Julianne Mweheire Shares UCC’s Commitment to Empowering Uganda’s Film Industry
Julianne Mweheire (left) talking to Aloyo Annet (right) in the interview.
During this interview, Julianne provided an in-depth account of UCC’s critical contributions to the growth and development of the film sector in Uganda. She highlighted the Uganda Film Festival, which has been instrumental in identifying and promoting new and emerging talent within the industry for the past twelve years. This initiative has not only fostered a growing audience for local content but has also led to substantial improvements in the quality of that content, primarily achieved through comprehensive training programs designed for various stakeholders in the film industry. However, Julianne did not shy away from discussing the numerous challenges that continue to affect the growth of the sector. One of the most pressing issues is the difficulty filmmakers face in accessing adequate funding, which is crucial for creating local content that can effectively compete with foreign productions. Additionally, she emphasized the urgent need for enhanced digital skills training to engage the youth, who represent a significant demographic within the population.
Another challenge she pointed out is the rampant issue of piracy, which the government is actively working to address through regulatory measures and enforcement strategies. Julianne also took the opportunity to commend the contributions of Mediavision Academy in the area of training, noting that for the past ten years, the academy has partnered with UCC and seven other educational institutions to build the capacity of film stakeholders across Uganda. She stressed the necessity of establishing avenues for financing the creative sector, ensuring access to the latest infrastructure, and developing the audience for local content.
Julianne Mweheire the Director Economic Regulation, Content & Consumer Affairs at UCC talking on camera.
To enhance the success of the film sector, Julianne highlighted that the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) is considering advocating for the introduction of more formal film courses in universities, which would include scholarship opportunities for aspiring filmmakers. This initiative aims to provide students with the necessary education and resources to thrive in the industry. Looking ahead, the commission is committed to continuing its support for the film sector by expanding the scope of film training programs, which will cover various aspects of filmmaking, including the business side of the industry. Additionally, UCC plans to promote local content more effectively, ensuring that Ugandan films gain the recognition and audience they deserve.
Left to right Nkambo Robert, Julianne Mweheire, Aloyo Annet and Tina Katushabe pose for photo after the interview.
Nkambo Robert, the founder of Mediavision Academy, who was also present during the intervidew, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between UCC and the Mediavision. He said the academy is celebrating 10 years of film and television education and values its strategic partnerships, especially with UCC, to build capacity in the creative sector. Nkambo reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to collaborating with UCC for industry growth.
Written by Nkambo Robert, Director Mediavision Academy.
