Engeri ekitongole ki Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) gye kiyambamu abakyala abasuubuzi okubeerawo mu kiseera kya nnawookeera wa Covid-19
Engeri ekitongole ki Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) gye kiyambamu abakyala abasuubuzi okubeerawo mu kiseera kya nnawookeera wa Covid-19
Omukutu gwa Covid-19 Business Info Hub gwayogerako ne Winnie Lawoko-Olwe ono nga y’akulira amakolero wamu n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonotono (SMEs) ku Uganda Investment Authority (ekitongole ekivunaanyizibwa ku by’okusiga ensimbi mu ggwanga) nga twagala okumanya engeri ekitongole kino gye kiyambyemu abakyala abasuubuzi okuyita mu nnawookeera.
Ernest Wasake: Tukusaba weeyanjule era otubuulire ne ky’okola ku Uganda Investment Authority
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: Nze Winnie Lawoko-Olwe era nga nze nkulira obukolero wamu n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonotono ku Uganda Investment Authority.
Ernest Wasake: Omukutu gwa Covid-19 Business Info Hub gutunuulidde okussa essira ku ngeri abakyala abasuubuzi gye basobodde si kubeerawo bubeezi wabula n’okuyitimuka mu kiseera kya nnawookeera. Tubuulire ku bikukwatako era ne ky’okola ku Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). Osobodde otya okubeerawo wamu n’okuyitimuka ku kiseera ky’olumbulege?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: Covid-19 yajja ng’ekyewuunyisa eri buli muntu. Ate olw’embeera y’amateeka n’ebiragiro ebyassibwawo okugobererwa mu kiseera kino, kyali kyetaagisa okulowooza okw’amangu wamu n’okukyusa enkola embagirawo. Nga UIA, twatandikirawo okukola okunoonyereza era bizinesi eziwera nga 385 ze zaagezesebwa nga 30% zaali SMEs. Ate ku 30% ezo, 32% zaali za bakyala.
Tukimanyi bulungi nti eby’enfuna bya SME mu Uganda bitambulira nnyo ku nsimbi enkalu. Ekirwadde kyakosa abakyala abasinga era ne bafuna okusoomoozebwa ku ngera gye batemaatemamu ssente ez’okuddukanya emirimu wamu n’ez’okulabirira amaka gaabwe.
Mu kupimaapima, kyazuulibwa nti bizinesi zaali zinyigiriziddwa nnyo era nga zeetaaga okwongerwamu ku ssente. Era kyazuulibwa nti walina okubaawo ekikolebwa okusobozesa bizinesi zino okukyusa enkola zaazo okuva mu kutunda ebintu obutereevu ku nguudo badde mu nkola ey’okuweerezeganya ssente ku ssimu, okuzimba enjegere ezituusa ebintu ku bantu wamu n’okukola ebintu ebyo abaguzi bye basinga okwetaaga.
Mu nkola eya “Rising Woman campaign”, UIA etunuulira engeri gye tuyinza okutwalamu bizinesi z’abakyala ku mutendera oguddako-ogw’okukolera ku mutimbagano nga muno mulimu okunoonya akatale wamu n’okusasulira ku byuma mu kifo kya ssente enkalu. Kaakano okutendekebwa kugenda mu maaso era nga tusuubira okuvaayo n’enkola entuufu mu mbeera y’okukwasaganyiza emirimu ku mutimbagano.
Ernest Wasake: Investment authority eyambye etya obukolero n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonotono mu kiseera kya nnawookeera.
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: Mu kiseera kino ekya nnawookeera, ekimu ku bisoomooza eby’amaanyi bye tulina kwe kuba nti amateeka agassibwawo okugobererwa (SOPs) gassa ekkomo ku muwendo gw’abantu be tusobola okuyamba. Mu kitundu ky’obulwadde ekyasooka, amateeka gaali gatukkiriza okuyamba abantu abatasukka 10 ne kitulemesa okutuuka ku balala. Olw’obukwakkulizo obwo, UIA etandise enkola ey’okutendeka abakulembeze b’ebibiina by’abakyala nga bano bwe baddayo ne basomesa bannaabwe ebyo ebiba bibayigiriziddwa. Okutendekebwa nakwo kukendeezeddwa okuva ku kubayigiriza okutondawo wamu n’okuddukanya emirimu ne kudda ku ngeri y’okunoonyamu obutale. Tutunuulidde engeri y’okuddukanyiza emirimu ku mutimbagano era n’okukozesa ebyuma bi kalimagezi.
Ernest Wasake: Olinawo obujulizi obwa bizinesi eziyitimuse mu kiseera kya nnawookeera era kiki kye tuyinza okuziyigirako?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: Bwe kiri, tulinawo zi bizinesi eziyitimuse era ezo zisobodde n’okwegatta ku nkola ey’okuddukanyiza emirimu ku mutimbagano. Tulina abakyala banji abakola eddagala eritta obuwuka (sanitayiza) wamu n’emmere era nga kaakano beeyunga ku mukutu gwa Zimba mart (mukutu oguli ku mutimbagano nga gwatondebwawo ekitongole kya Zimba Women). Ka ngambe nti Zimba Women kye kimu ku bitongole bye tusuubira nti bijja kuyamba nnyo abakyala okubatwala ku mutendera oguddako kubanga kyatandikibwa bakyala abategeera obulungi embeera z’omukyala wamu okusoomoozebwa kwonna abakyala kwe basisinkana.
Ekibinja eky’okubiri kye tukola nakyo kiyitibwa “Business and Professional women” ab’ettabi lya Kampala era nga bano batuukirira ebibiina by’abakyala eby’enjawulo n’okubayamba okuzuula ekiseera ekituufu we basobolera okutunda ebyamaguzi byabwe ku mutimbagano.
Ernest Wasake: Kiki ekiyinza okukolebwa okwongera ku muwendo gw’abakyala abenyigira mu by’obusuubuzi mu Uganda?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: okusobola okwongera ku muwendo gw’abakyala abenyigira mu by’obusuubuzi mu Uganda, tulina okusooka okuzuula ebintu eby’enjawulo ebisobola okukolebwa tusobole okwewala embeera y’abakyala abanji okwenyigira mu kintu ekimu. Njagala njogere ku bintu ebikulu bisatu abakyala bye batera okusisinkana: Ekisooka, basobola batya okutema empenda ezinaabasobozesa okukula, eky’okubiri okuyiga engeri gye basobola okuteekamu ekitono nga baddukanya emirimu gyabwe, eky’okusatu kwe kufuna okuyambibwakomu by’ensimbi mu ngeri esoboka era etunuulira obusobozi bw’omuntu obw’omunda.
Nkimanyi nti enkola ya Stanbic Bank eya Business Incubator ekoze bulungi mu kukwasaganya ebintu ebyo, naye bwemba omukyala omusuubuzi abeera e Busia, nnaalaga wa okufuna okumanyisibwa okwo? Wano nze nsuubira nti we wali ekinyusi – okufuna omukutu ogugatta eggwanga lyonna, nga buli mukyala wonna waali asobola okufuna okumanyisibwa kwonna kwe yeetaaze ng’anyiga bunyizi peesa n’asobola okuzuula abantu b’ayinza okukolagana nabo. N’ekisembayo be bantu be tulabirako – kino kitegeeza nti tutunuulira abakyala abatuuse ku buwanguzi mu bintu eby’enjawulo ne bafuuka eby’okulabirako wamu n’okukulembera bannaabwe.
Ekirala, ndowooza nti waliwo omuwaatwa mu mbeera y’okuteekawo ssente ez’enjawulo okuyambako abakyala aba SMEs. Bwe twogera ku nkola y’emyooga eriwo ensanji zino(enkola ey’okweggya mu bwavu), kyetaagisa omuntu okweyunga ku kibinja so ng’ate oba tosobola kweyungako nga SME. Nga SME, kyetaagisa n’oba ng’osobola okugenda awantu wonna ne bakupimaapima nga basinziira ku busobozi bwo, akatale k’olina wamu n’engeri gy’ogenda okuyitamu okusobola okubikozesa obulungi. N’olwekyo nze nsuubira nti ebyo bye bintu eby’enkizo ffe nga Uganda Investment Authority bye tusaana okussaako essira tulabe nga tubitereeza.
Ernest Wasake: Ng’omuntu, magezi ki g’oyinza okuwa omukyala okumuyambako okwekulaakulanya?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: Ng’omuntu, nnyambyeko Vantage Communication ne Zimba women ku ngeri gye basobola okukulaakulanya buzinesi zaabwe okusinziira ku mbeera. Ebitongole byombi bikola ebintu ebirungi era byasobola okutuukiriza obukwakkulizo obwetaagisa mu kuteekateeka embeera eddukanyizibwamu emirimu. Amagezi wano gali nti; ggwe musuubuzi, bizinesi ogimanyi era omanyi ne ky’ogyetaaga mu. Ddamu olowooze kungeri gy’oyinza okugaziyaamu bizinesi yo. Osobola okugigaziya okutuuka ku mutendera kw’ogyetaaga ku lulwo? Bw’oba osobola, awo ky’okola kijja kusigala nga kintu kya njawulo ekigulwa abantu abatonotono so ng’ate abakyetaaga bayinza okuba nga banji. Ekikulu kye tutunuulira kiri nti; manya obusobozi bwo we buli era obunywerereko. Eky’okubiri, tunuulira ebikolebwa. Bwoba oleeseyo ekyenjawulo, oyiyiizzayo engeri ey’enjawulo gy’onoyitamu okufuna akatale? Kiki kye weetaaga okukola? Olina kitunzi? Weetaaga omuntu anaakukwasaganyiza eby’enfuna? Bw’oba omaze okwekkaanya emitendera gino emikulu mu bizinesi, awo obeera ojja kusobola okuzuula omuntu omutuufu anaakuyambako mu kugiddukanya. Bwoba tolinaayo muntu yenna ow’omunda, olwo obeera onookikwasaganya otya? Ekyo kitegeeza nti ogenda kuwandiikayo abakozi. Ebintu by’okola osobola okubissaako omuwendo? Bw’oba omaze okubiwa omuwendo, bigwanidde okussibwa ku katale?
Nze ndowooza nti waliwo ebintu bibiri abasuubuzi bye beetaaga okumanya. Ng’omusuubuzi, olina ekigendererwa, olabye omuwaatwa era okimanyi nti akatale keetaavu. Ekyo nno kya mugaso. Naye mu mbeera y’okugaziya ebintu byo, n’okutwala bizinesi yo ku katale weetaaga okwekkaanya emitendera egyo. Olina okulaba nga ky’okola kye kimu leero, enkya n’olunaku olunaddako. Kino kitegeeza nti engeri gy’okolamu ebintu byo eri ku mutindo, kino kikuyambako mu kufuna akatale kubanga ky’otunda kiba kya njawulo.
How the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is helping women entrepreneurs outlast the pandemic
The Covid-19 Business Info Hub spoke with Winnie Lawoko-Olwe, Director of SMEs at the Uganda Investment Authority to learn how the Uganda Investment Authority is helping women entrepreneurs through the pandemic.
Ernest Wasake: Would you kindly introduce yourself and what you do at the Uganda Investment Authority?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: My name is Winnie Lawoko-Olwe and I am the Director of SMEs at the Uganda Investment Authority.
Ernest Wasake: The COVID-19 Business Info Hub is looking to focus on how women entrepreneurs have been able not only to survive, but to thrive during the pandemic. Tell us about yourself, and your role at Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). How have you been able to survive and thrive during this pandemic?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: COVID-19 came as a major surprise to everybody. And because of the nature of the Standard Operating Procedures and the activities around the pandemic, it required fast thinking and fast adaptation. As UIA, we immediately conducted research that where a total of about 385 businesses were interviewed. And of these interviewed, about 30 percent were SMEs, and of those 30 percent, we were able to interview 32 percent specifically women.
We know very well that the SME economy of Uganda is a very much a cash economy. The pandemic affected most women and challenged how they balanced finances for the businesses and finances for their families.
The assessment found that the businesses are distressed and needed additional money. The assessment also found that a intervention was needed to help businesses change their models from the direct channel of selling off the street to the effective use of mobile money, networks to deliver your business, and developing business products to what clients need the most.
Under the Rising Woman campaign, Investment Authority is looking at how we can take the women’s businesses into a next level of digitization in terms of marketing their products, in terms of effectively using mobile payments as opposed to cash payments. And we are running trainings in six areas for the newly developed digitization product for the campaign. We are going to be able to come up with a clear product rollout in terms of digitizing and e-commerce adaptation
Ernest Wasake: How has the Investment Authority supported the SME sector during the pandemic?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: In this period of the pandemic, one of the major challenges is that our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have limitations on number of people that we can support. During the first part of the pandemic, our programs were supporting about a maximum of 10 people, thereby limiting outreach numbers. Given these limitations, UIA has started delivering capacity building programs that allow a few leaders from women organizations to be taken through the program and to pass on the lessons to other women. The training currently has narrowed down from entrepreneurial development to marketing and access to markets training programs. We are looking at digitization of business processes and we are also looking at using ICTs.
