Government has sought to clarify the intended deal to privatise part of the land on which the Uganda National Cultural Centre sits in a bid to help the centre generate a steady income.
While addressing the media on Monday morning, the state minister for gender, labour and social development, Peace Mutuuzo, said that the public-private partnership deal for the construction of twin towers around the cultural centre, of which the national theatre is the main component, is part of fulfilling NRM’s manifesto to achieve a ‘middle income economy’ by 2020.
The minister explained that making the Uganda National Cultural Centre become financially viable will put it in a better position to support arts and culture in Uganda.
However, veteran musicial Moses Matovu, of the Afrigo Band, whose early career was moulded at the national theatre; argues that better management of the theatre and not redevelopment is what will get money and arts both thriving.
Matovu, says the theatre’s glory days were when artists were allowed space at the theatre to nurture their talent. He adds that the management’s continued upward review of fees for artists has led talent away from the theatre and this has led to falling audience figures which has put the theatre in the situation it is now. Matovu now believes that the theatre management should engage all shakeholders to find a solution that does not involve excluding those who cherish it the most.
The National Theatre has been in existence for now 57 years and it has been a hub for breeding artists and bands.