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Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Minister of State for Gender and Culture Mary Kamuli Kuteesa has urged Ugandans to support local entrepreneurs by buying their products, saying domestic demand is critical to helping small businesses grow and create jobs.
When asked about the government’s strategy to connect local entrepreneurs supported by Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL) to the government supplier database, Kuteesa said: “This is a responsibility for everyone. Let’s buy from our local entrepreneurs. Buy Uganda-Build Uganda.”
Speaking at the graduation of 106 women and youth-led green enterprises under the Stanbic GreenTech Accelerator and Incubation Programme in Kampala on Sept.18, Kuteesa said government programmes such as the Youth Livelihood Programme, Parish Development Model and GROW were creating new avenues for entrepreneurs to access capital and skills.
“These are innovative ways to access capital,” she said, adding that entrepreneurs also needed mindset skilling and better access to markets.
Kuteesa encouraged graduates to remain resilient, maintain honesty with customers and continue learning from one another as they build businesses and create jobs.
“Be resilient. Do not give up. Keep going. Keep working harder, smarter. And let’s keep Uganda green and create decent jobs,” she said.
The two-year GreenTech programme was launched in 2025 with support from the Embassy of France in Uganda through a €450,000 grant, with total programme investment estimated at about Shs2.9 billion. It targets 200 women and youth-led green enterprises in the Kampala Metropolitan Area and Hoima.
Mark Ocitti Ongom, Chief Executive of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL), said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to sustainable economic growth.
“The Embassy of France is interested in sustainable growth for Uganda. We, on the other hand, call Uganda home and are committed to driving her growth,” Ongom said.
He said Stanbic Bank, SUHL’s anchor subsidiary, had about Shs400 billion available in financing for women and youth.
French Ambassador Virginie Leroy said entrepreneurs would play a critical role in delivering sustainable economic growth while addressing climate-related challenges.
Several beneficiaries who spoke to The Independent said the programme had strengthened their corporate governance practices and better positioned their businesses to pursue future growth opportunities.
