The GROW project aims to increase access to entrepreneurial services that enable female entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises in targeted locations, including host and refugee communities.

The project also aims to holistically tackle some of the structural barriers hindering the growth of women-owned businesses including financial inclusion, business development services, and mindset change to ensure the effective participation of women in the development process.

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is proud to announce the second Annual “PSFU Women’s Katale”

This annual event, Women Katale Season, in honor of International Women’s Day, is organized by PSFU in collaboration with Mastercard’s Young Africa Works (YAW) initiative. It is slated for 10^th-11^th March 2023, Friday and Saturday, at the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) Multi-purpose Hall, Kampla. This years’ Katale will be graced by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, as Guest of Honor

The Women’s Day Katale is intended to recognize the contribution and potential of women and girls as entrepreneurs. It portrays the synergistic partnerships between private-sector key players and development partners like Mastercard Foundation in driving social impact and positive economic changes 

(L-R) Mr. Angella Bageine, PSFU Board Member representing the Small and Medium Enterprises, PSFU Chief Programmes and Projects Officer Ms.Damali Ssali, and Ms. Joan M. Nabukalu, Category Manager Hair at Movit Uganda on a panel discussion during the launch of Women’s Day Katale at the PSFU Secretariat on Monday 6^th 2023 in Kampala  

The Private Sector Foundation and Enabel Uganda- The Belgian Development Agency officials met with the first batch of employers to share and revive feedback on the progress of the Work Readiness Program under the Skills and Governance project at Fairway Hotel, Kampala. The project, among other things, seeks to address gaps in employability and productivity of young graduates from Universities not more than two years after their graduation, to be placed at various companies for at least six months as employees to gain workplace hands-on experience, and support transition to full employment.

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda has held a consultative engagement with different stakeholders in the private sector to discuss the adverse effects of illicit trade on the Ugandan economy at Kampala Serena Hotel

Mr. Issa Sekitto, a board member who had represented the Chairman board PSFU Mr. Humphrey Nzeyi,  said that manufacturers are among the most severely affected by illicit trade through brand erosion, loss of reputation, loss of sales, reduction of market share, closure of factories, and unfair competition

The PSFU illicit trade dialogue resolved to among other things establish a public-private sector-led technical working group that will guide policymakers on legal/policy framework to profile illicit products in the country and set out an enforcement framework including naming and shaming

The dialogue was attended by among others Uganda Breweries Limited, British American Tobacco, Movit, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Uganda Revenue Authority, etc.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), together with Endiiro Coffee company and supported by the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 in the city of Portland, Oregon. The Expo, the largest coffee event in North America, took place from 20th – 23rd April 2023 and was hosted at the Oregon Convention Center. Over 20 Uganda coffee growers, traders, roasters, and industry practitioners attended.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), together with Endiiro Coffee company and supported by the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 in the city of Portland, Oregon. The Expo, the largest coffee event in North America, took place from 20th – 23rd April 2023 and was hosted at the Oregon Convention Center. Over 20 Uganda coffee growers, traders, roasters, and industry practitioners attended.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), together with Endiiro Coffee company and supported by the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 in the city of Portland, Oregon. The Expo, the largest coffee event in North America, took place from 20th – 23rd April 2023 and was hosted at the Oregon Convention Center. Over 20 Uganda coffee growers, traders, roasters, and industry practitioners attended.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), together with Endiiro Coffee company and supported by the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 in the city of Portland, Oregon. The Expo, the largest coffee event in North America, took place from 20th – 23rd April 2023 and was hosted at the Oregon Convention Center. Over 20 Uganda coffee growers, traders, roasters, and industry practitioners attended.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), together with Endiiro Coffee company and supported by the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 in the city of Portland, Oregon. The Expo, the largest coffee event in North America, took place from 20th – 23rd April 2023 and was hosted at the Oregon Convention Center. Over 20 Uganda coffee growers, traders, roasters, and industry practitioners attended.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), together with Endiiro Coffee company and supported by the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 in the city of Portland, Oregon. The Expo, the largest coffee event in North America, took place from 20th – 23rd April 2023 and was hosted at the Oregon Convention Center. Over 20 Uganda coffee growers, traders, roasters, and industry practitioners attended.

The Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), together with Endiiro Coffee company and supported by the Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), participated in the Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 in the city of Portland, Oregon. The Expo, the largest coffee event in North America, took place from 20th – 23rd April 2023 and was hosted at the Oregon Convention Center. Over 20 Uganda coffee growers, traders, roasters, and industry practitioners attended.

PSFU partners with Buganda Kingdom to create jobs for youth.

April 4, 2023, BULANGE: The Private Sector Foundation Uganda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Buganda Kingdom and the Kampala Domestic Stores (KDS) which is a lead firm under Enhancing Lead Firm Structures- a MasterCard foundation-funded project and implemented by PSFU. The Deputy Prime Minister of Buganda Owek Prof. Twaha K. Kaawaase thanked PSFU for support Kampala Domestic Stores with 1.6 billion to create 3500 decent jobs for young people in coffee Value chain. The kingdom has offered to provide land and other factors to enable the attainment of this objective.

PSFU promotes ISO certification among members
 
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda, through its membership department led the Chief Membership Officer Mr. Francis Kisirinya has organized a workshop in which international experts have trained over 70 PSFU members about the advantages and processes of acquiring an International Organization for Standardization certification at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.  
In his remarks, Mr. Issa Sekitto, a board member representing the Trade and Commerce Sector at PSFU, said that ISO certification will provide a strong basis for the development of national and international regulation, helping save time and reduce barriers to international trade.
The training was further scaled to upcountry centers in Mbale where 40 SMEs were trained and equipped with relevant quality standards for their products.