Ernest Wasake: Do you have testimonies of businesses that have thrived during the pandemic and what lessons can be learned from them?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: Yes, we have had businesses that have thrived so far. Businesses that have thrived have been able to place themselves into the e-commerce platform. We have a number of ladies who are doing sanitizers and foodstuffs that are currently registered on the Zimba Mart (an online e-commerce platform created by ZimbaWomen) I must say that Zimba Women is one of those women-in-tech initiatives that we think will help and support to take women to the next level, because it is owned by women that can easily understand the dynamics of women and the challenges that women are having. The second group that we work closely with is the Business and Professional Women of Kampala branch who actually access the women groups, identified which is the most appropriate time to be able to help them to sell their products online.
Ernest Wasake: What can be done to increase the level of women entrepreneurship in Uganda?
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: To increase the participation and the overall input from women entrepreneurs in Uganda means that we need to be able to identify the supporters or service providers in specific areas so that women activities and growth activities are not duplicated. I want to talk about the three key things that women face: The first is access to effective networks that allow them to grow within different areas of growth. The second is linkage for growth in terms of the value chain. The third is affordable financing that looks at one’s internal competitiveness.
I know that the Stanbic Bank Incubator Platform is doing quite a bit in terms of getting those value chains together. But I think that if I’m a woman entrepreneur sitting in Busia, where do I go to get that information? And that’s where I think the most important opportunity is – to have a national portal, where every woman can access information where she is able to click networks and be able to access networks that she can work with. And last but not least, is the mentorship for growth – that means that we are looking at women who have excelled within those specific areas, to inspire and lead other women.
Also, I think there’s a missing gap, in terms of specific funds for SME women. If you talk today about the Emyooga(poverty eradication program) which is easily accessible, it requires one to be in a group to access the funds and yet, as an SME you’re not going to join a group. As an SME you need to be identified as a specific business that can walk into any place and is assessed based on your internal competitiveness, the ready market that you have for your product and the support systems that you need to be able to effectively utilize them. So I think those are the key things that we as Uganda Investment Authority are strongly pushing to address through interventions.
Ernest Wasake: What advise have you given to a woman entrepreneur on a personal level to help them grow.
Winnie Lawoko-Olwe: OK. On a personal level, I have supported Vantage Communication and Zimba Women. And this is specifically in terms of growing their business and looking at the environment. Both companies have fantastic products and they met the challenges in terms of setting up processes and procedures to manage the internal environment. And the advice here is: you are the entrepreneur, you know the business, you know what you want out of it. But take yourself back and think of growing this business scalability. Can you scale the business to the level you want working as an individual? And if you can, then it’s going to remain a niche product for a few people. And yet the demand for the product is great. The concept that we went through was one, assess your strengths and concentrate on this strength.
Secondly, look at the operatives. If you are taking this unique project out, you have any unique selling proposition. But in order for this proposition to be delivered, what are the steps you need? Do you need a marketing person? Do you need somebody to actually install, you know the uptake? And do you need somebody to do your finances? If you’re able to look at those critical business steps within the business, then it will help you to identify who internally would be the best person to manage it. If you do not have somebody internally, how would you then be able to take that? And that means you are recruiting. Are you able to price the product? Once you price the product, is it right for the market to be able to take it to the market?
I think from this learning perspective, there are two things that entrepreneurs need to know. As an entrepreneur, you do have a drive. You’ve seen the gap. You know that the market needs it. And that’s very important. But in terms of scalability of your product, in terms of taking your business to the market, you then need to look at those critical procedures, internal procedures that will allow you to take the product to the market. And the product will be the same today, tomorrow and the next day. That means there’s a standard of procedure. It’s a unique selling proposition and it’s a unique product that is going out to the market.
Stanbic Business Incubator yeegasse ne UTB okusomesa obukolero n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonotono (SMEs) eziri mu ttabi ly’eby’obulambuzi ebikwata ku nzirukanya y’eby’enfuna
Ekiwandiiko ekyafulumizibwa
Kampala, Uganda: Museenene 4, 2020. Stanbic Bank Business Incubator etadde omukono ku ndagaano y’okutegeeragana ne Uganda Tourism Board – UTB (Ekitongole ekikwasaganya eby’obulambuzi mu ggwanga) okubeera nga basomesa obukolero n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonotono-SMES ezenyigira mu by’obulambuzi enzirukanya y’eby’enfuna okusobola okukakasa nti zikulaakulana wamu n’okuwangaala.
Enkolagana eno ereesewo omukisa ogw’enjawulo ebitongole bino byombi we binaasinziira okutondawo wamu n’okussa mu nkola enteekateeka eziwerako ku kusomesa n’okuyigiriza abantu enzirukanya y’eby’enfuna mu kutodawo ebitongole, ekinaatuyamba okufuna abasuubuzi ab’enyigira mu by’obulambuzi abalungi ddala.
Okusinziira ku ndagaano eyo, Stanbic Business Incubator ejja kuwaayo ebintu nga; abawi b’amagezi abakugu, abayambako mu bukulembeze, ebikozesebwa mu office wamu n’okutendekebwa eri abo abaagala okutandika wamu ne SMEs ezenyigira mu by’obulambuzi kibayambe okukulaakulanya wamu n’okubeezawo bizinesi zaabwe.
Bwe yabadde ayogera ku mukolo ogw’okussa emikono ku ndagaano eno, akulira Stanbic Business Incubator Mwami Tony Okao Otoa yagambye nti ebbanguliro lino lya kukunganya ssente ezinaakozesebwa mu mirimu gy’okubangula abaagala okutandika wamu ne SMEs ezeenyigira mu by’obulambuzi ezinaaba zisomesebwa.
“Stanbic Business Incubator ejja kuteekawo embeera esobozesa okutondawo enkola y’okukuuma ebiwandiiko nga bakozesa ebyuma bi kalimagezi, enzirukanya ya bizinesi wamu n’enkola eyitibwamu okwekebera eneekozesebwa SMEs n’abantu abalala abaneenyigira mu by’obulambuzi,” bwatyo Mwami Otoa bwe yagambye. Yayongeddeko nti bajja kutegeka emisomo eginaabaamu okuyigira awamu, okugabana abantu ab’enjawulo bye bayiseemu wamu n’okutendeka abapya, SMEs wamu n’abamaze okubangulwa nga basinziira ku bwetaavu. Okutendekebwa kuno kujja kwetooloolera ku buyiiya obupya mu tekinologiya wamu n’engeri gy’osobola okukulaakulanya bizinesi.”
Akulira UTB Muky. Lilly Ajarova yakakasizza nti ekigendererwa mu kino kwe kulaba nti bagenda mu maaso n’okukulaakulanya eby’obulambuzi mu Uganda. “Ekitundu ku mulimu guno kyesigamizibwa ku bwannannyini obwa ssekinnoomu, kino kitufuula okuba nga tukakatibwako ffe nga UTB okusomesa wamu n’okumanyisa abantu ebintu ebiriwo ebiyinza okutuyamba mu kutuukiriza ebiruubirirwa byaffe. Tulindiridde n’essanyu ebintu ebyewuunyisa bye tusuubira okuva mu nkolagana eno,” bwatyo Muky. Ajarova bwe yagambye.
Yannyonnyodde nti nga tuyita mu kwegatta wakati wa UTB ne Stanbic Business Incubator, enkolagana zijja kukolebwa ezinaayamba mu kutondawo wamu n’okubeezawo bisinesi ezenyigira mu by’obulambuzi nga tuyita mu kuzigunjawo, okutendekebwa wamu n’okubunyisa amawulire ageetaagisa. Yayongeddeko nti kino kijja kwongera okulabirira wamu n’okunyweza obwa sseruganda obuliwo kaakano ate n’obunaabaawo mu biseera eby’omumaaso wamu n’emigaso egibulimu.
“Bw’otunuulira embeera eriwo kati n’engeri nnawookeera wa Covid-19 gy’akosezzaamu eby’obulambuzi mu Uganda n’ebitundu ebirala, enkolagana eno esuubirwa okuyamba ennyo bizinesi eziri mu ttabi lino okugunjaawo enkola empya ezinaayamba okutwala eby’obulambuzi mu maaso,” bwatyo Muky Ajarova bwe yayongeddeko.
Yakinogaanyizza nti endagaano eno egenda kufuuka eky’okulabirako eri ebitongole ebirala nabyo ebisuubirwa okutandikawo enkolagana ezenjawulo. Yannyonnyodde nti guno gugenda kuba omumuli ogunaddamu okumulisa eggwanga naddala mu kiseera ekinajja oluvannyuma lwa nnawookeera wa ssennyiga omukambwe.
Ebikwata ku Stanbic Business Incubator
Stanbic Business Incubator kitongole kya bwannannyini ekyakkirizibwa mu mateeka ga Uganda era nga kyawandiisibwa ku nnamba 8002000141657 nga ne ofiisi yabwe eri ku kibanja nnamba 5 Kololo Lower Terrace. P.O.Box 7131, Kampala Uganda.
Stanbic Business Incubator yatandikawo mu 2018 ng’enkola Stanbic Bank gye yagunjawo okuyamba wamu n’okuteekateeka SMEs nga zeetegekera okuyingira olwokaano lw’okuddukanya emirimu. Ebbanguliro lino lyakatendeka obukolero obutonotono obusoba mu 660 ate n’abantu abasoba mu 1,746.
Bino wammanga bye bimu ku ebyo Business Incubator by’eyigiriza abantu
- Okutondawo bizinesi
- Okutendeka wamu n’okulabirira ebiba bikolebwa
- Okuteekawo ensinsinkano wakati w’abantu ab’enjawulo, okukubaganya ebirowoozo okwawamu era n’okutuukirira ba kafulu mu bintu eby’enjawulo.
- Okusomesa wamu n’okulungamya abasuubuzi oluvannyuma lw’okutendekebwa
- Batondawo amakubo agayitibwamu okufuna obutale wamu n’ensimbi
Okumanya ebisingawo, batuukirire ku – incubator@stanbic.com
Ebikwata ku Uganda Tourism Board
Uganda Tourism Board kitongole kya gavument ekiri wansi w’etteeka ly’eby’obulambuzi 2008 nga kyaweebwa obuvunaanyizibwa bw’okutumbula Uganda ng’ekifo ky’eby’obulambuzi eri bannansi wamu n’abagwira; kikakatibwako okulabirira eby’obulambuzi mu ggwanga.
Stanbic Business Incubator partners with UTB to offer financial literacy to SMEs in the tourism sector
Press Release
Kampala, Uganda: November 4th, 2020. The Stanbic Business Incubator has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to provide financial literacy support to Start-ups and SMEs in the tourism sector to ensure development and sustainability of the businesses.
This partnership brings a unique platform for both entities to jointly develop and implement a series of financial literacy programmes on enterprise development and national content to produce competent, financially solid and skilled entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.
According to the MoU, the Stanbic Business Incubator will provide resources such as expert advisors, mentors, administrative support, office equipment and training for Start-ups and SMEs in the tourism sector and contribute to the development and sustainability of their businesses.
Speaking at the MoU signing, the Stanbic Business Incubator Executive Director Mr. Tony Okao Otoa said the incubator will mobilize the funds to facilitate incubation activities, for start-ups and SMEs on the tourism business incubation programmes.
“The Stanbic Business Incubator will provide an enabling environment for the development of ICT-based solutions for record keeping, business management and performance testing on tourism businesses for wider use and application by SMEs and actors in Tourism,” Mr. Otoa said, adding that “We shall organize and facilitate a joint learning, experience sharing and training sessions for start-ups, SMEs and incubates based on enterprise needs. The training shall be centered to technological innovation, enterprise and business development.”
The UTB Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Lilly Ajarova, emphasized that the goal is to continuously develop and grow the tourism industry of Uganda. “Part of this effort is dependent on our private sector, making it imperative that we at UTB create awareness for the available tools that can help in achieving our mutual objectives. We greatly look forward to the amazing things to come out of this partnership,” Ms. Ajarova said.
She explained that through the UTB and Stanbic Business Incubator partnership, collaborations will be formed that will go a long way in contributing to the development and sustainability of the businesses in the Tourism sector through enterprise development, training and information dissemination. This, she added, will further nurture and cement all mutual present and future relationships and benefits.
“Given the current times and the immense impact on the Covid-19 pandemic on the Tourism sector in Uganda and beyond, this relationship is well placed to help businesses in the sector create new and existing methods to collectively re-start and drive tourism forward,” Ms. Ajarova added.
She observed that the MOU is set to create a strong platform for cooperation and cross-cutting partnerships between entities in different sectors. This, she explained, is bound to help light the spark that will re-ignite the nation, especially in the post COVD-19 era.
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About Stanbic Business Incubator Limited
The Stanbic Business Incubator is a private company duly incorporated under the Laws of the Republic of Uganda with registration number 80020001471657 whose registered office is at Plot 5 Kololo lower terrace P.O. Box 7131, Kampala, Uganda.
