The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has challenged Enterprise Uganda to accelerate its digital transformation and expand the delivery of entrepreneurship support services, in a move aimed at reaching more businesses and strengthening Uganda’s private sector-led economic growth.
The call was made during a high-level engagement between Finance Minister Henry Musasizi, Minister of State for Planning Amos Lugoloobi, and the Board and Management of Enterprise Uganda, where discussions centered on the institution’s contribution to entrepreneurship development and its strategic role in advancing Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.
Enterprise Uganda, established 25 years ago with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has grown into one of the country’s leading institutions providing entrepreneurship development and Business Development Services (BDS) to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
During the meeting, Minister Musasizi urged the institution to embrace digital technologies to scale up its impact and make entrepreneurship training and advisory services accessible to a wider population across the country.
He said leveraging digital platforms would enable Enterprise Uganda to reach more entrepreneurs, particularly young people and businesses in underserved areas, while reducing the cost of delivering business support programmes.
Musasizi also emphasized the importance of strengthening post-training mentorship, noting that entrepreneurs require continuous guidance beyond classroom training to build resilient and sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs and contributing to national economic growth.
The minister commended Enterprise Uganda for its longstanding contribution to Uganda’s private sector development, praising the Board for maintaining strong corporate governance and professional leadership over the years.
“The institution has played an important role in developing entrepreneurs and supporting enterprise growth. However, there is a need to harness digital technologies to expand entrepreneurship services and provide continuous business support that enables entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses,” Musasizi said.
The Enterprise Uganda delegation was led by Board Chairperson Richard Byarugaba and Executive Director Charles Ocici, who briefed the ministers on the institution’s achievements, ongoing programmes and strategic priorities in promoting entrepreneurship across Uganda.
The discussions come at a time when government is increasingly positioning the private sector as the primary engine of economic growth, employment creation and industrialization under the country’s development agenda.
State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi called for stronger monitoring and evaluation systems to demonstrate Enterprise Uganda’s impact and improve accountability for public investment.
He said transparent reporting would not only strengthen public confidence in the institution but also attract additional funding and partnerships from both government and development partners as well as private investors.
Lugoloobi further proposed integrating entrepreneurship education into Uganda’s secondary schools, universities and tertiary institutions to equip young people with practical business and financial management skills before they enter the labour market.
He argued that embedding entrepreneurship into the education system would help shift graduates from job seekers to job creators, thereby reducing unemployment while increasing business formation and innovation.
The minister also recommended the introduction of orientation programmes for newly elected Members of Parliament focusing on financial management, investment and wealth creation, saying such initiatives would enhance informed decision-making on economic development and personal financial sustainability.
Government has in recent years intensified efforts to support entrepreneurship through initiatives targeting small businesses, youth and women entrepreneurs, recognizing MSMEs as a critical pillar of Uganda’s economy.
According to government policy, strengthening entrepreneurship is expected to improve business survival rates, enhance productivity, stimulate innovation and increase household incomes, all of which are essential for achieving inclusive economic transformation.
The Finance Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Enterprise Uganda as a strategic implementation partner in promoting entrepreneurship, enterprise growth and private sector competitiveness.
Officials said deeper collaboration between government and Enterprise Uganda will be essential in expanding business development services, improving enterprise resilience and ensuring that more Ugandans can successfully establish and grow sustainable businesses.
The renewed focus on digital delivery of entrepreneurship programmes also aligns with government’s broader digital transformation agenda, which seeks to use technology to improve access to public services, enhance efficiency and accelerate economic development across the country.
With Enterprise Uganda marking a quarter-century of operations, government believes the institution is well positioned to leverage technology, strengthen business mentorship and widen its national footprint as Uganda pursues a more competitive and inclusive private sector-driven economy.
