Your Talent Is Now Bankable

Backed by a UGX 28 billion investment, CURF is a Government of Uganda initiative designed for the way creatives actually earn — in projects, royalties, gigs and seasons rather than monthly salaries. It is delivered by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in collaboration with the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), and aligned with NDP IV and the Uganda National Culture Policy 2025.

This is credit built around irregular, royalty-driven earnings — not forced into a one-size-fits-all bank template:

• Interest fixed at 5% per annum — a flat, affordable rate, far below typical market credit.
• Loans from UGX 500,000 to UGX 50 million — whether you're buying a camera or financing a film.
• Three financing options — standard loans, equity partnerships for creative businesses, and invoice financing against confirmed contracts.
• Flexible repayment — up to 12 months, with a grace period of up to 3 months and graduated or balloon options tied to your project cycle.
• Fast turnaround — applications processed in just 3 to 10 working days when documents are complete.

CURF recognises both traditional and non-traditional security — so you can borrow against what you actually own:

• Intellectual property — royalty statements from CMOs (UPRS, UFMI, URRO), copyright certificates, and licensing or distribution contracts.
• Digital & media-rights income — YouTube, TikTok and Spotify statements, plus endorsement and influencer contracts as proof of earning power.
• Movable assets — studio equipment, instruments, cameras and computers, alongside conventional land or vehicle collateral.

To use IP as security, register your work with the URSB under the SIMPA Registry — SACCO loan officers are being trained to assess and value these creative assets fairly.

"Turning talent into sustainable livelihoods — placing culture at the centre of national development, so no talent goes to waste."

— Creative Uganda Revolving Fund

CURF removes the usual gatekeeping. There is no mandatory prior savings or existing SACCO membership required, and special priority goes to women, youth and persons with disabilities. Both individual creatives and registered creative enterprises can apply.

As an individual, you'll need to show active creative work (performances, exhibitions, publications, contracts or royalties), maintain at least one digital footprint such as X, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook or Spotify, and present a simple plan for the loan. Your application package includes your National ID (NIN), a short portfolio or business profile, a basic proposal, and a recommendation letter from your Community Development Officer.

Funds are channelled through two kinds of prequalified SACCOs to balance regional and sectoral coverage. Musicians' SACCOs serve music and music-related businesses across all 19 cultural sub-regions:

Meanwhile, five regional SACCOs (Eastern, Northern, Western and two in Central) serve nine other creative domains — performing arts, film & video, visual arts & crafts, fashion & design, books & press, interactive media, software & digital innovation, cultural & natural heritage, and culinary arts — including creatives who aren't yet SACCO members.

Fifteen creative subsectors qualify, covering practitioners across the entire value chain — from makers and performers to studios, galleries, publishers and agencies:

More categories may be added as the programme grows, verified by the National Culture Forum (NCF).

1. 1
   Inquire & register

   Membership is optional. Start with a consultation at a prequalified SACCO, online portal, or cultural hub.

2. 2
   Apply & submit documents

   NIN, portfolio, a basic proposal, and your recommendation letter — online or with staff help at a SACCO office.

3. 3
   Assessment & verification

   Identity, creative activity and collateral are checked — typically within 3 to 10 working days.

4. 4
   Approval & disbursement

   Sign your agreement, attend a short pre-disbursement briefing, and receive funds directly or via a supplier.