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Uganda’s creative industry is filled with young people who are passionate about film, live events, sound, lighting, and design. Many are already creating, often learning through trial and error, but few have access to structured training or professional production environments. For many creatives, the challenge is not talent — it is opportunity.
That is the gap Play It Loud is working to address.
The Ugandan production and live events company has announced the launch of its Creative Trainee Programme 2026, an initiative aimed at giving emerging creatives hands-on experience and a clear pathway into professional production spaces.
Play It Loud is widely recognised for producing large-scale live events, concerts, studio shows, and live broadcasts across Uganda and the region. As the company expanded and began delivering productions at a higher level, the need for trained local talent became increasingly clear.
“When we started producing at scale, we realised something was missing,” said Shafik Nekambuza, part of the Play It Loud management team. “Uganda has incredibly creative young people, but many are untrained, undiscovered, or simply haven’t had the chance to work in structured, professional environments.”
Rather than importing talent or lowering production standards, the company chose to invest in local capacity.
“We asked ourselves how we could grow without leaving our own industry behind,” Shafik explained. “The answer was to train, mentor, and build from within.”
The Creative Trainee Programme targets aspiring directors, directors of photography (DOPs), set designers, data managers, and sound and lighting technicians. Trainees will work directly on live events, studio shows, and live streams, gaining real-world experience in fast-paced production settings.
“This programme is not about watching from the sidelines,” Shafik said. “It’s about being on the ground, under pressure, and learning what it truly takes to deliver professional productions.”
Participants will be mentored by experienced local professionals, as well as industry experts from across Africa who will travel to Uganda to support the training. In addition to technical skills, the programme emphasises professional discipline, teamwork, and creative management.
“It’s also about sustainability,” Shafik added. “Some trainees will grow into long-term careers with Play It Loud. Others will build their own paths and go on to train others. That’s how a strong, sustainable industry is created.”
Play It Loud says the initiative also provides a safe and structured space for young creatives to express themselves, refine their skills, and gain confidence in an industry that often lacks formal entry points.
Applications are open to creatives who can demonstrate prior work. Interested applicants are required to submit links to projects they have worked on to production@playitloud.com.
“We are not looking for perfect resumes,” Shafik noted. “We are looking for passion, commitment, and people who are already trying.”
The Creative Trainee Programme will run for a minimum of three months, with only shortlisted applicants contacted. Applications close on 25 January 2026.
Through this initiative, Play It Loud is positioning itself not only as a production company, but as an active contributor to the growth and future of Uganda’s creative industry.