The Stanbic Business Incubator started in 2018 as an initiative of Stanbic Bank to support and nurture SMEs to prepare for and harness business and growth opportunities. The Incubator has so far trained over 660 Small and Medium Enterprise and 1,746 entrepreneurs.
The Business Incubator provides an enabling environment for entrepreneurs through the following programmes:
- Business Development Services.
- Training and follow-up support interventions.
- Networking Events focus group discussions and access to subject matter experts.
- Mentoring and coaching of entrepreneurs after formal training
- Provide avenues for accessing markets and sourcing of funds
For more information contact – incubator@stanbic.com
About Uganda Tourism Board
The Uganda Tourism Board is a Government institution mandated under the Uganda Tourism Act, 2008 to promote Uganda as a preferred destination for both domestic and foreign tourists; enforce and monitor standards in the tourism sector.
Engeri SHONA gy’eyambamu zi bizinesi mu buvanjuba bwa Africa okuyita mu nnawookeera wa covid 19
Omukutu gwa COVID-19 Business Info Hub gwayogerako ne SHONA nga kino kitongole ekiyambako abasuubuzi okubayigiriza engeri gye bayinza okukulaakulanyamu emirimu gyabwe mu buvanjuba bwa Africa, okusobola okutegeera engeri gye kiyambamu eby’obusuubuzi mu kitundu.
Bino bye weetaaga okumanya:
SHONA kitongole ekiyamba okuwa amagezi wamu n’okutendekebwa okusobozesa amakolero wamu n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonotono okukulaakulana mu by’ennyingiza y’esimbi okusobola okukola amagoba. Ekigendererwa kyabwe ekikulu kwe kulaba nga bazimba eby’obusuubuzi obwa ssekinnoomu mu buvanjuba bwa Africa ebyegombesa.
SHONA ennyonnyola nti emirimu gino gigasiza wamu abantu mu bitundu mwe gikolerwa omuli abaguzi, abakozi, ba nnyini gyo, abayambako mu nzirukanya yagyo n’ekitundu kyonna okutwalira awamu.
Okuva mu 2014, SHONA ekoze ne zi bizinesi ezisoba mu kyenda mu ssatu (93) era ne basobodde okutondawo emirimu egisoba mu 1,700 wamu n’okukungaanya ensimbi eziwera obukadde 33 obwa ddoola (eza Uganda ezisoba mu buwumbi 123.1) eza “kapito”, baweerezza abaguzi abasoba mu 470,000 wamu n’okuwayo omusolo ogusukka mu bukadde bwa ddoola 10 eri eby’enfuna by’obuvanja bwa Africa.
Wetwogerera kati, SHONA ezze etegeka emisomo egy’enjawulo ng’esinziira ku bwetaavu okusobozesa abasuubuzi okuvvuunuka emirerembe egyaleetebwa Covid-19. Egisinze okwettanirwa mulimu enzirukanya y’eby’enfuna, okunoonyeza akatale ku mutimbagano wamu n’engeri y’okutumbula omuwendo gw’ebintu ebitundibwa. Omuntu asobola okwetaba mu misomo gino ku kasente akatono ennyo nga n’oluusi giba gya bwereere.
Mu kiseera kino, omusomo oguyigiriza enzirukanya y’eby’enfuna gusomesebwa ku bwereere, engeri y’okunoonyeza akatale ku mutimbagano gwa UGX 100,000, oguyigiriza engeri y’okutumbulamu omuwendo gw’ebitundibwa gwa 200,000 ate nga bagaba ne sikaala eri bizinesi ezimu.
Ng’oggyeko okutegeka emisomo, SHONA era erambika bulungi emikisa egiriwo abasuubuzi mwe basobola okuyita okusobola okufuna ensimbi ezikozesebwa. Obwetaavu bwa ssente kye kimu ku bintu ebisinga okussibwako essira mu bizinesi ate bwe kyatuuse mu kiseera kya nnawookeera wa COVID-19 kyayitiridde, na bwekityo olukalala lw’ebintu ebiyinza okukozesebwa weeruli era luzzibwa buggya buli kiseera.
Olwokuba bategeera ebizibu amakolera n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonono bye bayitamu n’engeri gye byeyongedde mu kiseera kya nnawookeera, SHONA ekubiriza zi bizinensi okufaayo ennyo okukuuma abakozi baazo, okutegeera ebizibu bye zoolekedde wamu n’okufaayo ku ngeri gye bakwasaganya emiziziko mu nnyingiza y’ensimbi mu kiseera kino. SHONA era ewa amagezi ku bintu by’oyinza okukola okusobola okuzza obuggya bizinesi yo embagirawo.
Okumanya ebisingawo, weereza email ku: dopio@shona.co
Okubatuukirira
Basangibwa ku Plot 8, Suna II Road, Ntinda, Kampala
Essimu: +256791052406
Email: dopio@shona.co
How SHONA is supporting businesses in East Africa to weather the pandemic
The COVID-19 Business Info Hub spoke with SHONA, an East African Business Development Services company, to understand how they are supporting businesses in the region. Here is what you need to know:
SHONA provides business advisory services and training to help SMEs grow revenues and become profitable. Their goal is to build a thriving East African private sector driven by good businesses. SHONA defines these businesses as those that positively benefit society, including customers, employees, owners, value-chain partners and the community in which they are based. Since 2014, SHONA has worked with over ninety three businesses that together have created over 1,700 jobs, raised $33 million (over 123.1 billion Uganda shillings) in capital, served more than 470,000 customers, and contributed over $10 million in taxes to East African economies.
To date, SHONA has run multiple courses on a demand basis to support businesses to survive and recover from the impact of Covid-19. The most popular include Financial Management (Cash Management Cycle, Managing Cash Flows & an Intro to Funding), Digital Marketing (Growing online clientele), and Boosting Sales (Recovering revenue lost because of Covid-19). There are opportunities to participate at low or no cost. The Financial Management course is currently being offered for free, Digital Marketing is offered at a cost of UGX 100,000, and Boosting Sales is available at a cost of UGX 200,000 with the option of a free scholarship to select businesses.
In addition to its course offerings, SHONA has also curated a list of funding opportunities available for entrepreneurs. The need for cash for liquidity has always been high up on the priority list for businesses, and this need has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. A list of resources, which is updated continuously, is available HERE.
Understanding the existing struggles faced by SMEs and how these have been exacerbated by the pandemic, SHONA urges businesses to focus on protecting employees, understanding business risks, and managing cash flow disruptions during this time. SHONA offers resources on business continuity and managing your cash in a crisis and rebuilding and reviving your business after a crisis. SHONA also provides tailored advisory services supporting businesses in developing business recovery strategies and plans that can be immediately operationalized. For more information, email: dopio@shona.co
How to get in touch
Address: Plot 8, Suna II Road, Ntinda, Kampala.
Tel: +256791052406
Email: dopio@shona.co
Ekitongole ki African Resilience Initiative for Entrepreneurs kiyamba ku bakyala abasuubuzi.
Ekitongole kya African Resilience Initiative for Entrepreneurs (ARIE) nga kino kiyamba ku basuubuzi okusigala nga bagumu mu mbeera yonna; mu kaseera kano kiri mu kufuba okulaba nga kiyamba abasuubuzi nga kiyita mu nkola ey’okubawola amabanja agataliiko magoba era nga essira basinze kuliteeka ku bakyala.
ARIE kye ki?
ARIE kitongole kya Bafirika era nga kyewaddeyo okubeera nga kiyamba abasuubuzi Abafirika 300 – 70% bajja kuba bakyala – nga kibawa obuyambi mu by’ensimbi wamu n’amagezi g’ekikugu nga kw’otadde n’okubeera omukutu abasuubuzi mwe banaayita okusobola okukwatagana ne ba musiga nsimbi.
Enkola eno yatandikibwawo aba Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESPartners) nga bakolaganira wamu ne US African Development Foundation (USADF), oluvannyuma lw’okukizuula nti abakyala abasuubuzi ekirwadde kya Covid-19 kibakosezza bya nsusso. Okusoomoozebwa kwe batera okusisinkana mu mbeera ya bulijjo omuli eby’ensimbi, amagezi g’ekikugu, obutale wamu n’amawulire agakwata ku bintu eby’enjawulo kweyongeredde ddala olw’akatuubagiro akaliwo era nga beetaaga obuyambi obw’enjawulo okusobola okuzza obuggya emirimu gyabwe olw’ekirwadde.
Amakolero n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonotono (SMES) birinawo emikisa gya nnabaki?
ARIE egenda kuyamba abasuubuzi okuva mu mawanga musanvu (Uganda, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda ne Senegal) era ng’egenda kuyamba abo abali mu busuubuzi bw’ebirime, ab’amakolero, amasannyalaze n’ebisobola okuzzibwa obuggya wamu n’abakola obuweereza obw’omugaso eri obulamu.
SMEs ezinaaba zirondeddwawo zijja kuba n’omukisa ogw’okufuna ssente eziwera 150,000 USD (Shs. 540,000,000) buli emu. Ssente zino zijja kubaweebwa ng’ebbanja okutali magoba okusobola okukakasa nti ebasuubuzi balina ssente eziddukanya emirimu gyabwe egya bulijjo wamu n’okwekuumira ku mutindo newankubadde ng’ekirwadde weekiri.
ARIE buli musuubuzi ejja kumuwa omuwi w’amagezi okusobola okubayamba okwekenneenya wamu n’okuddamu okulowooza ku ngeri gye baddukanyamu emirimu basobole okukakasa nti gitambula bulungi. Bajja kuba nga basobola okutuukirira abakugu abanaabayambako okumanyiira wamu n’okuyita mu mbeera y’eby’enfuna gye tulimu kati.
Ekisembayo, ARIE gugenda kuba nga gwe mukutu SMEs mwe zinaayita okufuna emikisa gyonna eginaatondebwawo oluvannyuma lw’okuteekawo eby’obusuubuzi eby’awamu okwetooloola ssemazinga wa Africa yenna – (African Continental Free Trade Area)
Egenda kuyunga SMEs mu Africa ku ba musiga nsimbi wamu n’okubatonderawo emikutu mwe banaayita okugaziya emirimu gyabwe kibongere embavu ez’okusuubula nga bayita ku buli nsalo.
Omukutu gwa ARIE gugenda kubeera nga lye kkunganyizo ly’ebintu ebyenjawulo nga muno muzingiramu okufuna obutale, okwezimba ng’abantu wamu n’okwekuumira ku mutindo.
Nteekayo ntya okusaba kwange?
Okusaba kugenda kubeerawo okuva nga 24 Muwakanya (August) okutuuka nga 25 Mutunda (September) 2020, SMEs ezikyagadde zisobola okukyalira omukutu https://bit.ly/ARIE2020 okuteekayo okusaba kwazo.
Okumanya ebisingawo, tuukirira
Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESPartners)
Website: www.espartners.co
Email: info@espartners.co or arie@espartners.co
Essimu: +225 224 142 49
African Resilience Initiative for Entrepreneurs offers support for women entrepreneurs
The African Resilience Initiative for Entrepreneurs (ARIE) is currently working to support businesses through a zero-interest loan program with a strong focus on women entrepreneurs.
What is ARIE?
ARIE is a Pan-African initiative committed to supporting 300 African entrepreneurs – 70% of whom will be women – by providing financial and technical assistance as well as a platform for networking that aims to connect entrepreneurs to potential investors. The initiative was started by Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESPartners) in partnership with the US African Development Foundation (USADF), recognizing that women entrepreneurs have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges they normally face in access to finance, skills building support, markets, and information have been exacerbated by the crisis, and they need additional support to reinvent their businesses following the pandemic.
What specific opportunities are available for SMEs?
ARIE will support entrepreneurs from seven countries (Uganda, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Senegal) and from among the agri-business, manufacturing, energy and renewables, and essential services sectors. Selected SMEs will have the opportunity to receive up to 150,000 USD (Shs 540,000,000) per firm. The funds will be disbursed as an interest-free loan to ensure businesses have the working capital they need to maintain operations and scale despite the pandemic.
ARIE will assign each entrepreneur to a business advisor that will support them in diagnosing and rethinking their strategy and operational efficiencies. They will then have access to a team of experts that will help them adapt to and navigate the present economic reality.
Finally, the ARIE platform will help SMEs harness opportunities unleashed by the establishment of an African Continental Free Trade Area. It will connect African SMEs to potential investors and the networks they require to expand their geographical coverage, thus enhancing their capacity to trade across borders. The ARIE platform will also be a repository on a wide range of topics, including access to markets, building human capacity, and scaling.
How do I apply?
Applications will be available from 24th August through 25th September 2020. Interested SMEs should visit https://bit.ly/ARIE2020 to apply.
