For the last 31 years, Uganda has enjoyed relative political stability that helped them improve human rights, democracy, and economy. As the World Bank highlighted, Uganda’s FDI inflows surpassed its neighbors: Kenya and Rwanda, making it a popular destination for foreign investors.

In 2018, the “Uganda Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” Initiative took a big step toward improving the startup ecosystem in the country and launched a two-phase initiative to boost entrepreneurship in different regions. The first phase focused on evaluating the operating environment and strategizing to create a better entrepreneurial context. The second phase will be the implementation of the proposed strategy. The initiative’s results would evolve the startup ecosystem by improving survival rates and boosting startup growth.

In 2020, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance introduced the “Digital Uganda Vision” to improve countries’ global ICT indices to become an attractive spot for investors and improve interoperability. Additionally, The National ICT Initiatives Support Programme (NIISP) strengthens digital and innovative products in the ecosystem. Therefore, Uganda would be an ideal location to launch your software and innovative products. As the innovative products are highly supported by the government, rising sectors in the region includes Fintech, Software & Data, and FoodTech. Moreover, the start-ups in the country are succesful enough to get an investment from global players like Google and Y-Combinator.

Notable Startups

• Ridelink is a logistics-as-a-service company that provides affordable and sustainable transportation solutions for businesses to expand in new markets.

• Xeno Investment Management is an investment app helping its users to accomplish their financial goals.

• MyFy is an e-commerce app which promises its customers to manage their business over the phone without owning a physical location.

• Numida has a mission to grow African small businesses with its microfinancing services.

• Safeboda defines itself as Africa’s super app that provides services such as mobility and payments to its customers.

• ClinicPesa provides you with access to healthcare financing, that is more convenient and affordable than the traditional Insurance, through a digital micro-loans and savings platform.
  
  

Notable Coworking and Accelerators

• Design Hub Kampala is 2000 square meter warehouse renovated to collaborative work environment for entrepreneurs, freelancers, designers, writers, product developers, marketing minds, tech start-ups, and makers.

• The Innovation Village provides a co-working space, in addition to its rich programs and events.

• The Work Studio is a fully-furnished workspace at the capital city Kampala.

• Hive Collab Accelerator is a hub for young tech entrepreneurs. Digital entrepreneurs can access the internet and a professional environment to develop their ideas.

• Outbox Hub is an accelerator based in Kampala that offers African entrepreneurs the option to benefit from technology while building high-growth companies. It collaborates with many other institutions to organize innovation challenges.

• IventureAfrica launches entrepreneurship programs to support entrepreneurs scaling up their ideas using technology and innovation.

• Curad mainly focuses on agri-businesses and collaborates with Makerere university, NUCAFE, and the NARO coffee research center, encouraging graduates to become entrepreneurs.

• Makarere Innovation & Incubation Center organizes several programs to incubate technology-enabled ideas from universities and SMEs.

• Shona has a mission to build “good businesses” in East Africa by guiding businesses in areas such as strategy, revenue optimization, operations, and investment.

• UNDP Uganda Accelerator Lab addresses the deforestation problem in Uganda via e-commerce to connect informal market vendors online and the empowerment of youth.

• Google for Startups is a three months long virtual accelerator for startups with high growth potential.
  
  
  

Notable Organizations

• Response Innovation Lab supports the growing innovator community of Uganda by providing tools and guidance to actors for developing solutions to humanitarian challenges.

• The Kampala Angel Investment Network (KAIN) brings innovators, entrepreneurs, and angel investors to achieve the mutual goal of bringing ideas to life.

• Startup Uganda enables entrepreneurs to reach the knowledge, support programs, mentors, and investors needed to succeed. They are Uganda’s largest startup community with over 30.000 members, 10.000 startups, and has organized over 500 events.

• Uganda Development Bank aims to accelerate socio-economic development through sustainable financial interventions. Recently, they introduced the Enterprise Development Program to prepare entrepreneurs for financing business activities.

• StartHub Africa has a base in Uganda that helps entrepreneurs to find suitable partners and connect with a network of investors.

• Federation of Young Entrepreneurs- Uganda devotes itself to supporting younger generations in the business. They organize an annual youth entrepreneurship forum and support activities like business clinics, peer mentoring, and training.