World Culture Day Commemoration, Government Calls For Digital Transformation Culture And Creative Industries

Uganda has today joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Day for Cultural Diversity for dialogue and 
Development commonly known as World Culture Day.

The Day of 21st May was declared by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the 
United Nations General Assembly, Resolution No 51/249. Uganda has since 1999 been joining the World to commemorate 
the day

Hon. Dr. Muuuzo Peace the state minister for gender and Culture has revealed that the commemoration 
of World Culture Day 21st May 2024 under the theme: "Digital transformation of the culture and creative industries: 
Packaging Art and Culture as a national public good" this has been selected to emphasize the need to modernize legal structures to support the digital transformation of the creative industries, while ensuring that art and culture remain accessible and beneficial to all members of society.

"It requires a thoughtful approach that balances creators' rights with public access and supports the preservation and 
celebration of cultural heritage".She said
The theme is in line with Conference of Ministers of Culture held in Mondiacult, September 2022 in Mexico in which 150 States 
declared for the first time that culture is a “global public good”. Consequently, States made a call for culture to be included “as 
a specific objective in its own right” among the next United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The minister expressed the need for substantial regulation of the digital sector, notably of the major platforms, for the benefit of online cultural diversity, artists’ intellectual property rights and fair access to content for all.

The commemoration of the National event is taking place at the National Theatre in Kampala and other venues across the Country in the decentralized arrangement.

"The purpose of this day is to create awareness among the public on the importance of culture in development, deepen understanding of the norms, values of Cultural Diversity and appreciate Uganda’s heritages. It provides a platform for 
Governments, organizations and individuals or groups ofcultural practitioners to share and celebrate the Ugandan rich 
and diverse cultural heritages".Said tthe minister. 

Uganda’s Constitution Article 37 provides that: every person has a right as applicable to belong to, enjoy, practice, profess, 
maintain and promote any culture. Uganda is also member ofthe United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural 
Organization (UNESCO).

The Ministry is partnering with, the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, Uganda National Cultural Centre,Pearlwood, Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda, Corporate bodies, and Private sector organizations such as Media Housesto commemorate the day.The minister reveald

The key objective is to mobilize the public and raise awareness of the importance of culture and the need to strengthen the sector for socio-economic transformationand provide an opportunity to deepen understanding of cultural diversity’s values and advances the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression adopted on 20th October, 2005, these include Support sustainable systems of governance for culture;. Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase the mobility of artists and cultural professionals;. Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks and Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.she said.