In a strategic move aimed to power Small and Medium Enterprises as engine for growht,Buganda Kingdom, through K2 Telecom, has launched Kibuga Online e-commerce platform to connect with customers across Uganda.
SMEs account for more than 90 percent of Uganda’s private sector and contribute approximately three-quarters of the country’s gross domestic product,however, many remain constrained by limited market access and geographic reach.
Henry Ndugga, Head of Products at K2 Telecom, said Kibuga Online is designed to provide convenience for consumers and expand market access for manufacturers and traders.
He noted that while other e-commerce platforms exist, rising demand continues to create opportunities for new entrants to serve underserved segments of the market.
“Kibuga Online seeks to bridge this gap by providing a structured digital marketplace that enables businesses to trade beyond their immediate locations.”he stated.
“Kibuga Online positions itself as a locally anchored platform designed to help enterprises scale beyond traditional physical markets,”he added.
Nudugga explained that the e-commerce platform allows vendors to list products, manage orders and receive payments through an integrated system accessible via web and mobile application.
“It supports a wide range of product categories, including electronics, household goods, fashion, beauty products, groceries and locally manufactured merchandise. Coordinated delivery services and customer support are also integrated into the system,”he stressed.
Buganda Prime Ministe Charles Peter Mayiga described the new technology as gold and oil in previous centuries.
“Technology is the gold and oil of the current times,” Mayiga said, noting that even resource-rich economies now depend on information and communication technology (ICT) to extract and market their resources.
“with over 70 percent of Uganda’s population comprising young people, digital platforms such as Kibuga Online are timely interventions,”he emphasized.
Mayiga said the kingdom could not afford to be left behind in the global shift toward e-commerce, emphasizing the convenience offered by online shopping, particularly in an era of growing smartphone and internet penetration.
Newton Kalera, Board Chairperson of Kibuga Investments Limited, described the initiative as a milestone in aligning Buganda’s heritage with digital transformation.
He said the platform represents a strategic step toward economic empowerment and youth inclusion, adding that it will help bridge the gap between producers and consumers while creating employment opportunities.