East African Business Week

KAMPALA, UGANDA - The Minister of Trade and Industry Ms. Amelia Kyambadde has advised artists to form consortiums if they are to successfully navigate the challenges facing them.
She advised the artists during the third annual Fireworks Art Exhibition held in Kampala last week.
"Art has come a long way, only that in Africa it has taken a very long time for people to appreciate art. This trend is however changing and the future is now brighter, that is why artists need to form groups so as to share challenges like pricing and market", she said.
Amelia Kyambadde also added that the ministry of Trade and Industry is also setting up a directory to cater for all Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) so that there's an umbrella that caters for everyone in that category. She said this will be actualized in two months time.
She also said that her ministry has a long term objective of creating crafts villages that will act as a one stop shop for all art enthusiasts. She said the Ministry will try to emulate the crafts village in Botswana.
She also added that the government will also create a legal framework to help the artists overcome the challenges of counterfeits and duplication as well as enable the artists gain a brand by setting up infrastructure for them.
Daudi Karungi, a contemporary artist and the night's lead painter told East African Business Week that such exhibitions are the beginning of the end of artists' struggle for recognition as Ugandans who were hitherto unexposed to art can gain knowledge.
"We have over the years wanted to sell our art to fellow Ugandans but there was no opportunity, so over 95% of our artworks are bought by foreigners. So the Public Private Partnerships like these ones can enable us market our art to fellow Ugandans", he said.
He also added that more galleries need to be set up so as to attract the budding artists to showcase their pieces.Suzan Kerunen, one of the few Ugandan contemporary musicians entertained the guests who included Makerere University Vice chancellor, Kenya and Tanzania's High Commissioners as well as other high ranking Ugandans.
The melodious singer staged provided a classic mix to an art theme that captured everyone's attention.