Uganda Calls for Stronger Policy Support to Unlock Startup Growth

Uganda’s ability to turn innovation into sustainable businesses, jobs and economic growth will depend on addressing the policy and business environment constraints facing startups, the government has said.

Dr. Stephen Mbogo Kirya, representing the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC), said emerging enterprises continue to face significant challenges, including difficulties with business formalisation, the high cost of doing business, stiff competition and inadequate incentives to support their growth.

He made the remarks at the opening of Uganda Innovation Week 2026, where government, private sector players and development partners convened to examine what it will take to strengthen Uganda’s innovation ecosystem over the next decade.

Held under the theme Uganda Innovates: Building the Innovation Ecosystem for the Next Decade, the five-day event is organised by Startup Uganda, a platform that brings together Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs) to strengthen coordination and support for the country’s startup ecosystem.

The conversations are particularly relevant as Uganda implements its Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which places emphasis on enterprise development, wealth creation, employment and economic transformation. A stronger innovation ecosystem is expected to contribute to these ambitions by supporting businesses to develop solutions, access markets and scale their operations.

Dr. Kirya acknowledged that Uganda’s innovation ecosystem remains at an early stage of development, requiring concerted efforts from government and other stakeholders to address the constraints facing emerging businesses and create an environment in which they can establish themselves, grow and compete.

Teddy Ruge, Chair of the Uganda Innovation Week 2026 Committee, described the week as an important platform for innovators, partners and other ecosystem actors to engage on the conditions required to advance homegrown innovation. He highlighted financing, policy and collaboration as key areas requiring collective attention.

Rachel Athiono, Coordinator of Startup Uganda, emphasised the importance of connecting different parts of the ecosystem and ensuring that policies and support systems respond to the actual needs of enterprises. She noted that startups require more than isolated support initiatives; they need access to the resources, institutional networks and opportunities that enable them to develop and grow.

Nicolas Oebel, Country Director of Enabel Uganda, reinforced the need for a coordinated approach, noting that isolated interventions are insufficient to address the complex challenges facing entrepreneurs. He emphasised that the value of innovation should ultimately be measured by the tangible socio-economic benefits it delivers, rather than simply the number of ideas generated or initiatives supported.

Throughout the week, startups and entrepreneurs will have opportunities to connect with potential customers, investors, strategic partners, government institutions and other ecosystem enablers. 

The programme will also create space for discussions on persistent barriers to innovation-led growth, particularly access to finance, market opportunities, supportive policies and the skills needed to build sustainable businesses.