My Creative Tribe at the Pakasa for Creatives Forum
I woke up at five o’clock in the morning on October 3, 2026-an hour before my alarm in great anticipation of what the day had to offer at the Pakasa for Creatives forum. The Pakasa for Creatives is a three-year program funded by DIAKONIA under the P.O.W.E.R program to empower young creatives engagements in human rights, gender, justice and democracy using creative and cultural arts. The forum also showcased performances, messages and art pieces reaching people including duty bearers, key influencers, creatives, media and community members.
I can not put into words the intense jolt of excitement that went through me when I realised the event fell during my week off. Omukisa bweguba gugwo, teguziyizibwa. When your blessing has arrived, nothing can block it. This was my opportunity to be a part of a community I didn't even know existed within my reach, yet had yearned for as long as I could remember. Boy, was I intimidated by the thought! Subtlety is not one of my great qualities so I excitedly entered the venue half expecting to feel out of place the entire event. I was immensely proven wrong. The environment there was friendly and welcoming that it took me no time to melt into the already dense and active gathering, helping out with registration right from the start. Around the venue, roughly five tables showcased diverse artistic expressions: footwear, reusable glass, string art and shades. These were arranged around a central tent where participants sat and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. We were warmly welcomed by the Sanyu Arts staff, who outlined the day’s blueprint.
A Mosaic of Talent
As soon as I sat down, I couldn’t help but notice a brilliant fusion of illustration and haute couture, blurring the line between imagination and reality. The artist anchored a meticulously hand sketched off-the-shoulder red bodice to a sweeping, traditional striped skirt that physically extends from the canvas. It was a bold, tactile piece that brought a fashion sketch to life. It was crowned with a chic black hat reminiscent of a day at the beach. I am undeniably in the creative space, I thought. Throughout registration, I realised this event was for anyone who uses any part of their body to make art for a living. The participants ranged from dancers, musicians, drummers, and tailors to writers and even mechanics who looked so dapper in their outfits I almost developed an interest in the field. Spanning all ages, genders and walks of life, this was a place for everyone.
The opening performance came from Throne Arts, a faith based creative and performing arts group specializing in transformative dance, mentorship and live theatrical productions. Watching them tested my multitasking limits as I fumbled for my phone to document the breathtaking spectacle without missing a beat. A male performer executed moves defying human anatomy, while a dancer in yellow moved with mesmerizing elegance, accompanied by a dynamic drummer making incredible music with just his palms and a single instrument.
Following this, Da Royal Entertainment- a performing art group from Mutesa 1 Royal University- delivered an electrifying performance of traditional song and dance. The gorgeous vocals, passionate drumming, and infectious energy got me out of my seat and dancing along until self-consciousness got the better of me. It was truly unforgettable.
Government Plans and Real Support
Rachel Nabisere, a representative from the National Planning Authority addressed us. I had always imagined economic planning was a topic locked away in postgraduate classrooms, but here we were, being told that the government genuinely has a plan for us. We learned that a creative’s life does not have to be so lonely and bleak- that Vincent van Gogh should be an exception, not the rule.
She shared exciting plans, including creation of regional hubs in four regions of Uganda, the renovation of the National Theatre, dedicated spaces for creatives to sell their crafts, and involvement of Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Company to discuss how export markets for crafts could be opened for SARI creatives. She also raised awareness on the Creatives Revolving Fund which was administered under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, under the Creatives and Culture Department. She encouraged creatives to form groups, be part of associations, mentorship and coaching and formalise businesses to fully benefit the sector.
The KCCA YLF Officer then guided us on tapping into government programs for financial growth. These included skilling programs to provide youths with practical skills, the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP), GROW, SNG and the Youth Livelihood Fund, to mention but a few. He highlighted low interest startup capital options through government backed banks like Pride and Pearl bank, noting a strong emphasis on women’s inclusion (such as the Youth Livelihood Program requiring male groups to maintain a one-woman-to-three-men ratio, while female groups had no restrictions). He also issued a vital warning against scammers promising fraudulent grants and encouraging resilience among creatives: If a door closes the first time, keep knocking, he said.
The creatives also shared some of their challenges like limited access to funds, quality information relevant to their respective fields, bribery from some officials or brokers who posed as gatekeepers and that the process of acquisition of funds was long which delayed work. Creatives also highlighted that in as much as the funds were given, some of their businesses required more capital to strengthen their businesses.
The above issues can be addressed through;
Establishment of decentralized, transparent digital platforms directed by agencies like the National Planning Authority. This cuts out predatory brokers, reduces bureaucratic delays, and ensures that vital information reaches grassroots artists directly.
The banks like Pearl and Pride can expand their credit ceilings and introduce tiered financing models tailored specifically to the creator’s life cycle. This would bridge the gap between a small craft alive and building a globally competitive creative enterprise.
Final Thoughts
The exhibition tables continued to dazzle with handmade bags, leather shoes, intricate string art by House of String Art, and stunning reusable glass by Master Piece Foundation. Everything was so captivating I wanted to take it all home. Ugandans are fiercely creative, and spaces like the Pakasa for Creatives empower us to elevate our craft and represent our nation on a much higher standard. I am truly grateful to Sanyu Arts for this unforgettable experience and key actions to follow through. The forum truly underscores the power of Artivism in catalysing social change.
The article was written by Shamilah Lugasa, a member of the Bantu Creative Writers' Space formed under the Pakasa for Creatives- P.O.W.E.R program
Lugasa is a Ugandan medical doctor and writer. She has a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery, and completed her Postgraduate degree in Public Administration and Management awaiting graduation. She has a working experience of two years in the medical field currently working at Rugaaga HCIV, Isingiro District. She was the In-Charge of Gubara HCIII in Kawuku for a year. Alongside her medical career, she is a writer currently working on publishing her first novel, a contemporary medical romance, Heartbeats and Halaal, exploring themes of love, faith, identity and professional life. Her broader professional interests lie at the intersection of health care, policy, literature and social development, with a long term goal of contributing to both professional practice and Uganda’s creative and cultural landscape.
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