West Nile Creatives Demand Inclusion and Support in Government Programs

Arua City — April 16, 2025

A vibrant group of creatives from West Nile—including DJs, MCs, music artists, content creators, and comedians—have voiced their frustration over continued exclusion from key government initiatives, despite their role in shaping culture, influencing public opinion, and driving socio-economic development in the region.

In a high-level engagement held today at Capital One in Arua City, the creatives met with Hon. Zoe Bakoko Bakoru, former Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.

The meeting sought to understand the challenges faced by the region’s creatives and explore possible solutions to better support their craft and contribution.

During the dialogue, members of the group cited several issues, chief among them being:

Exclusion from Government Programs: The creatives lamented the lack of inclusion in state programs designed to support the youth and talent development. They emphasized their crucial roles in preserving culture, spreading information, and promoting regional identity, yet continue to be overlooked.

Marginalization During National Events: A key concern raised was the preference for Kampala-based journalists and performers during presidential visits, leaving local talents underutilized and underappreciated.

Unfulfilled Presidential Pledge: The group also called attention to an unfulfilled promise of UGX 150 million, which President Yoweri Museveni had reportedly pledged to support West Nile artists.

In response, Hon. Zoe Bakoko Bakoru called for unity among creatives and the formation of a union or association to help organize and present their concerns more effectively to the relevant authorities. She stressed that such a body would enhance the group’s negotiating power and enable structured dialogue with government stakeholders.

Additionally, the former minister pledged to personally follow up on the UGX 150 million presidential pledge and other concerns raised during the meeting and also reaffirmed her commitment to being a voice for the youth and the creative industry if elected, noting that supporting local talent is key to job creation, peacebuilding, and regional development.

The meeting ended with a renewed sense of hope among the creatives, who now look forward to greater collaboration, visibility, and support from both local leaders and national government.