What is the process of applying for Media Permits in Uganda? Can I do it myself or do I need to use a local film fixer? What is the price of a Media Permit in Uganda?
For all media/film crew intending to film in Uganda, Media Permits and permission from local authorities are a must-have prior to the start of your shoot. Realm Africa Safaris™ – a local film fixer based in Entebbe can assist you to apply and successfully secure all relevant filming permits and permission required for your shoot.
What permits or permissions do I need to Film in Uganda? The kind of permits or permissions needed for filming in Uganda depends on the nature of your film project.
Generally speaking, you will need; Media cards/ Press accreditation for each member of the crew, and a location permit to shoot in a given location of your choice.
Related: Realm Africa Safaris™ can assist in location scouting across East Africa.
How to apply for Media Permits in Uganda
Media Permits In Uganda are issued by the Uganda Media council after each individual or crew member fills out FORM G. This form must be accompanied by copies of scanned passport (bios Page) and a recent passport-sized photo to be used in processing your Media Permits (Press accreditation).
It does take us approximately 02 – 03 working days from the time we receive all the above-mentioned documents to process your media card.
To accompany all the individually filled out FORM G’S for each crew member, the team leader has got to send us a detailed write-up or synopsis of the film you intend to shoot in Uganda.
After all the above is sent through, our Uganda film Crew Fixer Services team leader will then proceed to submit these to the Uganda Media Council for approval. Upon approval, we will then contact and inform you of this achievement.
After securing your Media cards, we will then need to advise and also further assist you in securing all the other necessary permits and permissions all guided by your film Scriptwriter or the Synopsis
Press Accreditation fees in Uganda (Payable to Uganda Media Council)
- a fee of US$175 per person is paid for a period not exceeding 30 days of the journalist’s stay.
- a fee of US$225 per person is paid for a period beyond 30 days up to six months of stay.
- a fee of US$325 per person is paid for a period of two years.
** The fees mentioned above are set and can be amended by the Uganda Media Council without any prior consultation. we, therefore, remind you to treat these as a guide.
Other permissions needed for Filming In Uganda.
Once we have obtained your Press Accreditation from the Uganda Media Council, we then need to acquire location filming permits/ permission from relevant authorities. For instance, if you intend to film gorillas in Bwindi Forest, then you will need to fill out a UWA Commercial film & Photography Permit request form, and thereafter send it through to Uganda wildlife Authority – UWA for approval (See: Filming inside Uganda’s National Parks).
Various Film/Video Fees apply for filming within National Parks, Wildlife Areas, and Conservation Areas. National Parks and Conservation areas have fees specific to film crews that are subject to change regularly. See Uganda Wildlife Authority Website for up-to-date Filming fees/charges.
Depending on where you want to film In Uganda, there will probably be filming fees for the area. Filming fees are a huge factor in any filming project budget, therefore, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Otherwise, if you are filming in another location other than in the National parks, we need to seek permission from the local area leaders and the Uganda police. Realm Africa Safaris™ will assist you in negotiating the best deals on location permits and permissions.
***It is important to bear in mind that Uganda is a developing country, one with many rules and regulations and therefore it is important to be properly guided through bureaucratic processes.
Importing your film equipment into Uganda
Considering that Uganda is the filming destination of your choice, you will most definitely need to bring in filming equipment. The best way to do this is by air. We recommend that you plan to accompany your filming equipment all the way to your filming destination – in other words, be on the same flight as your equipment. The other option is to air freight it as ‘unaccompanied’ luggage. However, be informed that the option of flying in your equipment ” unaccompanied may turn out to be more expensive, and the equipment risks sitting too long at customs port of arrival something that requires you to plan for yet extra days to pick it up from customs.
Temporary importation of film equipment falls under a Bond system in Uganda.
With the Bond system, you have the option of depositing the full value of the equipment with the Uganda Government for the duration of the shoot. On exit, you can apply to get this Bond money refunded.
Otherwise, film crews can pay a non-refundable 10% of the total value of the equipment to a freight agent who will allow you to use his Bond. This is a quicker and easier process. Realm Africa Safaris™ has a reliable and efficient freight agent whom we work with on most of our filming projects.
Related: How to import a drone into Uganda.
What is there to film in Uganda?
There are a couple of interesting things to shoot/film in Uganda.
