Introduction
The GEW Uganda 2025 Conference was a powerful demonstration of national economic commitment, drawing a formidable assembly of over 1,700 attendees to the National BDS Centre of Excellence in Butabika. The two-day forum achieved critical mass, successfully convening the entire ecosystem required for rapid industrial growth: from ambitious business people and BDS service providers to high-level government officials, policy architects, bankers, and investors. This unprecedented convergence solidified the event not merely as a celebration of entrepreneurship, but as the premier platform for actionable policy dialogue and strategic alignment necessary to fuel Uganda’s ambitious 10X growth agenda.
Day 1 – 20th November 2025
Theme: Together We Build – MSMEs and the 10-Fold Growth Strategy
Morning Arrival & Partner Reflections
The day opened with arrival, registration and networking, giving participants the chance to reconnect, share expectations, and interact with partners over breakfast.
A Partner Moment reflected on lessons from GEW 2024, reminding the audience that GEW is a multi-year journey of learning and ecosystem building, not just a one-off event.
Framing the Conference: Why 10-Fold Growth?
The welcome remarks from the GEN Uganda leadership – the Managing Director of GEN Uganda – Mary Odongo set the tone: Uganda needs entrepreneurs who can scale impactfully, and this requires a mix of policy support, BDS, finance, and mindset shifts.
This was followed by “Why the 10-Fold Growth Strategy: What MSMEs Need to Know”, delivered by Rosemary Mutyabule – Director Business Advisory & Partnerships. She unpacked how the national 10-fold growth ambition translates into practical implications for MSMEs and why productivity, formalisation, and innovation matter.
Together Women Build: Opportunity, Partnerships and Challenges
One of the signature Day 1 sessions was the “Together Women Build” panel, moderated by Rosemary Mutyabule. The panel featured:
- Jane Baine – Sleek and Slender / Candeza Residence
- Yvonne Ahimbisibwe – Shwanda Kollection
- Estella Kabagaya – Mama Children’s Village Ltd
- Maggie Karumu, Chief Credit Officer at DFCU Bank
Each entrepreneur shared her journey of building a business in Uganda — the opportunities they seized, the partnerships that helped them scale, and the persistent barriers women entrepreneurs still face. The discussion highlighted issues like access to finance, balancing caregiving responsibilities, and the importance of role models.
The panel reinforced the conference’s focus on women-led business growth and connected directly to the broader 10X narrative: Uganda cannot achieve tenfold growth if women are left behind.
Agribusiness Panel: Fiction vs Facts
The Agribusiness Panel tackled one of Uganda’s most talked-about sectors. Under the theme “Fiction vs Facts: Where is the Money in Agribusiness?” and moderated by Sam Iga – the Chairperson of GEN Uganda - Board, the session brought together:
- Simple Wagaba – Dairy Farmer
- Gerald Katabazi – Volcano Coffee
- Apollo Segawa – CURAD
- CWED representative
Speakers challenged myths around “quick money” in agriculture, emphasising value addition, patient capital, and market-driven production. Participants gained a more grounded understanding of risk, seasonality, and the role of agribusiness incubators.
Achieving 10X Growth: Enterprise Uganda Perspective
After a short networking break, Enterprise Uganda Executive Director Charles Ocici led a deep-dive session titled “Together We Build: Achieving 10X Growth.” Drawing on decades of experience with Ugandan MSMEs, he outlined key pillars for scaling: mindset, systems, formalisation, customer focus, and continuous learning.
This keynote linked the 10-fold growth strategy directly to Enterprise Uganda’s practical BDS work with entrepreneurs across the country.
Official Opening & Government Opportunities
A defining feature of GEW Uganda 2025 was the strong presence of government economic leadership at the flagship GEW Conference, hosted at the Enterprise Uganda Centre of Excellence in Butabika.
Guest of Honour – Hon. Evelyn Anite
The conference was officially opened by Hon. Evelyn Anite, State Minister of Finance for Investment & Privatisation. Her presence signalled clear government recognition of entrepreneurship as a national priority.
Hon. Anite emphasised that:
- Everyday entrepreneurs are at the heart of Uganda’s economy
- Government’s investment and privatisation agenda is deeply connected to the success of MSMEs
- Public and private actors must work together to unlock opportunities for local enterprises.