For more information, contact:
Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESPartners)
Website: www.espartners.co
Email: info@espartners.co or arie@espartners.co
Tel: +225 224 142 49
Abavubuka wamu n'amakolero amatonotono (SMEs) baganyuddwa mu nkola y'ekitongole ekigatta bannamakolero mu ggwanga (Uganda Manufacturers Association) ey'okubayigiriza obukugu mu bintu eby'enjawulo
Omukutu gwa Covid-19 Business Info Hub gwayogerako ne Gilbert Kibekityo ng’ono avunaanyizibwa ku nkola ey’okuyigiriza abavubuka obukugu mu bintu eby’enjawulo ng’eno yateekebwawo ekitongole ekigatta bannamakolero ekya Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) okusobola okweyongera okutegeera ebikwata ku nkola eno wamu n’okumanya engeri gy’egasaamu abavubuka wamu n’amakolero amatonotono.
Ebbula ly’emirimu mu Uganda liri ku bitundu 9.2% ate nga mu bavubuka abali wakati w’emyaka 18 – 30, ebitundu 13.3% be balera engalo. Nga beesigama ku mbeera eyo, UMA yagunjaawo enkola ey’okuyigiriza abavubuka obukugu mu bintu eby’enjawulo okubasobozesa okufuna emirimu wano mu ggwanga wamu ne mu mawanga ag’ebweru.
Nga bayita mu nkola eno, UMA esobodde okutendeka abayizi abawerera ddala 5,502 (64.04% balenzi ate 38.96% bawala), ku bano, abayizi 3,445 baamala okuteekebwa mu bitongole eby’enjawulo okwongera okutendekebwa nga n’ebintu bwe babiraba wamu n’okubikwatirako ddala.
Abayizi bano baalondebwa era ne basembebwa zi ssettendekero (University) mwenda era nga bassibwa mu bitongole eby’enjawulo okumala ebbanga lya myezi 3 okutuuka ku myezi 6. Ebitundu 92% ku bitongole ebyenyigira mu nkola eno bikakasa nti abavubuka abatendekeddwa baba balungi ku mirimu bw’ogeraageranya n’abalala.
Kutendekebwa kwa nnabaki okubeera mu nkola eno?
Enkola eno ewa abavubuka okutendekebwa mu bintu ebiringa ebyangungu omuli okuwandiika alipoota, eby’empuliziganya, okukolera awamu, okugonjoola ebizibu, obukujjukujju wamu n’obuyiiya, obukugu mu kutandikawo emirimu, eby’obulamu n’okwekuuma nga kw’otadde n’obukugu mu kuteekateeka ebintu eby’enjawulo.
Abayizi bano oluvannyuma batwalibwa mu makolero ag’enjawulo okwongera okutendekebwa wamu n’okuyigirizibwa obukugu ng’ebintu babikwatirako ddala omuli enkozesa y’ebyuma bi kalimagezi, eby’obulimu , n’ebirala.
Okutendekebwa kuno kukolebwa ku zi ssettendekero omuli, Kyambogo University(KYU), Makerere University (MUK), Busitema University (BU), Gulu University (GU), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Lira University (LU), Muni University (MU), Uganda Management Institute (UMI) wamu ne Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
Abavubuka bakola batya okwewandiisa mu nkola eno?
Abayizi abaakatikkirwa okuva mu zi ssettendekero ezo omwenda ezimenyeddwa waggulu wamu n’abo abali mu mwaka gwabwe ogusembayo bakubirizibwa okusaba okwegatta mu nkola eno nga bayita eri omukwanaganya w’emirimu ku ssettendekero yaabwe. Oluvannyuma bajja kuweebwa empapula ezibakkiriza okuva mu UMA era nga mu kaseera kano we bajja okufunira endagiriro y’okumutimbagano we banaayita okwegatta ku nkola eno.
Okutendebwa kukolebwa ku zi ssettendekero zaabwe era oluvannyuma abavubuka UMA n’egenda ng’ebagaba mu bitongole eby’enjawulo by’ekolagana nabyo ng’esinziira ku buli omu kye yasoma wamu n’obukugu bw’aba afunye mu kutendekebwa. Bw’emala okubagaba, UMA efaayo okulondoola abayizi bano okusobola okwetegereza engeri gye batambuzaamu emirimu.
SMEs zisobola zitya okukwatagana n’abavubuka bano mu ngeri y’okugezesebwa oba okufuna abo abamaze okutikkirwa be bandyagadde okuwa emirimu?
SMES ezirina obwetaavu ziba zirina okukolagana ne UMA butereevu nga ziyita ku ndagiririo eyo wammanga, ekitongole kiba kirina okunnyonnyola ekika ky’obukugu kye beetaaga awo UMA n’eronda mu bayizi abaatendekebwa era n’ebaweereza ebitongole bino okusinziira ku bwetaavu bwabyo.
Abavubuka abaagadde enkola eno basobola okutuukirira UMA ku ndagiriro eno;
Uganda Manufacturers Association
P.O Box 6966, Lugogo Show Grounds, Kampala
Essimu: +256 414 221 034/287615
Website: www.uma.or.ug or Project Website: www.intership.uma.or.ug
The COVID-19 Business Info Hub spoke with Gilbert Kibekityo of the Uganda Manufacturers Association’s (UMA) Skilling Program to understand more about the program and how both youth and SMEs can benefit.
Uganda’s national unemployment rate stands at 9.2% with the youth unemployment rate those aged 18-30 years standing at 13.3%. The skilling program was designed by UMA to equip youth with skillsets for both national and international employment.
Under the program, UMA has managed to train a total of 5,502 students (64.04% male and 38.96% female), of which a total of 3,445 were placed in different companies for practical skills acquisition. These interns were selected and recommended by nine universities and receive company placement for a period of between 3 and 6 months. 92% of companies involved in the program confirmed that the youth trained under this program are more employable compared to others.
What kind of training does the program offer?
The program provides an induction training for soft skills like report writing, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, creativity and innovation, entrepreneurship development, occupational health and safety, and organization skills. Trainees are later placed into industry for technical and hands on skills acquisition in IT, engineering, agriculture, or other fields. Training sessions are carried out at universities, which include Kyambogo University (KYU), Makerere University (Mak), Busitema University (BU), Gulu University (GU), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Lira University (LU), Muni University (MU), Uganda Management Institute (UMI), and Makerere University Business School (MUBS).
How can youth enroll in the program?
Recent graduates from the nine universities mentioned above or students in their final year are encouraged to apply for the program through the liaison officer at the universities. After that, they may obtain nomination forms from UMA, at which point they will be provided with login credentials to log in to the web portal.
Training takes place at the individual universities, after which youth are placed by the UMA placement team in the respective partner companies depending on the courses they studied and the skills acquired during the program. After placement, UMA conducts on the ground monitoring to understand the progress trainees.
How can SMEs engage these youth for internships or access graduates they may be interested in hiring long-term?
Interested SMEs should engage UMA directly via the contact information below, after which companies will send information about the skillsets they are looking for. UMA selects candidates from their database of inducted interns and sends to these companies accordingly.
Contact information for interested youth
Uganda Manufacturers Association
P.O Box 6966, Lugogo Show Grounds, Kampala
Tel: +256 414 221 034/287615
Website: www.uma.or.ug or Project Website: www.intership.uma.or.ug
Gavumenti erangiridde enteekateeka z’okudduukirira abantu mu by’enfuna oluvannyuma lwa ssennyiga omukambwe ng’eyita mu Bbanka y’ebyenkulaakulana (Uganda Development Bank – UDB)
Ng’ekitundu ku nteekateeka z’okukakasa nti eby’enfuna by’eggwanga bibbulukuka okuva mu nnawookeera wa ssennyiga omukambwe, omukulembeze w’eggwanga yatadde akawumbi 1.045 UGX mu bbanka y’eby’enkulaakulana (UDB) n’ekigendererwa eky’okuwola abantu abalina obwetaavu amabanja ku magoba amatonotono. Muno muzingiramu ab’eby’amakolero, eby’obulimi, n’abasuubuzi ssekinnoomu kibasobozese okukola ebyetaago by’obulamu wamu n’ebyamaguzi ebisobola okudda mu kifo ky’ebyo ebyali bireetebwa okuva ebweru w’eggwanga nga kwotadde n’okutumbula ebyo ebitundibwa ebweru w’eggwanga.
Uganda Development Bank kitongole kya gavumenti ekyaweebwa obuvunaanyizibwa bw’okuteeka ssente mu by’obusuubuzi ebigwa mu matabi g’eby’enkulaakulana ag’enkizo. Bino bye weetaaga okumanya ku nteekateeka eno.
Bintu bya kika ki era buweereza nnabaki UDB bw’egenda okuwa abantu?
UDB egaba obuweereza obw’eby’ensimbi wamu n’obwo obutali bwa nsimbi; muno mulimu okuwola amabanja agaliko emisingo egy’ebintu ebikalu, okugula emigabo mu bitongole eby’enjawulo, okubiteekamu ssente wamu n’okuwola ebibiina by’abalimi. Ate ku luuyi olulala, obuweereza obutali bwa bya nsimbi UDB bw’egaba mulimu okuwa abantu amagezi mu by’obusuubuzi wamu n’okubayambako mu kuteekateeka zi pulojekiti.
Makolero ga nnabaki agagenda okusooka okuweebwa omukisa gw’okuteekebwamu ssente za UDB?
- Amakolero ag’eby’okulya n’eby’okunywa, ag’engoye, amaliba, agakuba ebintu ku mpapula, abakola ebikozesebwa mu kupakira wamu n’okusabika ebyamaguzi, embaawo, ebibajje, ebizimbisibwa, eddagala ery’abantu n’ery’ebisolo wamu n’eby’amasannyalaze.
- Ebikozesebwa mu malwaliro nga muno muzingiramu ebyuma wamu n’eby’okwekuumisa ebirala.
- Abakola ebyetaago wamu n’obuweereza obw’omugaso mu bulamu nga muno mulimu n’eby’obulimi.
Amakolero amalala gajja kuweebwa omukisa okusinziira ku kkolero ssekinnoomu nga bwe linaaba lifaanana.
Pulojekiti za nnabaki ezigwanidde okuteekwamu ssente za UDB?
UDB yeesigamizza enkola wamu n’emirimu gyayo ku nteekateeka ya gavumenti ku by’enkulaakulana era ng’essira balitadde ku matabi g’eby’enkulaakulana ag’enkizo omuli eby’obulimi n’obulunzi, okwongera omutindo ku birime wamu ne ku makolero agakola ebyetaago n’obuweereza obw’omugaso mu bulamu nga kw’otadde n’okutumbula ebitundibwa ebweru w’eggwanga.
Ssente zijja kuweebwa abo abeetaaga okufuna ebiteekebwa mu malimiro, okufuna ebyuma ebikozesebwa, ennima ey’omulembe, ebika by’ensolo wamu n’ebirime ebirungi, amakungula wamu n’engeri ennungi ey’okukwatamu ebiba bikunguddwa.
Ssente ez’okuteekebwa mu kwongera omutindo ku birime zigenda kukozesebwa mu kugula ebyuma, okuzimba amaterekero amanene wamu ne ssente ezikozesebwa ku kuddukanya emirimu gya bulijjo.
Mateeka ki agalina okugobererwa?
Gano ge mateeka agagenda okugobererwa abanaaweebwa ssente za UDB
- Ebbanja ettono ennyo lijja kuba lya bukadde 100 UGX ate eddene ennyo lijja kusinziira ku kkomo lya bbanka ssekinnoomu.
- Okusasula amagoba ga bitundu 12% buli mwaka era amabanja gajja kubeera mu ssente za Uganda.
- Ebbanja lisobola okumala ekiseera kya myaka egiwerera ddala 15 be ddu.
- Osobola okuweebwa akalembereza okutuuka ku myaka esatu (3)
Mitendera ki omuntu gy’alina okutuukiriza okusobola okuweebwa ssente?
Okusobola okuweebwa omukisa, bizinesi erina okuba ng’egwa mu limu ku matabi agaanokoddwayo waggulu, nga yawandiisibwa mu Uganda ate nga ya banna Uganda. Pulojekiti endala ziyinza okuweebwa omukisa ssinga ziba zirina enkizo mu kukulaakulanya eby’enfuna by’eggwanga wadde nga tezigwa mu kkowe eryo waggulu.
Ekirala, omusingo oba okuwaayo omugabo kuyinza okwetaagisa okusinziira ku pulojekiti ez’enjawulo wamu n’obuzibu bwe ziyinza okusisinkana. Bizinesi zisobola okuba nga zitandika butandisi naye nga zirina obusobozi bw’okuteekawo enjawulo mu by’enkulaakula oba ezo ezibaddewo naye nga zandyagadde okugaziwa.
Bannannyini bizinesi bateekeddwa okulaga nti pulojekiti gye basabirako ssente esobola okuyimirirawo era bateekeddwa n’okulaga emirimu gyabwe engeri gye giyambamu oba okukosa embeera z’abantu wamu n’eby’enfuna byabye. Wasobola okuteekebwawo obukwakkulizo obulala bwonna nga bwe kiyinza okwetaagisa.
Amateeka gonna n’ebiwandiiko ebyetaagisa bisangibwa ku mukutu guno: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScver8O_hfPNGrSCKGpFGzbv6np8WFUgfBEY7_apqUvzp3VuQ/viewform.
