From The Observer

For the hopefuls, Uganda’s film industry can be as resourceful as the hyped oil sector – with potential to turn around Uganda’s economy.

These derive their hope from success stories in countries like Nigeria, South Africa, India and USA. In South Africa for instance, Gauteng province, where an estimated 75 per cent of filming and television industry is based, film contributes $360m annually and directly employs more than 8, 500 workers.

Nigeria’s Nollywood, on the other hand, employs about one million people in the areas of film production, distribution and exhibition and is ranked as the second revenue collector – after oil. Film contributed an estimated $800m between 2009 and 2012.

Creating a favourable working environment and funding from government has been one of the secrets behind the success of the film industry in these countries.

“An organized film industry in Uganda could reap similar benefits,” said Fred Otunnu, the acting director of competitions and consumer affairs at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

Otunnu speaks of a critical need for capacity building and skills development.

“Actors in Nigeria and America have all gone for formal training. Our actors may be talented but they also need to go to the schools of art to be able to make professional and globally competing productions,” he says.

Read more at observer.ug