment with brands plays a critical role in long-term growth.
“You will never find me working for somebody just because that person is big,” she said. “How you handle yourself is the same way people will come for you.”
From a brand perspective, Caroline Ampaire highlighted the shift in how creatives are evaluated, pointing out that audience size is no longer the primary factor.
“Audience size comes last,” she said. “Those dynamics have changed. You may have a big audience that is not engaged at all. So for me, brand fit comes first.”
Victoria Sibiya encouraged creatives to define their values early, arguing that clarity in personal principles shapes decision-making and builds trust over time.
“One of the things I ask my mentees: what are your top three values?” she said. “These are the three things you live by, things you cannot change no matter what is happening.”
Beyond the discussions, the session also prioritised networking, allowing participants to connect, exchange ideas, and form collaborations that extend beyond the event space.
With free entry and an open invitation to women in media and digital fields, the gathering reflected a growing, supportive community.
As Women’s Month drew to a close, the message from the Creata Connect Women’s Edition was clear: visibility may open doors, but lasting success in the creative industry depends on clarity, consistency, and the courage to define and own one’s value.