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda has petitioned Uganda Revenue Authority over delayed cargo clearing in Mombasa. Mr. Keneth Ayebare, a PSFU board member representing the transport and logistics sector asked the commissioner general that containers can be highlighted and be allowed to proceed inland URA depots to avoid traders’ losses because of accumulated storage.
Mr. Ayebare further tasked the tax body to formulate a team of URA officers and private sector representatives in trade and logistics to come up with standard operating procedures that support both revenue collection and facilitate effective trade.
In his closing remarks, Commissioner General Mr. John Musinguzi agreed to spearhead and work out a joint sensitization program with the private sector led by PSFU on major media houses to equip traders with the relevant information

PSFU hosts PACIED

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda Board hosted the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACIED) Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo at the Secretariat in Kampala to discuss possible partnerships for export promotion and value addition of goods and services in the private sector.

Mr. Rwabwogo commended PSFU on championing the growth of the private sector and partnering with government on the integration of markets. PSFU and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACIED) agreed on a partnership to drive the growth of Uganda's exports. He informed the board about export trade representatives in UK, USA, DRC, South Africa, Balkan Region etc.

Export Frontier Fund Launched

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda has signed a Trade Frontier Fund Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat at State House Entebbe
The fund has received $10 million as seed capital from H.E Yoweri Museveni to support exports of coffee, fruits, vegetables, flowers, dairy, grain, beef, poultry, sugar, fish, and tourism.

In her remarks, Vice Chairperson, PSFU Ms. Sarah Kagingo said that as the Private Sector roots for patient capital to build sustainable business models, the Trade Frontier Fund with an initial $10 million seed funding by Government of the Republic of Uganda as strategically guided by President Museveni will, among others, aid exporters underwrite invoices to have more of Ugandan products penetrate international markets

PSFU implements Gender Equality Seal
 
The Private Sector Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MLGSD) has organized a Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme at Hotel African, Kampala
 
The workshop that was meant to engage the private sector to address violence against women and girls, was attended by over 74 members from the private sector which have started on the process of gender equality seal certification.

PSFU’s Director Human Resource Ms Husnah Natukuda, who represented the CEO appreciate the patners such as @UNDPUganda for theor continuous support towards strengthening of private institutions most especially in the areas of Gender Equality, addressing Gender Based Violence and Sexual harassment in the world of work,"

Ms. Angela Bagaine, director SMEs said that there is need for private sector’s involvement to ensure a conducive and sexual harassment-free workplace for both female and male employees. To this end, the private sector’s role in addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV), promoting gender inclusion, women empowerment and contributing to the SDGs cannot be underestimated.
In Uganda, Its only one company – Stanbic Bank that has already attained the gender equality seal.

Coffee Expo in USA Successful

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda and coffee associations of producers, roasters, exporters, and marketers have attended and participated in the 2023 Coffee Conference and Expo in Portland, USA.

Over 20 Ugandan coffee companies and exporters have had an opportunity to exhibit and market their coffee products on an international stage. The PSFU Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stephen Asiimwe who led the private sector delegation said that Uganda's coffee, if produced, packaged, and marketed well, has the potential to compete on the global market.

China-Uganda Investment Economic and Trade Promotion Launched

The Embassy of China in Uganda has organized an investment, economic and trade promotion workshop to showcase and interact business opportunities in both countries at Kampala Serena Hotel.

The Chairman PSFU who was represented by Chief Operating Officer Ms. Grace Gwaku asked Chinese business partners to look out for further opportunities in areas such as mineral development, agro-processing, tourism, pharmaceuticals, paper and paper products, and packaging materials among others. Uganda is land linked with direct ease of access to regional markets across the EAC partner states.

In 2021, Uganda exported $41.2m to China. The main products exported from Uganda to China were Other Oily Seeds ($14.3m), Gelatin ($7.47m), and Coffee ($7.31m). During the last 26 years the exports of Uganda to China have increased at an annualized rate of 25.4%, from $115k in 1995 to $41.2m in 2021.

MasterCard scholars graduates trained

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Learning convening brings together cohort of Makerere 73rd Graduation Alumni to build and strengthen relationships across program teams, reflect together on lessons learned, inspire each other with creativity, and problem-solve any challenges at Royal Suits Bugolobi, Kampala.  

Our Chief of Programmes Ms. Ddamali Ssali encouraged the students of the MCF Scholars Programme to practically apply the key skills such as critical thinking in this week-long summer programme, which is facilitated by PSFU and Makerere University
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program envisions a transformative network of young people and institutions driving inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa.

Opportunities, Challenges, and Interventions to Enhance Ugandan Companies’ Exports to the AfCFTA Market

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) in Partnership with
the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) and the Uganda Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (UNCCI) has hosted Mr.Wamkele Mene the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Secretariat Trade Area at Kampala Serena Hotel

The rationale of this meeting is to highlight to you the opportunities the Ugandan private sector has and the challenges they face while they try to export to the African Market.

Private sector players highlighted what they think are the practical solutions to some of the challenges.

The PSFU CEO Mr. Stephen Asiimwe said that AfCTA is an opportunity for African Countries to trade together, invest together, & sell to each other.

The event was attended by the UNDP Resident Coordinator Ms.Elsie Attafuah, The State Minister of Trade and Cooperatives Hon Francis Mwebesa, The President Chamber of Commerce and Industries Ms. Olive Kigongo, and the private sector players.