Imagine a place where the landscape is breathtaking, the culture is vibrant, but the silence is deafening. There is no local radio crackling with news, no television flickering with shows. The only voice that breaks the stillness is a station from across the border in Kenya, Kalya Fm.
This is Amudat, a district located 400 kilometers north-east of Uganda’s capital, Kampala. In this isolated corner, a group of twenty-three young performing artists has found a way to thrive, fueled by passion and the Presidential Initiative on Job and Wealth Creation (Emyooga). The vital injection of capital through the initiative enabled them to rent premises, and invest in professional recording equipment, three public address systems, a generator, and a mini computer lab.
The studio, not only offers a professional environment for local artists to record, produce, and distribute their work, but also generates income for the youth. Experienced artists are charged six hundred thousand shillings to have their content produced, while budding artists are charged four hundred and fifty thousand shillings. By providing access to high-quality recording equipment and production tools, the youth are nurturing a new generation of musicians who would otherwise be struggling to get their content well-packaged for the consumers.
Beyond supporting individual talent, the youth rent the public address systems for functions at a cost of three hundred thousand shillings per system. In a good week, all three systems can be rented out, raking in nine hundred thousand shillings as income. But that’s not all – they also provide practical services like secretarial work and basic computer classes, catering to various digital needs.
The venture is already having a tangible impact on the community. It has created employment opportunities for young people, fostered a sense of purpose and pride, and provided a platform for artistic and intellectual growth. Further, the residents no longer have to hire public address systems from Moroto, about 118 kilometers away, as was the case previously.
The creative space that these youth have established exemplify the transformative power of Emyooga. By providing start-up capital and support, the program is enabling youth to become drivers of economic growth and social change. As they continue to innovate and expand, they serve as a shining model for other youth groups across the district. Their success underscores that with the right support, young people can turn their visions into realities, fostering vibrant enterprises that uplift their homesteads and inspire future generations.