Osobola okuteekayo okusaba kwo ng’oyita ku mutimbagano oba okufuna empapula okuva ku Ofiisi yaabwe enkulu ku Rwenzori Towers oba ku ttabi lya Post Bank lyonna erikuliraanye. Okusobola okukakasa obusobozi bwo, oyinza okusabibwa ebiwandiiko ebirala wamu n’okubuuzibwa ebibuuzo ebyenjawulo.
Endagiriro;
Uganda Development Bank (UDB)
Plot 6 Nakasero Road, 1st Floor, Wing B, Rwenzori Towers
P.O BOX 7210, Kampala, Uganda
Essimu: 0414355509/0414355550
Website: www.udbl.co.ug
Email: clientrelations@udbl.co.ug.
As part of the strategy to ensure that the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of Uganda allocated UGX 1.045 Billion to Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to offer low-interest financing to manufacturing, agribusiness, and other private sector firms to support the production of essential goods and goods for import substitution and export promotion. Uganda Development Bank is a government-owned institution with a mandate to finance enterprises in key growth sectors of the economy. Here is what you need to know about the financing program.
What products and services will UDB offer?
UDB offers financial and non-financial products and services, including asset financing, equity investment, short- and long-term financing, and farmer group lending models. Non-financial services include business advisory services and project preparation.
What are the key priority industries that will be considered for financing by UDB?
- Food & beverages, textile clothing, hides and skins, paper printing, packaging and publishing & wrapping materials, timber, wood works& furniture manufacturing, construction material, pharmaceutical, human/animal drugs, and electrical
- Medical equipment and products including machinery, ventilators, personal protective equipment/PPE
- Production of essential goods and services including agricultural production
Other industries will be considered on a case by case basis.
What kinds of projects are eligible for financing by UDB?
UDB has aligned its operations with the National Development Plan, with specific interventions in key major sectors including agriculture, agro-Industrialization/agro-processing, and manufacturing aimed at the production of essential goods and services for export promotion. Funding will go towards acquisition of farm inputs, acquisition of farm mechanized equipment, improving farming methods, breeds, crop, livestock and harvest and post-harvest handling management. Agro-processing funding will cater to purchase of agro-processing equipment for value addition, construction of warehouses, plants and machinery, and working capital financing.
What are the terms?
Financing will be offered with the following terms:
- Loan minimum of UGX 100 million with the maximum dependent upon the bank’s limit
- An interest rate of 12% per annum for borrowing in UGX
- Loan term of up to 15 years
- Grace period of up to 3 years
What are the criteria to qualify for financing?
To qualify, a business must operate within the sectors listed above, be registered in Uganda, and be owned by Ugandans. Exceptions may be considered for strategic projects that have a developmental impact on the economy. In addition, collateral and/or an equity contribution by the owner may be required, depending on the specific project and associated risk. Businesses can be either startups with a high potential for development impact or existing businesses seeking expansion. Owners must demonstrate the feasibility of the business and project for which financing is being requested. Businesses should also demonstrate social-economic and viability. Other criteria may apply.
All terms and required documents are available here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScver8O_hfPNGrSCKGpFGzbv6np8WFUgfBEY7_apqUvzp3VuQ/viewform.Applications may be downloaded and submitted online, or hard copies may be obtained at UDB’s Head Office at Rwenzori Towers or any post bank branch near you. More documentation or follow-up questions may be asked of you as part of the appraisal process.
Contact Information
Uganda Development Bank (UDB)
Plot 6 Nakasero Road, 1st Floor, Wing B, Rwenzori Towers
P.O BOX 7210, Kampala, Uganda
Telephone: 0414355509/0414355550
Website: www.udbl.co.ug
Email: clientrelations@udbl.co.ug.
Engeri ekibiina ki TradeMark East Africa gye kitumbulamu eby’obusuubuzi mu ngeri etalina bulabe wamu n’okuwagira abakyala abenyigira mu by’obusuubuzi ebirimu okusala ensalo.
Omukutu gwa Covid-19 Business Info Hub guzudde amawulire ku nteekateeka ezikolebwa okusobozesa eby’obusuubuzi okusigala nga bigenda mu maaso mu buvanjuba bwa Africa; wadde nga bikoseddwa bya nsusso ekirwadde kya Covid. Bino bye weetaaga okumanya kw’ebyo TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) by’ekola.
Ebikwata ku TradeMark East Africa n’enteekateeka yaabwe ey’eby’obusuubuzi ebitaliimu bulabe (Safe Trade program)
Gavumenti z’omukitundu ky’obuvanjuba bwa Africa zaafunamu okutya oluvannyuma lw’okukizuula nti eby’obusuubuzi mu kitundu biserebye nnyo era abantu bangi bafiiriddwa emirimu olw’ekirwadde kya ssennyiga omukambwe. Bwe zityo zaasalawo okuyiiya engeri ez’enjawulo okusobola okukakasa nti eby’obusuubuzi okuyita mu mikutu gy’entambula emikulu bisigala bitambula mu ngeri etalina bulabe.
TMEA yateekawo obukadde 20 obwa doola za America (UGX. Obuwumbi 72) mu nkola ey’obudduukirize obw’embagirawo mu by’obusuubuzi – Safe Trade Emergency Facility (STEF) okusobola okuyambako gavumenti zino okukakasa nti eby’entambula n’amakubo g’eby’obusuubuzi biddukanyizibwa mu ngeri ey’obwegendereza obw’ekitalo kibisobozese okusigala nga bigenda mu maaso olwo abantu basobole okufuna ekigulira magala eddiba.
Enteekateeka eno egenda kuyamba eby’obusuubuzi okusigala nga bitambula mu ngeri etalina bulabe wamu n’okukuuma obulamu bw’abasuubuzi, abavunaanyizibwa ku by’obusuubuzi n’abakola mu by’entambula. Enteekateeka eno egattira wamu ebintu byonna ebikolebwa okutwala mu maaso eby’enfuna, okukakasa nti abantu balina emmere, okutebenkeza obulamu bw’abantu obwa bulijjo, emirimi wamu n’okubbulula eby’enfuna
Bintu ki Safe Trade Emergency Facility by’esinze okuteekako essira? Biki bye nnyini ebigenda okuteekebwa mu nkola?
STEF essira eritadde mu kukakasa nti emyalo, ensalo z’amawanga wamu n’amakubo agayitibwamu okusaasaanya eby’amaguzi tebirina bulabe bwonna eri abasuubuzi. Kino ekikoze ng’eyita mu kuteekawo eby’okwekuumisa ebimala, ebifo awakuumira abo abaawuliddwa ku balala (kalantini) okuteeka offisi z’eby’obulamu ku nsalo ez’enkizo, wamu n’okussaawo enkola y’okulondoola eby’amaguzi mu kitundu (Regional Cargo Tracking System – RECTS) okusobola okulondoola emmotoka zi ‘Tuleera’ eziba zitekenneenyezeddwa.
Mu nteekateeka eno era bafaayo nnyo okulaba ng’abantu balina emmere, basobola okufuna eddagala eryetaagisa nga kino kikoleddwa nga batandisewo enkola y’okukebera era n’okuyisaawo eby’amaguzi amangu wamu n’okutumbula eby’obuyonjo mu basuubuzi ba nneekolera gyange.
Waliwo ebintu ebirala bingi ebijja okussibwa mu nkola okusobola okukendeeza ku kufiirwa emirimu n’okutumbula ebitundibwa ebweru w’eggwanga; bino bizingiramu; okukolagana n’ebibiina by’abasuubuzi ebirala okusobola okuyamba amakolero n’eby’obusuubuzi ebitonono (SMEs) okuddamu okwezimba nate, okukolera awamu n’ebibiina ebirumirirwa embeera z’abantu (humanitarian organizations) okusobola okuyamba abantu abali ku bwerende naddala ababeera ku nsalo z’amawanga wamu n’okuyamba mu kukwasaganya omutindo gw’eby’obuyonjo.
Biki ebirala ebissiddwawo okukuuma abakyala abenyigira mu by’obusuubuzi ebirimu okusala ensalo nga bwe tulindirira ensalo zino okuddamu okuggulwawo?
TMEA wamu n’ekitongole ekivunaanyizibwa ku misolo mu ggwanga (Uganda Revenue Authority – URA) bassa omukono ku ndagaano y’okutegeeragana ku nkola y’okuyambamu abakyala abasuubuzi gye baayita Women Traders Trade Facilitation Network. Nga bayita mu nkola eno baagala bayambeko abakyala abasuubuzi okuvvuunuka okusoomozebwa kwe bayitamu ku nsalo z’amawanga okugeza obutamanya wamu n’okubeera ng’emitendera egiyitibwamu okusuubula mu mawanga amalala tebagitegeera bulungi.
TMEA ne URA bagenda kukolera wamu okunnyonnyola abakyala bano emitendera gyonna egiyitibwamu okusobola okuyisaawo ebintu byabwe olwo embeera y’obusuubuzi ebatambulire bulungi.
Bwe batyo bawadde abakyala bano amagezi okwegatta ku bibiina ebigatta abasuubuzi ku nsalo ebiddukanyizibwa obulungi, zi SACCO n’ebibiina by’obwegassi ebirala basobole okubeera nga baganyulwa mu ssente gavumenti ze yateekawo okuyambako abasuubuzi mu kaseera ka ssennyiga omukambwe wamu n’okuyita mu makubo amatuufu nga batambuza eby’amaguzi byabwe. Okumanya ebisingawo ku ndagaano eno kyalira omukutu guno; https://www.trademarkea.com/news/ura-and-tmea-sign-deal-to-support-ugandan-women-traders/.
Amawulire amalala agakwata ku nteekateeka ya TradeMark East Africa batuukirire mu mawanga gano;
Burundi, Djibouti, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somaliland, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda ne Zambia.
Ebitundu ebisimbiddwako essira; Amambuka, Amasekkati, amakubo aganokoddwayo mu Bukiika kkono bwa Africa, Malawi ne Zambia.
Amawanga agataddemu ssente ge gano; Canada, Denmark, Omukago gwa Bulaaya (European Union), Finland, Netherlands, United Kingdom.
Endagiriro;
Safe Trade Emergency Facility: website https://www.trademarkea.com/safetrade/
TradeMark East Africa (Uganda): 3rd Floor, Course View Towers Plot 21, Yusuf Lule Road
P.O. Box 25820 Kampala, Uganda
Essimu: +256 312 223 400 Email: info@trademarkea.com
website: https://www.trademarkea.com/uganda/
How TradeMark East Africa is promoting safe trade and supporting cross border women traders
The COVID-19 Business Info Hub has identified information on programs that are supporting continuity of trade and business supply chains in East Africa, which have been significantly affected by the pandemic. Here is what you need to know about what TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) is doing.
About TradeMark East Africa and their Safe Trade program
Alarmed by the decline of trade in Eastern Africa and resulting jobs and export losses due to COVID-19, many governments in the region have mounted special efforts to keep trade safely running along the main transport corridors.
TMEA has created a US$20 million (shs 72 billion) Safe Trade Emergency Facility (STEF) to support governments to undertake critical measures along transport and trade routes that will ensure trade continues safely while protecting livelihoods. The programme will support trade continuing safely and unhindered and protect the health of traders, trade officials and transport operators. The emergency programme combines short to medium-term interventions that are critical for resumption of economic activity, food security and social stability, jobs, and economic recovery.
What are the areas of focus of the Safe Trade Emergency Facility (STEF)? What specific measures are to be implemented?
STEF is focusing on making ports, borders and critical supply chains safe for trade through supply of adequate critical protective equipment, making available quarantine facilities and health offices at key borders, and extending the Regional Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) to track movement of trucks not covered. The program also focuses on ensuring food security and access to critically required medicines by introducing rapid inspection and clearance of goods and by providing safety and hygiene measures for informal sector traders. Additional measures will be implemented to reduce jobs losses and support exports; these include working with trader associations to support MSMEs in rebuilding trading capabilities, engaging humanitarian organizations to support vulnerable border communities, and supporting quick tackling of Standards and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary trade related issues for faster settlement.
What other initiatives are in place to protect women in cross border trade as we await reopening of borders?
TMEA and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Women Traders Trade Facilitation Framework, which seeks to address challenges faced by women traders at the borders such as lack of information and understanding around processes and procedures. TMEA and URA will work together to clarify clearance processes and procedures for women traders and build a better business environment for them. The partners have advised women in cross border trade to join well-governed cross-border trade associations, SACCOs, cooperatives and registered groups to benefit from government-sponsored COVID-19 relief funds and to use formal routes to convey their goods. More information on the MOU can be found here: https://www.trademarkea.com/news/ura-and-tmea-sign-deal-to-support-ugandan-women-traders/.
Other Program Information and Contact Details to TradeMark East Africa
STEF programme reach: Burundi, Djibouti, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somaliland, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Spotlight on corridors: Northern and Central as well as selected corridors in Horn of Africa, Malawi and Zambia.
