It is now windfall for local artists in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi following the endorsement of the East African Community’s Culture and Creative Industries Bill 2015.
A statement from Mr Richard Owora Othieno at the
EAC Secretariat in Arusha reveals that the Bill sailed through the 3rd
Reading after intense debate on the floor at the ongoing East African
Legislative Assembly sessions.
The key Bill recognizes people with talents and
skills and creates an environment that promotes talents and the
necessary infrastructure to develop the industries, many of which are
considered nascent, while removing existing barriers
The object of the Bill is to promote the Culture
and Creative industries at the EAC. The Bill seeks to establish the
Culture and Creative Industries Council that shall provide an
environment conducive to the enhancement and stimulation of creativity
and innovative endeavours among the citizens of the Community.
Once formed, the Council shall provide high
quality training for skills and creativity development and formulate
policies and strategies to stimulate creativity and innovations among
the youth to ensure long term supply of talents.
Culture and Creative Industries are considered
one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy and contribute
significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many developed
and developing countries.
The Council is also to conduct a comprehensive
mapping of individuals or groups involved in creative industries and
design practical tools that assist individuals to effectively use and
diversify their products to be locally and globally competitive.
According to the mover of the Bill, Dr James
Ndahiro, there are citizens with talents and if such (talents) are well
exploited, then individuals and the nation would greatly benefit. The
Bill, Dr Ndahiro, says, it seeks to provide a legal framework for East
Africans to excel in all forms of talent and creativity and contribute
to the welfare of the Community.
We need to celebrate the integration aspirations but only if we take into consideration and overcome challenges been faced in the cultural and creativity industries. Such include unfair treatment in terms of permits to operate, discrimination of citizens from Partner States despite our co-operation and the opening up of region due to the Common Market Protocol, Dr Ndahiro maintained.
We need to celebrate the integration aspirations but only if we take into consideration and overcome challenges been faced in the cultural and creativity industries. Such include unfair treatment in terms of permits to operate, discrimination of citizens from Partner States despite our co-operation and the opening up of region due to the Common Market Protocol, Dr Ndahiro maintained.
The debate was preceded by a Report of the
Committee on General Purpose presented to the House by the Chair of the
General Purpose Committee, Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo.
The public hearings were held from March 9-12th,
2015, to form an effective medium for sensitization of stakeholders on
the Bill and a forum for them to contribute to its enhancement.
Stakeholders visited included the government officials from the
Ministries of EAC, Culture Ministries, Private sector and officials of
the Investment and revenue collection bodies.
During debate Legislator Shyrose Bhanji said it
was necessary to support local artistes. “There is not still a good
market for artistes and it is vital for Governments to create budgets
to enable them compete in the world market”, she said.
Ms Dora Byamukama said it was necessary to have
intellectual property rights through a Bill to enable innovators to
enjoy the royalties. She called for development and mapping of an
inventory of artistes in the region as a marketing tool.
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