She added that the theatre is to undergo redevelopment as one of the first interventions to raise pride of artistes and development of the industry.
In 2014, the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) management developed a concept for re-development of the UNCC land which was approved by the UNCC board of trustees and as required by the law.
The concept was then submitted to the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development for consideration and was later approved.
Speaking at a press briefing at Uganda Media Centre on Monday, Hon. Peace Regis Mutuuzo the Minister of State for Gender and Cultural Affairs said that the Ministry sought advice from the Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) on how to proceed with soliciting for a developer and was advised to procure a transaction advisor.
She added that the Ministry is at the stage of contracting the transaction advisor who will guide them through the entire redevelopment process.
‘’We are firm on the re-development; there are also a few antidevelopment elements who are busy inciting artistes and the public against this noble cause. These elements have decided to misinform the public that government is selling national theatre. This is absolutely not true,’’ she said.
An artistic impression of the soon to be constructed national theatre
According to Minister Mutuuzo, the facility’s facelift will be undertaken though public private partnership.
“The current theatre structure will be maintained because it is historical attachment. It is the area around it that will be re developed. We want our new structure which will be 14 floors to stand the test of time just like USA’s Hollywood has.”