Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024 Launch: “Entrepreneurship is for Everyone”
GEN Uganda kicked off Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2024 with an engaging launch breakfast at Piato Restaurant in Kampala, marking the start of this year’s celebrations under the theme “Entrepreneurship is for Everyone.” This exclusive gathering brought together prominent partners, ecosystem players, and entrepreneurship advocates committed to creating opportunities for Ugandans to explore and thrive in the world of entrepreneurship.
Hosted by GEN Uganda Board Member Ronald Mukasa, the event provided a valuable platform for networking, collaboration, and planning among Uganda's leading organizations and stakeholders. Participants had the opportunity to connect and discuss how they could contribute to GEW 2024’s mission of making entrepreneurship accessible and impactful across Uganda.
Setting the Stage for Collaboration
The event commenced with a networking breakfast, allowing attendees to share insights and forge meaningful connections. During the opening remarks, Ronald Mukasa highlighted the importance of an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem and introduced the session with an icebreaker that encouraged each participant to share a unique fact about their organization and potential ideas for GEW 2024. This engaging activity set the tone for a collaborative day dedicated to fostering partnerships.
Inspiring Keynote from Mastercard Foundation
A highlight of the launch breakfast was the keynote address from Fred Iga, a representative of the Mastercard Foundation. Speaking to this year’s theme, Iga underscored the Foundation’s dedication to supporting inclusive entrepreneurship across Uganda. His insights into the transformative power of entrepreneurship in lifting communities resonated with the audience and inspired organizations to make a greater impact through their GEW activities.
Figure 1 Mastercard’s Fred Iga
Exploring Collaborative Opportunities for GEW 2024
One of the most impactful sessions was the partner collaboration discussion led by Abid Weere, focusing on areas such as ecosystem strengthening, education, inclusion, and policy advocacy. Partners were encouraged to share ideas on how they could support each other’s initiatives, maximize the reach of GEW 2024, and align their efforts with the overarching theme. The collaborative energy in the room was palpable, with many attendees pledging to join forces for impactful events throughout GEW.
Opportunities for Partners at the GEW Uganda Conference
Abid Weere also highlighted the opportunities available at the upcoming GEW Uganda Conference, including display tables, exhibitions, speaking opportunities, and networking with both local and international stakeholders. GEN Uganda emphasized the importance of aligning all activities with the global theme and branding to unify the message of “Entrepreneurship is for Everyone” and foster engagement among diverse audiences.
During the GEW 2024 Launch, Hafsah Seguya, Domestic Tax Officer at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), represented URA as a partner, emphasizing their commitment to fostering an entrepreneurship-friendly environment. Seguya highlighted URA’s dedication to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by ensuring tax compliance processes are simplified and accessible, particularly for early-stage businesses. She encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage URA’s resources, aimed at empowering business owners with tax knowledge, fostering growth, and contributing to Uganda’s economy. URA’s role as a GEW partner exemplifies their commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive tax system for all entrepreneurs.
figure 2 URA's Seguya at the launch
Representing the Ugandan government, Johnson Abitekaniza, Assistant Commissioner for MSMEs at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, spoke on the importance of celebrating entrepreneurship. He underscored the vital role that entrepreneurs play in driving economic growth and creating jobs, particularly within local communities. Abitekaniza praised GEW as a powerful platform for connecting and empowering entrepreneurs across Uganda, fostering collaboration, and inspiring innovative solutions to national challenges. His remarks reflected the government’s dedication to nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports businesses at every stage, affirming their commitment to Uganda’s entrepreneurial advancement.
Figure 3 Johnson Abitekaniza - Assistant Commissioner MSME - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
Looking Ahead: Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2025
As the event drew to a close, GEN Uganda Chairperson Sam Iga shared the exciting news about the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) 2025, set to take place in Indiana, USA, from June 2nd to 5th. He invited partners to consider representing Uganda’s ecosystem at the international conference, offering access to a select few through complementary codes. The announcement generated enthusiasm among the attendees, further cementing Uganda’s place on the global entrepreneurial stage.
Figure 4 GEN Uganda chairperson Sa Iga
Conclusion
The GEW 2024 Launch Breakfast was a powerful start to the year’s celebrations, with partners committed to hosting events that will make entrepreneurship accessible to all Ugandans. Through meaningful discussions, inspiring speeches, and strategic networking, GEN Uganda set the stage for a dynamic Global Entrepreneurship Week in November. As Uganda joins over 170 countries in celebrating GEW, it’s clear that entrepreneurship, truly, is for everyone.