Her remarks reinforced the idea that GEW is not just a celebration, but a platform for policy dialogue and mutual accountability between entrepreneurs and government.
Tenfold Growth Strategy – Joseph Enyimu
The conversation on policy was deepened by Joseph Enyimu, Commissioner, Economic Development Policy & Research at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED).
In his session on the Tenfold Growth Strategy, he:
- Broke down the national 10-fold growth targets and what they mean for Uganda’s economic trajectory
- Explained how entrepreneurs can strategically plug into policy-driven opportunities, such as priority sectors and government programmes
- Stressed the centrality of collaboration with the statement:
Afternoon Tourism & Taxation Sessions
In the afternoon, focus shifted to tourism under “The Tourism Gems: Opportunity in the Tourism Sector,” moderated by Johnson Abitekaniza from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Panelists included:
- Brian Namanya – CEO, Tubayo Uganda
- Francis Nyenda – Uganda Tourism Board
- Dr. Gudula Basaza – Agro Tourism
- Chris Mukama – Sports Tourism
Discussion centred on how tourism, agro-tourism, and sports tourism can drive jobs and regional development when entrepreneurs invest in quality experiences, digital marketing, and partnerships.
A parallel Taxation Masterclass led by Mark Nsubuga offered practical guidance on navigating tax obligations, an area many MSMEs struggle with.
The day ended with an “Ask Ocici” session, giving entrepreneurs space to pose direct questions about their business challenges and receive practical advice from Enterprise Uganda’s ED.
Day 2 – 21st November 2025
Theme: Finance, Technology and the Future of MSMEs
Morning Recap & Partner Moment
Financial Services Panel
The Financial Services Panel, moderated by Noah Wandera, gave a 360-degree view of Uganda’s financing landscape. Panelists included:
- David Kaweesi – Investment Manager, aBi
- Representative from Centenary Bank – GM Agriculture, Microfinance & SMEs
- Richard Mwebesa – GM Business Development, Britam
- Dickson Ssembuya – Director Research and Market Development, Capital Markets Authority
The conversation moved beyond product pitching to focus on what financiers look for in SMEs, how entrepreneurs can prepare financial records, and why governance and compliance matter for investment readiness.
My Business Journey: Starting Small
In “My Business Journey: The Power of Starting Small,” Justus Nuwajuna shared a candid story of building a business step by step. His reflections reminded participants that scale begins with small, consistent, disciplined action, grounded in clear value for customers.
Compliance as a Growth Driver
The Compliance Panel, moderated by ABSA Bank’s Albert ByaruhaByaruhanga, featured:
- Hafsah Seguya – Tax Literacy Officer
- Sarah Chelangat – Partner, Ernst & Young
- Zeuse Kizza – Director General, URSB
The panel reframed compliance — tax, registration, accounting — as an enabler of growth, not just a legal burden. Entrepreneurs learned how formalisation opens doors to contracts, finance, and partnerships.
Family Business & Succession
Later in the day, a Family Business session moderated by Enterprise Uganda’s Rosemary Mutyabule explored the realities of succession:
- Don Bugingo from Aloesha Organics shared his experience taking over a family business.
- Dr. Maggie Kigozi offered advice on navigating generational expectations and career choices.
This segment resonated strongly with participants managing family-owned enterprises across Uganda.
Tourism, Education & Innovation
A One-on-One with tourism entrepreneur Amos Wekesa highlighted the untapped potential of tourism as Uganda’s “hidden gem,”,
followed by an Education/Innovation Panel featuring FundiBots, Junior Achievement, Boundless Minds, and Refactory’s Michael Niyitegaka. The panel explored how education and skills programmes are building a pipeline of future-ready entrepreneurs.
Impact & Takeaways
Across two intensive days, the GEW Uganda 2025 Conference:
- Connected over 1700 entrepreneurs with policymakers, financiers, and ecosystem leaders
- Demystified national strategies like the 10-fold growth agenda
- Showed that women, youth, and family businesses are central to Uganda’s economic story
- Positioned compliance, AI, and innovation as essential tools for future-ready enterprises.
The conversations set the stage for Day 3’s Pakasa Forum, where media, BDS and entrepreneurs came together to continue the national dialogue on opportunities and ideas for growing business.