Funded by: Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Netherlands, United Kingdom
Contact Details:
Safe Trade Emergency Facility: website https://www.trademarkea.com/safetrade/
TradeMark East Africa (Uganda): 3rd Floor, Course View Towers Plot 21, Yusuf Lule Road
P.O. Box 25820 Kampala, Uganda Tell: +256 312 223 400 Email: info@trademarkea.com website: https://www.trademarkea.com/uganda/
Engeri ensawo emanyiddwa nga Yield Fund gy’edduukiriramu SMEs mu kaseera ka ssennyiga omukambwe
Omukutu gwa Covid-19 Business Info Hub gwatuukirira ekitongole kya Pearl Capital Partners (PCP) okusobola okutegeera engeri Yield Fund, ng’eno nsawo eyateekebwawo okuyamba mu kusiga ensimbi mu by’obulimi era nga eddukanyizibwa PCP ku lw’abagabirizi b’obuyambi abalala; gy’edduukiriramu SMEs mu Uganda mu kaseera ka nnawookeera wa covid. Bino bye weetaaga okumanya ku nsawo eno n’engeri gy’eyinza okuyambamu SMEs.
Ebikwata ku nsawo eno
Yield Fund ebalirilwamu obuwumbi 72 UGX (obukadde 20 obwa Euro) era nga zaaweebwayo ab’omukago gwa Bulaaya (European Union) wamu n’ekitongole ekivunaanyizibwa ku kukulaakulanya eby’obulimi mu nsi yonna ekya International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Kuno kwegattibwako ebitongole ebirala ebigabirizi by’obuyambi nga Open Society Foundations (OSF), Finn Church Aid Investments (FCAI) wamu n’ekittavvu ky’abakozi mu Uganda ki National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
Ensimbi zino ziddukanyizibwa aba Pearl Capital Partners (PCP) Uganda, era nga baatongoza obukadde bwa Euro 12 (mu za Uganda bwe buwumbi 43.2) okuyambako ku bu bizinesi bw’eby’obulimi obutono wamu n’ezo ezitandise okukulaakulana – Small and growing agribusinesses (SGAs) mu Uganda mu mwezi gwa Gatonnya (January) mu 2017. Ensawo eno yatandika n’obukadde 10 obwa Euro nga bwaweebwayo ab’omukago gwa Bulaaya(European Union) nga bayita mu IFAD.
Yield Fund eno erina engeri ey’enjawulo gy’edduukiriddemu b’eteekamu ssente mu kaseera ka COVID-19?
Mu mbeera y’okudduukirira abateekwamu ssente mu kaseera ka ssennyiga omukambe, Yield Fund ebayambye mu kutondawo enteekateeka ezisobozesezza emirimu gyabwe okusigala nga gikyatambula wamu n’okuyiiya ebikolebwa ebipya; okukyusa ku ngeri eby’ensimbi gye bibadde biddukanyizibwamu wamu n’okwongeramu ssente bwe kiba kyetaagisizza nga kw’otadde n’okwongera ku budde bwe bamala nga bakyakuwa amagezi ag’ekikugu mu by’ensimbi ne bamala okukakasa nti gwe bataddemu ssente asobola okwetengerera nga tebanneeyongerayo ku mirimu mirala.
Yield Fund ekkiriza okusaba kw’abaagala okugyegattako abaggya? Omuntu eyandyetaaze okuba ng’ateekebwamu ssente alina kutuukiriza bisaanyizo ki?
Kituufu, Yield Fund ekkiriza abasaba okugyegattako abapya era bino bye balina okuwaayo;
- Mu bimpimpi nnyonnyola ebikwata ku bizinesi yo, engeri gy’egenda okuddukanyizibwamu ng’ogasseko n’empapula eziraga obuyigirize bw’abo abagenda okugiddukanya.
- Okunnyonnyola obulungi ebintu by’ogenda okufulumya, obutale gy’ogenda okubitunda, amakubo mw’onoyita okubibunyisa, ebikwata ku ba kasitoma bo ab’enkizo n’engeri ebintu gye binaabatuukangako.
- Enteekateeka ya bizinesi yo ng’ennyonnyola bulungi engeri gy’ogisuubira okukulaakulanamu wamu n’okugaziwa, biki eby’amaanyi by’osuubira, obuzibu bw’eyinza okusanga wamu n’engeri gy’osuubira eby’enfuna byayo okufaanana okumala waakiri emyaka etaano.
- Kkopi z’ebiwandiiko ebimaze okukakasibwa ebiraga eby’enfuna nga bwe bibadde bitambula okumala emyaka ebiri egiyise nga muno ozingiramu eby’ensimbi engeri gye biddukanyizibwa mu kiseera ekyo nga kw’otadde n’embeera y’eby’enfuna nga bw’eyimiridde mu budde obwo okutwalira awamu.
- Onnyonnyola bizinesi yo engeri gy’eyambamu oba gy’ekosamu abantu n’ebintu ebagiriraanye.
Yield Fund eno bizinesi z’eteekamu ssente mu Uganda ensangi zino ze ziriwa?
Ensawo eno mu kiseera kino erina ebitongole musanvu bye y’akasigamu ensimbi era nga ebimu ku byo bye bino;
- Chemiphar – 2019. Lino lyekebeggyezo (laboratory) era nga yakakasibwa mu nsi yonna ng’esangibwa Kansanga ku njegoyego z’ekibuga Kampala. Omulimu gwa Chemiphar omukulu kwe kuyamba SMEs naddala eziddukanya emirimu gy’okukola emmere n’eby’okunywa, ebirime, eby’obutonde, amadagala n’eby’okwewunda wamu n’abakola ensigo okubeera nga bagezesezaayo wamu n’okwekebejja ebintu byabwe. Chemiphar era eyamba okulambula ebintu ebikolebwa okukakasa nti bitambula bulungi.
Yield Fund wano yakwatagana ne ABI mu kusiga akawumbi 1.3 UGX era ng’ekigendererwa kwe kusobozesa ekitongole kino okutuukiriza obulungi obwetaavu bw’okugezesa n’okwekebejja ebintu obweyongera buli lukedde. Ekirala kwe kuba nga balina obusobozi bw’okukola buli muntu ky’aba yeetaaze ku katale aka wano wamu n’ebweru w’eggwanga naddala mu kiseera kino ng’omutindo wamu n’obungi bw’ebintu Uganda by’etunda ebweru w’eggwanga byeyongera buli lukya.
- CECOFA – 2018. Central Coffee Farmers Association Ltd (CECOFA) kino kitongole ekikola ku Ekitongole kino kikunganya emmwanyi enkalu (Kiboko cherries) okuva mu balimi abalima ebitonotono be kikolagana nabo abakunukkiriza mu 3,600 mu ngeri ey’obwegassi.
Wano yield fund yateekamu obuwumbi 5.14 UGX n’ekigendererwa eky’okusobozesa ekitongole kino okwongera ku bungi bw’emmwanyi z’ekika kya Robusta ze kikunganya wamu n’okutunda ebweru w’eggwanga kuno kw’ogatta n’okwongera ku muwendo gw’abalimi be kikolagana nabo.
- SESACO Limited – 2018. Sesaco Limited kkolera erikola ebintu okuva mu birime era nga bano bye bakola biva mu soya. Lino lyatandika mu 1978 nga likola ebintu ebitonotono era nga kaakano lisangibwa mu kabuga k’e Kyengera nga wano wangu wa kutuuka ku baleeta ebintu wamu n’abaguzi.
Sesaco ebintu ebikulu by’ekola ye soya cup (ono anywebwa ku caayi) obuwunga bwa soya millet wamu n’obwa soya maize. Yield Fund muno yateekamu akawumbi 1.6 UGX n’ekigendererwa ky’okulongoosa ebintu ekkolero lino bye likozesa nga baliteekerateekera okugaziwa wamu n’okukulaakulana mu biseera eby’omumaaso.
Okyagadde? Osobola okubatuukirira ku:
PCP Uganda, Equata Building, 2nd floor UMA Showground, Lugogo Kampala. P.O. Box 15373
Essimu: +256 393 264983/4 Email: info@pearlcapital.net Website www.pearlcapital.net
How the Yield Fund is supporting SMEs during COVID
The COVID-19 Business Info Hub reached out to Pearl Capital Partners (PCP) to understand how the Yield Fund, an impact investment fund for agriculture managed by PCP on behalf of multi-donor partners, is supporting SMEs in Uganda during the pandemic. Here is what you need to know about Yield Fund and how it can help SME businesses.
About the Fund
The Yield Fund is a shs 72 billion (20 million Euro) impact investment fund by the European Union (EU) Delegation to Uganda and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with additional investments from Open Society Foundations (OSF), Finn Church Aid Investments (FCAI), and National Social Security Fund (NSSF). It is managed by Pearl Capital Partners (PCP) Uganda, which launched a 12 million Euro (shs 43.2 billion) fund to invest in small & growing agribusinesses (SGAs) positioned in agricultural supply chains in Uganda in January 2017. The Yield Fund is anchored by 10 million Euros of initial funding from the EU through IFAD.
Has the Yield Fund provided specific COVID-19 support to investees?
To support investees during COVID-19, the Yield Fund has provided support in developing business continuity plans and new business lines; restructured existing financing and provided follow on investment; and extended the timeline of a technical assistance facility attached to financing to enable investees to stabilize before taking on additional activities.
Is the Yield Fund taking on new applications? What are the eligibility requirements for prospective investees?
Yes, the Yield Fund is taking on new applications. Prospective investees must provide:
- A brief description of the business, including an organizational chart and CVs of key management.
- Details of products, markets and distribution channels, including profiles of key customers and supply chain.
- A business plan that clearly sets out the company’s growth/expansion plans, key assumptions, major risks and financial forecast for at least five years.
- Copies of audited financial statements for the preceding two years including a copy of the business’s most recent management accounts and a description of the current financial position.
- Details of the social impact of the business.
What are some of the Yield Fund’s current investments in Uganda?
The Yield Fund currently has seven investees, which include:
- Chemiphar – 2019. Chemiphar is an internationally accredited analytical laboratory located on the outskirts of Kampala, in Kansanga, whose core business is to provide testing and inspection services to SME businesses operating in food and beverages, agro-products, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetics as well as agricultural seeds. Yield Fund’s partnership with aBi in this UGX 1.3Bn investment is majorly to enhance the company’s capacity to meet the growing local demand of quality and efficient laboratory testing services and also to have the ability to fulfill specific requirements of local and foreign markets, especially with the increasing growth of Uganda’s exports and standards.
- CECOFA – 2018. Central Coffee Farmers Association Ltd (CECOFA) is a primary processor of coffee. The company collects dried coffee beans (Kiboko cherries) from its network of approximately over 3,600 smallholder farmers organized through a co-operative structure. The Yield Fund’s investment of UGX 5.14 billion is aimed at increasing the company’s capacity to source and export larger volumes of Robusta coffee from smallholders as well as increase the number of certified smallholder farmers.
- SESACO Limited – 2018. Sesaco Limited is an agro-processing company, processing and manufacturing soy-based products. It started in 1978 trading at small scale household levels and is currently located at Kyengera trading centre, providing accessibility to suppliers and markets. Sesaco’s flagship products are soy cup (a decaffeinated instant beverage), soy millet flour and soy maize flour. Yield Fund’s investment of UGX 1.6 billion in Sesaco Limited is aimed at improving the company’s production facilities while stabilizing and preparing the business for a larger expansion and growth in the future.
Interested? Contact Information:
PCP Uganda, Equata Building, 2nd floor UMA Showground, Lugogo Kampala. P.O. Box 15373
Phone Contact: +256 393 264983/4 Email: info@pearlcapital.net Website www.pearlcapital.net
Engeri eby’obulambuzi mu Uganda gye biyinza okufaanana oluvannyuma lw’okusimattuka ssennyiga omukambwe
Omukutu gwa Covid-19 Business Info Hub gwayogerako ne David Gonahasa, ng’ono mwagazi nnyo ow’eby’obulambuzi mu Africa ate nga ye nnannyini kitongole kya Tripxio ng’eno SME eyagunjizzaawo enkola ey’enjawulo okugezaako okuyamba abaddukanya emirimu gy’eby’obulambuzi okusobola okusimattuka embeera ya ssennyiga omukambwe. Gano ge gamu ku masomo abali mu ttabi ly’eby’obulambuzi ge basobola okuyiga gabayambe okusigalawo oluvannyuma lwa Covid.
Eby’obulambuzi bikoseddwa bitya embeera ya ssennyiga omukambwe?
Mu ntandikwa, omwaka 2020 gwali gusuubirwa okuba n’omukisa ogw’amaanyi mu by’obulambuzi bya Uganda. Enkulaakulana ebaddenga ebeerawo buli mwaka yali esuubirwa era ng’abaddukanya eby’obulambuzi beesunze okukola ennyo olw’okuba baali basuubira nti ate omwaka ogunaddirira ogwa 2021 ebintu biyinza obutatambula bulungi olw’okuba gujja kubaamu eby’okulonda.
