innovation 4 August 2026 Uganda Investment Authority
Young Innovators Learn About Business Compliance at Uganda Investment Authority
Forty student innovators from Makerere University's Startup Hatch 1.0 program visited the Uganda Investment Authority's One-Stop Centre to gain insights into business registration, licensing, and compliance requirements. The visit aimed to equip these emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge needed to navigate the formalization process for their ventures. Source: https://ugandainvest.go.ug/young-innovators-visit-uia-one-stop-centre-to-learn-about-investment-and-business-compliance
On July 31, 2026, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) One-Stop Centre (OSC) welcomed forty student innovators participating in the Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre’s (MIIC) Startup Hatch 1.0 program. This initiative is designed to guide early-stage startups toward becoming market-ready.
The young innovators, representing twenty teams, are preparing to pitch their ideas to investors next month. Their visit to the UIA OSC provided a comprehensive overview of the various government agencies and their roles in supporting new businesses.
During a guided tour led by Josephine Lunkuse, Administrative Assistant at the OSC, the students were introduced to the services offered by ministries like Lands, Housing and Urban Development, crucial for land acquisition. Justine Agaba Kasigwa, Director of the OSC, emphasized that the centre houses approximately fifteen government agencies, offering support from business and tax registration to environmental assessments and product certification.
Fred Kakooza, Deputy Director Operations at the OSC, highlighted UIA’s mandate in promoting investment opportunities and facilitating business growth, including the development of industrial parks and the online business portal, ebiz.go.ug.
Robert Okiror from MIIC explained the centre’s objective to commercialize university innovations and discussed their focus on technology-driven ventures. He noted that compliance and certification are critical components for their startups to achieve market readiness.
Representatives from key agencies shared specific requirements: Esther Nabbuto from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) detailed trade licensing procedures, while Clare Ayebare from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) outlined company registration processes and associated fees. Peter Mayanja of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) stressed the importance of adhering to product standards for local and international trade. Peter Sekajja from the National Environment Management Agency (NEMA) discussed the significance of Environmental Impact Assessments for accessing finance and markets. Alice Molly Dusabe from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) covered tax obligations and highlighted available incentives for approved investors.
The visit proved insightful, with innovators expressing newfound understanding of compliance standards and tax regulations. The UIA OSC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these domestic investors as they formalize their businesses.
Source: Uganda Investment Authority