President Yoweri Museveni has pledged UGX 5 billion (approximately $1.35 million) to support a savings and credit cooperative (SACCO) for Uganda’s digital content creators, marking a significant boost for the country’s rapidly expanding creative economy.
The commitment was announced on March 1 during the second edition of “Jazz with Jajja,” a youth-focused engagement hosted at the President’s country home in Kisozi, Gomba District. The event brought together members of the media fraternity, particularly TikTokers and YouTubers, under the coordination of local media personality Kasuku.
The “Jazz with Jajja” initiative is designed as an informal platform for dialogue between the President and young Ugandans often referred to as “Bazzukulu.” The second edition followed the inaugural gathering, which drew high-profile attendees including First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni and First Daughter Natasha Karugire.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, President Museveni described the engagement as an opportunity to interact with creatives contributing to what he termed the “new economy.”
“From the farm, Maama and I were pleased to have a sit-down with our Bazzukulu for the 2nd edition of Jazz with Jajja. I was glad to interact with these young creatives who are contributing to the new economy. They are doing something different, combining promotion with celebrity, technology, and enterprise, and linking it to other sectors beyond traditional advertising. This is innovation,” he wrote.
Central to the discussions was the formalization and strengthening of a SACCO tailored to digital content creators. According to organizers, the SACCO aims to provide structured financial services including savings and access to credit to influencers, vloggers, and online entrepreneurs who often operate outside traditional employment frameworks.
VIDEO: President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to inject 5 billion shillings into Kasuku’s Luseke association.
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The UGX 5 billion pledge is expected to provide seed capital to operationalize the cooperative, subject to further consultations on structure and governance. President Museveni is scheduled to meet Kasuku again next week to review detailed proposals regarding the SACCO’s management and sustainability framework.
During the engagement, Kasuku reportedly reminded the President of a lighthearted exchange from the inaugural edition, where he had jokingly requested gifts for attendees. At the time, Museveni responded that, as a presidential candidate, offering gifts could be misinterpreted as voter inducement but indicated he would revisit the matter after the elections. Saturday’s pledge appeared to revisit that earlier conversation, this time in the form of institutional financial support.
Politics and the Creative Economy
While the gathering maintained a relaxed tone, it also carried political undertones. Kasuku congratulated President Museveni on his recent electoral victory and reiterated the importance of continued engagement between government and digital creators.
Observers note that the move reflects growing recognition of the digital economy as a driver of employment and influence, particularly among Uganda’s youth population. Platforms such as TikTok and YouTube have created new avenues for income generation, brand partnerships, and social commentary.
However, analysts say the long-term success of the proposed SACCO will depend on transparent governance structures, accountability mechanisms, and clear eligibility criteria to ensure it benefits a broad spectrum of creators rather than a select few.
President Museveni Announces ‘Ranch Edition’ of Jazz with Jajja
A Growing Trend of Youth Engagement
The “Jazz with Jajja” series underscores the administration’s strategy of engaging young Ugandans through informal dialogue and direct interaction. As digital creators increasingly shape public discourse and consumer trends, government outreach to the sector signals both economic and political interest in the space.
With follow-up meetings planned, stakeholders in Uganda’s creative industry will be watching closely to see how the pledged funds are structured and disbursed and whether the initiative sets a precedent for sustained institutional support for digital entrepreneurs.
