This report is the final of three reports exploring skilling for youth in the culture and creative industries (CCIs). The first provides a landscape review of relevant literature, and the second documents research findings. This report offers recommendations for the future of skilling for young creatives in Uganda. The literature review found a significant knowledge gap on opportunities and challenges for digital skilling in the sector in Uganda in an era where technology is fundamentally changing some creative industries by creating new avenues for producing, selling, distributing, and consuming creative goods and services with the potential to reach a more comprehensive range of consumers globally. A closer reading reveals that what is documented about Uganda’s CCIs leans towards the more traditional models of skilling and practice. Furthermore, the literature review found that CCIs in Uganda continue to face challenges including high rates of informality, skills and knowledge shortages among various actors, and an absence of infrastructure for capacity building. Artists lack the business acumen, management skills, and legal knowledge to manage their careers in a manner that makes their artistic careers sustainable, while the lack of formal education in arts management means there are few managers who are able to skillfully manage careers of talented artists. Knowledge and skills around intellectual property rights, including for digital creatives, are scattered. Creatives have to navigate economic, social, and political tensions in the country, as laws and regulations that stifle creativity remain.

The following questions guide this research, as detailed in the findings report.

• What are the benefits and challenges of digitalization that young creatives see?
• What skills do youth use and need as creatives in today’s digitalized age?
• And finally, do available skilling opportunities address the needs of creatives in a digital age?

To answer these questions, we share findings from around 78 creatives, experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders we engaged between April and June 2023 across the culture and creative industries (from filmmaking to content creators) in Uganda. This dialogue included interviews, a brainstorming session with creatives, and a final research validation workshop to share our findings and invite a discussion on next steps on policy.

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