Ms Rukia Nakadama Isanga, the Minister Gender, Labour and Social Development have encouraged the young people to exploit their talents and engage in arts and crafts.
Minister Nakadama says natural talent cannot only create jobs but will help youth tackle the problem of unemployment.
In her speech read by Andrew Moses Awany, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the Minister noted that the youth can exploit such talents to earn a living for themselves without relying on other people for financial support.
She also appealed to families to increase their household income through the sale of cultural products and services.
But the prospect of getting a market for handicrafts has become a nightmare for young wood carvers in Gulu who plan to set up art shops in the future.
Mr Morris Odong, the Production and Logistic Officer for Gulu Theater Artist Center, Layibi division in Gulu Municipality says, “Many intending buyers look at our products as low standard and prefer to buy similar products from countries like Kenya and other places.”
He attributes the problem to the poor market strategy since most of the local artists are cash strapped due to low sales.
For close to two years, they manage to sell only three pieces of arts which mostly are bought by the European and American students.
Luo talent centre has a collection of art pieces worth over Shs4 million.
He however, said the future looks bright for the local artists since many have started to value the artworks which depict their culture.
They also appeal for support from the well-wishers as a way to promote untapped talent from the region.
Ms Cissy Akello, a resident of Gulu town says she prefers to spend her money on similar products from elsewhere than buying locally made arts products which are not well polished.
Over 250,000 people are employed by the 10,000 existing cultural enterprises despite the failure to protect its cultural heritage despite receiving funds from UNESCO.
The fund was to enable the country to offer special protection to cultural sites.