Ng’omwaka gwakatambulako emyezi ena gyokka, ettabi ly’eby’obulambuzi nga lino likola ebitundu 7.5% ku mugatte gw’ebintu byonna ebikolebwa mu ggwanga (GDP) lyaggalwawo olwa Covid-19. Wooteeri ennene zisazeeko abakozi, ababadde baziddukanya abamu ekintu boolekedde okukivaamu era okusinziira ku kitongole ky’eby’obulambuzi mu ggwanga (Uganda Tourism Board), emirimu egikunukkiriza mu 460,000 giri mu lusuubo.
Omuggalo gunaatera okuggyibwawo era abantu baddemu okutambula nate, wabula eky’ennaku kiri nti abamu ku baddukanya emirimu gy’eby’obulambuzi bayinza okuba nga bakoseddwa nnyo era nga kizibu okuddamu okwetereeza. Kiyinza okutwalira ddala omwaka mulamba ng’abalambuzi abava ebweru w’eggwanga tebannaddamu kuyiika mu ggwanga sso ng’ate be babadde bakwatiridde eby’enfuna by’ettabi ly’eby’obulambuzi ebbanga lyonna. Abagenyi bano we batali, abaddukanya eby’obulambuzi bajja kusigala nga bali mu muyaga era nga kijja kubeetaagisa okubeera abatetenkanya ennyo okusobola okuvvuunuka akaseera kano.
Okusimattuka kufaanana kutya?
Abakugu mu ttabi lino basuubira nti eby’obulambuzi bijja kutandika na katale aka wano wamu n’emiriraano awo oluvannyuma abalambuzi abava mu mawanga ag’ebweru balyoke bakomewo. Kino kireetawo ebibuuzo ku ngeri y’okuluubiriramu akatale kano n’okukakasa nti kanene ekimala okusobola okubeezaawo ettabi ly’eby’obulambuzi.
Okuluubirira abalambuzi aba wano mu ggwanga wamu n’emiriraano kirabika nga kisobola okukolera abaddukanya eby’obulambuzi, ssi kubaleetera buleetezi ku kasente wabula n’okuddamu okuzimba obwesigwa mu bifo byabwe olw’okuba abantu abasinga (ng’ogasseko n’abalambuzi abava ebweru) beeyunira nnyo okugenda mu bifo ebyettaniddwa abantu abalala.
Akatale kko kanene ekimala? Bwe kiri. Okusinziira ku alipoota ya African development Bank, Uganda erina abantu abalina enfuna ey’ekigero abawera 18% nga be bantu obukadde 7.2. Alipoota y’emu era eraga nti abantu abalina enfuna esukkulumyeko bawera akakadde 1.5. Kino kiba kitegeeza nti banna Uganda abawerera ddala akakadde kalamba balina obusobozi bw’okusasulira eby’obulambuzi, kuno kwogatta n’ebibinja ng’amasomero wamu n’amakanisa.
Ekikulu kwe kulaba nga tukyusa endowooza zaffe ku by’okutambula wano mu ggwanga oba ku miriraano wamu n’okuzuula engeri empya ze tusobola okwogerezeganya ne ba kasitoma.
Abaddukanya eby’obulambuzi wano mu ggwanga ebbanga lyonna babaddenga tebafaayo kutunuulira katale ka wano nga balina endowooza nti “banna Uganda tebalambula”. Endowooza eno egenze ekyuka n’efuuka nti “Banna Uganda bettanira kulambula bifo ebiri mu mawanga ag’ebweru okusinga okulambula amakuumiro g’ebisolo agaffe aga wano”
Bwino okuva mu kitongole ekiddukanya eby’obulambuzi e Dubai (Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing) alambika nti Banna Uganda abawerera ddala 49,000 be baagenda mu kibuga Emirate mu mwaka gwa 2018 asobola okukakasa endowooza eno, bw’otunuulira embeera nti omuwendo guno gusinga ogw’abatuuze b’obuvanjuba bwa Africa abaalambula amakuumiro g’ebisolo mu Uganda mu mwaka gwe gumu.
Abalambuzi aba wano wamu n’ab’emiriraano beetaaga okunnyonnyolwa obulungi omugaso gw’okulambula amakuumiro g’ebisolo aga wano, kino kiba kitegeeza okubatangaaza ku bintu nga emiwendo, obwangu, obulungi bw’ebifo n’ebirala bingi ba kasitoma bye baba basuubira. Akatale kalina okunoonyezebwa mu ngeri eraga okufaayo ennyo ku ba kasitoma ate ng’obalaga nti bagasibwa mu kintu ekyo. Kano si ke kadde aka “mujje mulambule ku kifo kyaffe” wabula enkola eya #Osobola okutambulako enkya” y’eriko kati.
Abali mu mulimu gw’eby’obulambuzi bakoze batya okwezza obuggya oluvannyuma lwa Covid?
Mu butale obwakulaakulana, eby’obulambuzi bikutulwakutulwamu nnyo ate nga biddukanyizibwa okusinziira ku bumanyirivu. Ebintu biteekebwateekebwa okubeera nga bituukagana bulungi n’obwetaavu bw’abo abasuubira okubikozesa. Enkola eno eyamba okuteekawo enjawulo wamu n’okukola ebintu ebituukiridde obulungi ekiyamba abaddukanya ebifo okubeera nga buli kaseera bafuna abaagala okugendayo.
Wano mu Uganda eby’obulambuzi bikyali mu mbeera ey’okuba nga bifaanagana; ababiddukanya bonna beesigama ku kulambula makuumiro ga bisolo, okumala ennaku ezifaanagana, emirundi egisinga nga n’emiwendo gye gimu. Mu bantu abavuganya, enjawulo bagifuna kusinziira ku muwendo gwe baba batadde mu kulanga oba ku ngeri gye baba bazimbye emirandira gy’ebintu byabwe okusobola okufuna akatale.
Bino bye birowoozo ebitonotono omuntu by’ayinza okutunulamu;
Ddamu olowooze wamu n’okuzimba by’otunda
Abaddukanya emirimu gino basaanye bakole bino;
- Tegeera abantu b’oluubirira. By’otunda oyagala kubiguza ani?
- Manya ebibasikiriza okubeera nga bagenda okulambula. Banoonya kuwummulako? Baagala kutegeera bya buwangwa wamu n’ebyafaayo?
- Zimba ebintu byo nga weetooloolera ku nsonga ezo, otegeere by’otunda wamu n’ensonga lwaki bateekeddwa okubikugulako.
Ddamu olowooze ku ngeri y’okubunyisa ebintu era olowooze ku kukwasaganyiza emirimu ku mutimbagano
Ng’ofunye enkola ya tekinologiya ennungi, abali mu mulimu guno basobola okutandika okugaba ebitereke wamu n’ebirabo eby’okukozesebwa mu maasoko, okutandika okuddiza ku ba kasitoma (promotions) , okukkiriza abasasula mu bitundutundu basobole okutandika okuyingiza ku ssente.
Bizinesi okusobola okubeerawo kiba kyetaagisa okulongoosa enkwasaganya y’ebintu mu bitundu eby’enjawulo naddala mu kubunyisa ebintu, okusikiriza abakyalira website yammwe wamu n’okusendasenda ba kasitoma okwongera ku nsaasaanya yaabwe. Okukwasaganyiza emirimu gy’eby’obulambuzi ku mutimbagano y’emu ku ngeri eyinza okukusobozesa okubituukiriza kubanga emirimu osobola okugikwasaganyako okuva ku ntandikwa ppaka ku nkomerero.
Okukwasaganyiza emirimu ku mutimbagano kibadde nga kya bbeeyi era nga bangi tebakisobola, naye kati waliwo engeri nnyinji omuntu mwasobola okuyita okufuna enkola eno ng’ataddemu ka ssente katono.
Tripxio y’emu ku by’okuddibwamu ebiyamba bizinesi okukula, okubunyisa wamu n’okutunda eby’obulambuzi ku mutimbagano.
Esobozesa zi bizinesi okukwatagana n’emikutu gy’eby’obusuubuzi ku mutimbagano, abateekateeka eby’entambula, okunoonyeza obutale ku mutimbagano, okukwata ebifo wamu n’eby’ensasula nga kw’otadde okukwasaganya emirimu gyonna egyetaagisa mu kifo kimu (abakozi ab’omunda wamu n’abo abakwatagana obutereevu ne ba kasitoma)
Kano kaba ka software akatagula buwanana naye nga kayamba okuba ng’olina tekinologiya owuwo gw’okozeseza mu kifo ekyo.
Beera mutetenkanya mu kunoonya obutale wamu n’okuzimba enkolagana n’abantu ba bulijjo.
Obwa kitunzi wamu n’okuzimba enkolagana n’abantu ba bulijjo tebisaana kukoma newankubadde nga mu kiseera kino okutambula kutono ddala. Kya mugaso nnyo okusigala ng’olabika era kozesa obudde buno okuzimba ba kasitoma bye bakusuubiramu.
Akatale kalina okunoonyezebwa mu ngeri eraga okufaayo ennyo ku ba kasitoma ate nga obalaga nti bagasibwa mu kintu ekyo. Kano si ke kadde aka “mujje mulambule ku kifo kyaffe” wabula enkola eya #Osobola okutambulako enkya” y’esaana okutambulirako kati.
Tegeeza abantu bizinesi yo by’ekola okusobola okubeera nga yeeyongeddeko oluvannyuma lwa Covid na bukodyo ki mu by’obulambuzi bwe mugezaako okuteeka mu nkola okusobola okukakasa okubeerawo kwayo wamu n’okw’ebitundu ebyetooloddewo.
Ddamu ebibuuzo nga “olugero lwa bizinesi eno luli lutya? Lwaki yeetagisa?” omuggalo bwe gunaagenda gukkakkanyizibwa abantu ne batandika okutambula, mulage nti abantu bajja mu bifo byammwe. Kino kijja kuzimba obwesigwa era abagenyi abalala bangi bajja kusobola okubeeyunira.
Bwoba teweekakasa ngeri gy’oyinza kuteekateekamu bubaka buno ku lulwo, waliyo abakugu mu by’empuliziganya bangi abasobola okukuyambako mu kukikola.
What Post-COVID Survival Could look like for Ugandan Tourism Business?
The COVID-19 Business Info Hub spoke with David Gonahasa, an African tourism enthusiast and CEO of Tripxio, an SME that has built a unique solution to help tourism businesses survive through the serious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the lessons SMEs in the sector can learn from to ensure their survival post-COVID.
What have the effects of COVID-19 been on the tourism sector?
From the onset, 2020 screamed opportunity for Uganda tourism. The year on year growth trend was expected to continue, and operators were looking to drive sales as high as possible in anticipation of a possible slowdown caused by 2021 being an election year.
Four months into the year, the entire tourism sector, which contributes 7.5% of GDP, shut down due to COVID-19. The largest hotel chains have laid off staff, some operators are completely bowing out, and according to Uganda Tourism Board, about 460,000 jobs are on the line. The lockdown will soon be over, and people will travel again; however, for some operators, the damage may be irreparable. It could be up to a year before international tourists, who have long been the core backbone of the sector revenue, start to flock Uganda again. Without these visitors, operators that start over will still be in the eye of the storm and will have to be at their most innovative to navigate this period.
What does survival look like?
Sector specialists expect that tourism will restart with domestic and regional market bookings and that eventually international tourists will return. This brings up questions around how to target the domestic market and whether the market is sufficiently large to keep the sector afloat. Targeting domestic and regional tourists may be a viable option for operators to not only create cash flows post-COVID but also start to rebuild destination confidence, particularly since most people (including international tourists) will travel to places where other people go.
Is the market sufficiently large? Yes. The African Development Bank reports Uganda’s middle class makes up 18% of the population, which is about 7.2 million people. The same report places the upper-middle-class number at about 1.5 million individuals. This would indicate that there are over 1 million Ugandans likely to be able to afford to pay for tourism or experience-related products, as well as groups like schools and churches.
What is important is changing the mindset around domestic or regional travel and finding new ways of communicating customer experience. Local tourism operators have long been reluctant to focus on the domestic market with the viewpoint that “Ugandans don’t travel.” This view is now gradually changing to “Ugandans prefer to travel to international destinations as opposed to local National Parks.” Data from Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) that indicates that 49,000 Ugandans traveled to the Emirate in 2018 may confirm this view when taking into account that this is larger than the number of East African Residents who traveled to most Ugandan National Parks in the same year. The value to the potential domestic or regional tourist traveling to a Ugandan National Park needs to be effectively communicated – and that means highlighting things like price, convenience, scenic beauty, and the customer experience that can be expected. Marketing should focus on being empathetic and relatable – it is not the time for “come to my destination” type marketing. The #TravelTomorrow campaign is one to ride on.
How can industry players practically re-invent themselves post-COVID?
In more developed markets, tourism is highly fragmented and specialized. Products are tailored to suit the target audience’s needs and desires. This innovation creates differentiation and relevance for operators. It drives consistent bookings. In Uganda, tourism is still characterized by product homogeneity, Operators sell the same National Park deals, for the same number of days, and in many cases, even for the same price. For competing operators, conversion comes down to how much an agent has to spend on marketing or how well networked they are.
