Ugandans operating Small and Medium Enterprises have been urged to work together to strengthen the country’s economy and accelerate national development as government intensifies efforts to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are considered key drivers of economic transformation.
Patrick Mugisha, Commissioner for Business Development and Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives,says Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of economies worldwide.
“Globally, MSMEs account for approximately 90 percent of all businesses and more than 70 percent of employment. They are major drivers of innovation, job creation, industrialization, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic growth. In Uganda, MSMEs constitute over 90 percent of the private sector and contribute significantly to employment, income generation, value addition, and enterprise development. They remain central to the Government’s vision of transforming Uganda into a modern and prosperous economy,”he stated.
He made the appeal while announcing the forth coming UG Catalyst Summit 2026, a national platform expected to bring together private sector players, SME associations, policymakers, development partners, and government officials to discuss strategies for accelerating Uganda’s economic growth in Kampala.
The summit, scheduled for June 25–26, 2026, is being organized with the support of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in partnership with the National Planning Authority, Innovation Village Hub, and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition(GAIN) Uganda, development partners, private sector organizations, and other stakeholders in l commemoration of the United Nations International MSME Day 2026 through the UG Catalyst Summit to be held from 25th to 27th June 2026.
The celebrations will be held under the theme: “Catalyzing Action for Growth: Accelerating Uganda’s Tenfold Growth through Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” While focusing on “Reducing Barriers for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to enter the formal economy (Formalize to Rise)
Mugisha said the summit will focus on advancing Uganda’s 10-fold growth strategy, which aligns with government priorities in agro-industrialization, trade development, mineral-based industrialization, and value addition.
He further revealed that government is pursuing an ambitious target of expanding Uganda’s economy from approximately $50 billion to $500 billion within the next 15 years.
“The private sector, particularly SMEs, has a critical role to play in achieving this vision. Through initiatives such as the UG Catalyst Summit, we aim to create stronger partnerships that can drive investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth,” Mugisha said.
“As Uganda pursues the ambitious Tenfold Growth Strategy to expand the economy to USD 500 billion by 2040, MSMEs will play a critical role in driving growth across the priority sectors of Agro-Industrialization, Tourism Development, Mineral Development, and Science, Technology, and Innovation,”he added.
National Planning Authority representative Asuman Golooba acknowledged the progress Uganda has made in recent years but noted that unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest challenges.
He emphasized that collective action and national unity are essential for achieving meaningful economic transformation.
“If Ugandans work together, it is possible to significantly improve the economy and create more opportunities for our people,” Golooba said.
Ssekimpi Philip Kakembo, leader of the Uganda Tailors Association, underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration between government and industry players.
“The plan for industries and government to work together will greatly contribute to improving Uganda’s economic growth. Strong partnerships will help local enterprises expand, create jobs, and increase production,” Kakembo said.
Organizers say the summit will provide a platform for stakeholders to explore practical solutions for supporting SMEs, promoting industrialization, enhancing competitiveness, and increasing Uganda’s participation in regional and international markets.
The event is expected to generate recommendations that will contribute to the country’s long-term goal of achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
“Specifically, the celebrations will recognize and celebrate the critical contribution of MSMEs to Uganda’s economic transformation and sustainable development,showcase innovative enterprises, technologies, and solutions supporting growth across Uganda’s priority sectors,facilitate strategic partnerships between the Government, development partners, investors, financial institutions, and the private sector and strengthen pathways for MSME access to finance, markets, technology, and business development services,”she stated.
Sali further said the celebrations will feature high-level dialogues, sector-specific engagements, enterprise showcases, and investment discussions organized around Uganda’s priority growth sectors. of Agro-Industrialization,Mineral Development,Tourism Development and Science, Technology, and Innovation – highlighting digital transformation, innovation commercialization, technology adoption, and innovation financing.
The Summit will also provide opportunities for MSMEs to engage with investors, development finance institutions, policymakers, regulators, anchor buyers, and international partners.
lastly the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Uganda through the Nutrition Impact at Scale (NIS) Project, will officially launch the Fresh Value Innovation Challenge 2026.
The Challenge seeks to identify and support innovative MSMEs and youth-led enterprises that are developing scalable solutions to strengthen Uganda’s vegetable and fruit value chains, improve access to nutritious foods, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance market competitiveness.
