Kampala, Uganda — 14 October 2026. The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Uganda, in collaboration with Enterprise Uganda, convened entrepreneurship support organisations, business leaders and representatives from the public and private sectors at the Enterprise Uganda BDS Centre of Excellence in Butabika for the official launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Uganda 2026.
The launch breakfast marked the beginning of preparations for this year's national entrepreneurship celebration, scheduled for 16–22 November 2026, under the global theme “The World Needs What You Build” and Uganda's local campaign message, “Entrepreneurs Thrive Here.”
The gathering provided a platform for partners and stakeholders to reconnect, reflect on previous GEW activities and explore opportunities for collaboration in strengthening Uganda's entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Building an Ecosystem Where Entrepreneurs Thrive
At the heart of GEW Uganda 2026 is a commitment to creating an environment where entrepreneurs can access the knowledge, networks, mentorship and institutional support they need to establish, sustain and grow successful businesses.
The launch brought together stakeholders from across Uganda's Business Development Services (BDS) ecosystem, reinforcing the importance of collaboration among entrepreneurship support organisations, government institutions, financial service providers, universities, development partners and the private sector.
Through the campaign message “Entrepreneurs Thrive Here,” GEN Uganda is encouraging stakeholders to move beyond celebrating entrepreneurship to actively supporting the individuals and businesses driving innovation, employment creation, productivity and economic growth.
The global theme, “The World Needs What You Build,” recognises the contribution entrepreneurs make through the businesses they establish, the solutions they develop and the opportunities they create for their communities.
For Uganda, this message aligns with the country's ambition to accelerate enterprise development, strengthen domestic production and expand the contribution of entrepreneurs and MSMEs to the national economy.
A Call for Partnerships and Collective Action
A central focus of the launch was the mobilisation of partners to participate in GEW Uganda 2026 through independently organised activities, joint initiatives and collaborative entrepreneurship programmes.
GEN Uganda is inviting entrepreneurship support organisations, universities, corporate institutions, government agencies, business associations and development partners to contribute to the week's activities by hosting workshops, business masterclasses, mentorship sessions, networking engagements and other initiatives that provide practical value to entrepreneurs.
These partnerships are essential to extending the reach of GEW beyond a single conference venue and ensuring that entrepreneurship support is accessible to diverse communities and business sectors.
By connecting organisations with complementary expertise and resources, GEW Uganda seeks to strengthen relationships across the entrepreneurship ecosystem and create more opportunities for entrepreneurs to learn, connect and grow.
Building Momentum Towards the Global Entrepreneurship Conference
The launch also set the stage for the Global Entrepreneurship Conference Uganda 2026, scheduled for 19–20 November 2026 at the Enterprise Uganda BDS Centre of Excellence in Butabika, Kampala.
The conference will bring together entrepreneurs, established business leaders, industry experts and stakeholders from across Uganda's business community for practical discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing enterprises.
Key conversations will explore family business governance and succession, credit and loan management, business continuity and sustainability, and real estate and property investment.
The programme is designed to give entrepreneurs access to practical business knowledge, opportunities to engage with experienced industry players and valuable connections within Uganda's wider business ecosystem.
The main conference will be followed by the PAKASA Forum on 21 November 2026, organised in partnership with Vision Group, extending the conversations on entrepreneurship, enterprise growth and business opportunities.
Participation in the main Global Entrepreneurship Conference will be free.
The World Needs What You Build
As Uganda prepares to join countries around the world in celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week, GEN Uganda is calling on entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders to recognise the important role of enterprise development in shaping the country's economic future.
Whether through creating jobs, developing innovative solutions, building family businesses, expanding into new markets or supporting emerging entrepreneurs, every contribution strengthens Uganda's entrepreneurial landscape.
GEW Uganda 2026 provides an opportunity to celebrate these contributions while connecting entrepreneurs to the people, knowledge and institutions that can support their next stage of growth.
The world needs what you build. And in Uganda, entrepreneurs thrive here.
Join Global Entrepreneurship Week Uganda 2026
Global Entrepreneurship Week Uganda 2026 will take place from 16–22 November, with the main Global Entrepreneurship Conference on 19–20 November at the Enterprise Uganda BDS Centre of Excellence, Butabika, and the PAKASA Forum on 21 November, in partnership with Vision Group.
GEN Uganda welcomes entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship support organisations, universities, government institutions, businesses and development partners to participate in the activities and contribute to building a stronger entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Become a GEW Uganda 2026 Partner: https://forms.gle/JoqL56XxHobhtkN76