A few recommendations to consider include:
Rethink and redevelop products.
Operators should:
- Identify their target customers. Who are operators selling to?
- Understand their motivations to purchase tourism or experience products. Are they looking to relax? To engage with culture and history?
- Build products around that, ensuring that what are you selling and why they should buy from you are clear.
Rethink distribution & digitalize business operations.
With an effective technology solution, an operator can start distributing packages and promotions for later dates, accept installments, and start to guarantee revenues. Business survival calls for improving efficiency across many areas, primarily product distribution, conversion, and maximizing customer spend. Digitalizing tourism sales and operations is one way to achieve this, enabling front end e-commerce and back end operations capabilities.
Digitalization has for long seemed very expensive and out of reach for many operators; however, there are a number of solutions today that will allow an operator to achieve this at a fraction of the cost. Tripxio (hello@tripxio.com) is one such solution that helps businesses develop, distribute, and sell tourism and experience products online. It allows businesses access to e-commerce websites, itinerary builders, digital marketing, and bookings and payments systems, and generally enables them to manage back-office operations and customer relationships all in one place. This solution is a software as a service model, which implies a limited cost of acquisition to the business with the benefits of running an in-house technology team.
Get creative about marketing and public relations.
Marketing and public relations activities should not stop for agents, even if travel is limited. It is pertinent to remain visible and use this time to build customer expectations. Marketing should focus on being empathetic and relatable – it is not the time for “come to my destination” type marketing. The #TravelTomorrow campaign is one to ride on. Communicate what your business is doing to be better post-COVID and what inclusive tourism strategies are being implemented to ensure sustainability not only for the business but also for nearby communities. Answer questions like “What is the business story? Why does it matter?” As the lockdown is loosened and people start to travel, show that people are coming to your destinations. This will drive confidence, and more visitors will come. If you are unsure of how to craft this kind of messaging yourself, there are numerous communications professionals out there that can support this process.
Engeri Uganda Industrial Research Institute Business Incubator gy’edduukiriramu SMEs
Omukutu gwa Covid-19 Business Info Hub gwayogerako ne Denis Dokoria ng’ono y’akolanga kitunzi wamu n’okukulira eby’empuliziganya mu Uganda Industrial Research Institute nga kino kitongole ekikola okunoonyereza ku by’amakolero okusobola okutegeera engeri enkola yaabwe ey’okulungamya wamu n’okuteekateeka zi bizinesi ezitandika (Business Incubator program) – gy’eyambamu SMEs naddala mu kaseera kano aka ssennyiga omukambwe.
Enkola ya Uganda Industrial Research Institute eya Business Incubator etegeeza ki?
Uganda Industrial Research Institute kitongole kya gavumenti nga kiri wansi wa minisitule ya ssaayansi, tekinologiya wamu n’ebiyiiyiizibwa ebipya era nga kye kyatandikawo enkola y’okulungamya wamu n’okuteekateeka zi bizinesi ezitandika (Business incubation). UIRI essira eriteeka mu kukulaakulanya eby’amakolero wamu n’obusuubuzi ng’eyita mu tekinologiya wamu n’okwongera obukugu naddala mu by’amakolero nga kw’otadde n’okusobozesa abasuubuzi okwongera omutindo ku bye bakola okugeza ku birime, eby’okwewunda, engoye, ebibumbe n’ebirala ebigwa mu kkowe eryo.
Ng’abakulembedde mu kuteekateeka zi bizinesi ezitandika, UIRI esobozesezza SMEs okwongera ku bukugu wamu ne ku bintu bye zifulumya ekizireetedde okukula ne zifuuka amakolero aga nnamaddala. Okulungamizibwa UIRI ekukolera mu maka gaayo ate oluusi n’ekukwasaganyiza ne mu bitundu ebirala ebitongole eby’enjawulo gye biba bisangibwa. UIRI ewa SMEs okulungamizibwa mu tekinologiya wamu n’obukodyo obw’ekikugu ku ngeri ebintu gye bikolebwamu naddala eri abo ababeera batandika obutandisi.
Mu mbeera y’okulungamya n’okuteekateeka bizinesi ezitandika wamu n’okugaziya obusobozi bw’eziriwo, UIRI ekwatagana n’abo abasobola okwenyigira mu by’amakolero wamu n’abasobola okutandikawo emirimu ng’ebatunuza mu kukola ebintu eby’omulembe ne tekinologiya ow’omulembe nga kw’otadde n’okukakasa omutindo.
UIRI buweereza nnabaki bwewa SMEs?
Ng’oggyeko okuteekateeka bizinesi ezitandika, UIRI eyambako SMES mu kuyiiya engeri gye bakolamu ebintu ebipya, okukola okunoonyereza okwekikugu mu bintu bya saayansi, okusooka okubayisa mu ngeri gye basobola okwongera omutindo ku bintu bye bakola, okubatendeka obukugu obwenjawulo, okutumbula tekinologiya, okubatendeka mu nkozesa y’ebyuma bi kalimagezi wamu n’okubawa amagezi ag’ekikugu mu nzirukanya y’emirimu.
Mu nkola y’okuteekateeka bizinesi ezitandika, UIRI ewandiika SMEs ezisobola okuyiiya ebintu ebipya ate nga zikozesa ebintu ebyaffe ebya wano naye nga zisobola bulungi okutuukiriza obwetaavu bw’akatale aka wano wamu ne ku katale k’ensi yonna. Zino ziweebwa omukisa ogw’okweyambisa ebintu bya UIRI nga ziyita mu mbeera y’okuteekebwateekebwa.
UIRI era eyamba abaagala okutandikawo emirimu wamu ne bannamakolero ng’ebawa obukugu ku ngeri gye bayinza okutondawo ebintu ebipya wamu n’okukozesa tekinologiya ng’eyita mu kubatendeka, okubayambako mu ngeri gye bayinza okusabikamu ebintu byabwe wamu n’okukola okunoonyereza okwekikugu.
UIRI edduukirira etya SMEs eziba zenyigidde mu nkola y’okuteekebwateekebwa.
SMEs eziba zeewandiisizza mu nkola y’okuteekebwateekebwa ziba zisobola okukozesa ebintu bya UIRI wamu ne tekinologiya nga kw’otadde n’okufuna okuyambibwako mu by’ekikugu okuva mu bakozi ba UIRI ekiseera kyonna. Kino nno kiyamba SMEs zino okuyitimuka mu bye bakola wamu n’obukugu.
Abantu ababa baagala okutandikawo emirimu, UIRI ebawa obukugu obutandikirwako okusobola okubayamba okutegeera ebintu bwe bitambula mu by’amakolero n’emirimu emirala. UIRI ekola okutendeka mu kwongera omutindo ku by’obulimi n’obulunzi (ennyama, amata, ebiva mu ngano, ebibala n’enva endiirwa), ebikolebwa mu mpapula, okubumba amanda, amabanda, engoye, ebibumbe, eby’okwewunda n’ebirala ebigwa mu kkowe eryo. Obukugu buno obubaweebwa buyamba abo abaagala okutandikawo emirimu okubeera nga batandika ku lugendo lwabwe olw’okubafuula SMEs. Ekitongole kino era kikola tekinologiya SMEs gwe zisobola okweyambisa mu kufulumya ebintu byazo.
Olwa nnawookeera wa Covid-19, SMEs zeenyigidde mu kukozesa ebyuma bi kalimagezi mu kuddukanya emirimu. Bizinesi ez’engeri eyo zisobola zitya okudduukirirwa UIRI?
UIRI esitukiddemu okulaba ng’etambulira mu mbeera eriwo kati eyaleetebwa ssennyiga omukambwe. Nga SMEs wamu n’ensi yonna okutwalira awamu bakozesa byuma bi kalimagezi, UIRI nayo eri mu kutandikawo enkola ey’okutendeka wamu n’okunoonyeza obutale ku mutimbagano okusobola okuyamba abo b’eteekateeka. Ng’eyita ku mikutu gi mugatta bantu wamu ne website, UIRI ejja kusobola bulungi okukwatagana ne SMEs nga kw’otadde n’abo ababeera baagala okutandikawo emirimu.
SMEs zisobola zitya okusaba okwenyigirira mu nkola y’okuteekebwateekebwa mu Bizinesi okuva mu UIRI?
Okusobola okukkirizibwa okwenyigira mu nkola ya UIRI ey’okuteekebwateekebwa, ekitongole kiba kirina okuteekayo okusaba kwakyo mu buwandiike ne kiwaayo bye kisuubira okukola era n’okunnyonnyola engeri gye kiba kinaasobola okutuukiriza ebyo bye kiba kiruubirira.
Abateekayo okusaba kwabwe balina okuba abeetegefu okuwangayo alipoota ez’ekiseera eziraga eby’enfuna wamu n’enzirukanya y’emirimu nga bwe biba biyimiridde, okuteeka omukono ku ndagaano ennyonnyola enkolagana yaabwe ne UIRI (Memorandum of Understanding) nga kw’otadde n’okugigondera wamu n’okukkiriza okuweebwa amagezi n’okuwabulwa okuva mu UIRI.
Mu bimpimpi, oyo yenna ayagala okwenyigira mu nkola eno ateekwa okulaga nti yeewaddeyo n’obumalirivu eri UIRI, n’alaga omugaso UIRI gw’eyinza okwongera ku bizinesi ye ate era n’alaga nti ne bizinesi ye ejja kuba ya mugaso eri eby’amakolero wano mu Uganda wamu n’ebweru w’eggwanga.
Tuukirira UIRI
Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI)
Website: https://www.uiri.go.ug
Essimu: 0414286124/0414286695
Email: info@uiri.go.ug
How Uganda Industrial Research Institute Business Incubator is supporting SMEs?
The COVID-19 Business Info Hub spoke with Denis Dokoria, Communications and Marketing Manager from the Uganda Industrial Research Institute to understand how their Business Incubator Program is supporting SMEs – especially during COVID.
What is Uganda Industrial Research Institute’s Business Incubator?
The Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) is a government parastatal under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation that pioneered business incubation in Uganda. UIRI is founded on a skilling factory model ingrained in growing industry and enterprises through technology development and skills transfer for the manufacturing sector as well as building the capacity of entrepreneurs in value addition in agro processing, cosmetic production, textile and ceramics, among others. As a lead in business incubation UIRI has capacitated SMEs into increasing their technical and production abilities to grow into fully fledged industries. This is done in house at the UIRI campus and also in satellite facilities UIRI supports in communities. UIRI provides technological as well as technical expert support to SMEs and technical knowhow of production processes for startup entrepreneurs. In both the business incubation and capacity building platform, UIRI engages potential industrialists and entrepreneurs ushering them into product and technology development as well as quality assurance.
What services does UIRI offer to SMEs?
Other than business incubation, UIRI offers SMEs innovative product development services, analytical laboratory services in microbiology, biotechnology and chemistry, pilot processing facilities for value addition, skills training, technology development/transfer, ICT training as well as technical and business advisory services. UIRI enrolls in its Business Incubation program SMEs with innovations and products that offer high potential in utilizing local raw materials as well as meeting the consumption needs of both the local and global market. These are given the opportunity of utilizing the facilities and technologies within UIRI as well as at the entrepreneur’s premises through our virtual incubation program. It also offers startup entrepreneurs and industrialists skills in technology and product development through training and mentorship. Additionally, UIRI also gives business development advisory services, branding support and analytical laboratory services.
How has UIRI supported SMEs who have participated in this incubator?
SMEs who are enrolled in the Business Incubation Program are able to utilize UIRI facilities and technology and have access to constant support from expert technical staff. This enables the SMEs to grow their capacity in production and skills. Startup entrepreneurs are given inception skills into industry and enterprise development. UIRI offers trainings in agro processing (meat, dairy, bakery, fruits & vegetables), handmade paper processing, briquettes, bamboo, textile, ceramics, cosmetics productions among others. These skills enable the startup entrepreneurs to begin their journey to become SMEs. The Institute also manufactures technologies SMEs utilize in their production processes.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, SMEs are opting for digitalization of their business. How can such businesses get support at UIRI?
UIRI is stepping up to meet the current trends brought about by COVID-19. As SMEs and the whole world goes digital, UIRI is developing digital training resources as well as marketing resources to support its incubatees and trainers. Through its digital platforms including social media and the website, UIRI will engage the SMEs and prospective entrepreneurs.
How can SMEs apply to the Business Incubator Program at UIRI?
To gain acceptance to the UIRI Incubator Program, an enterprise must make a formal application and provide a business plan, which illustrates the feasibility and viability of the enterprise. Applicants must also be willing to submit periodic financial and operational reports, sign and abide by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UIRI, and receive instruction and professional advice. In short, a potential incubatee must demonstrate commitment and show the value UIRI would add to their business as well as how their business would contribute to Uganda’s industrialization growth locally, regionally and internationally.
Contact UIRI:
Uganda Industrial Research institute (UIRI)
Website: https://www.uiri.go.ug
Tel: 0414286124/0414286695
Email: info@uiri.go.ug