PSFU Participates in the 2026 STACON Meeting in Dar es Salaam

Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) participated in the 2026 Stakeholders Consultative Committee (STACON) Meeting, which commenced on Monday, 20 April 2026, at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam,  Tanzania. The high-level meeting convened a broad range of stakeholders from Central Corridor Member States, including government officials, private sector representatives, development partners, and corridor institutions, to deliberate on strategic interventions aimed at improving trade facilitation and transport efficiency across the region.

The Central Corridor remains a critical trade artery linking the hinterland countries of East and Central Africa to the Port of Dar es Salaam. As such, STACON serves as a key platform for reviewing performance, identifying bottlenecks, and aligning policy and operational priorities to ensure the corridor remains competitive, efficient, and responsive to the evolving needs of regional trade.

Uganda’s delegation was led by Mr. James Mawa from the Ministry of Works and Transport, alongside representatives from key government agencies involved in trade, infrastructure, and logistics. Their participation reflects Uganda’s continued commitment to strengthening regional integration and enhancing the movement of goods and services through the corridor.

PSFU was represented at the meeting by Dr. Julius Byaruhanga, Director of Policy and Business Development, and Ms. Husnah Natukundah, representing the CEO, Mr. Stephen Asiimwe. Through its participation, PSFU is amplifying the voice of Uganda’s private sector, ensuring that business perspectives and practical challenges are integrated into regional policy discussions and implementation frameworks.

Deliberations on the first day of the meeting focused on several critical areas. These included a review of the 2025 Central Corridor Transport Observatory Performance Report, which provides data-driven insights into key performance indicators such as transit times, costs, and efficiency levels along the corridor. Updates were also presented on the Joint Annual Route Assessment Survey, highlighting persistent bottlenecks and progress made in addressing non-tariff barriers.

In addition, stakeholders received updates on major infrastructure and safety initiatives, including the Lake Tanganyika and Lake Kivu Navigation Safety Projects, which are aimed at improving maritime safety and boosting trade across inland waterways. Discussions also covered the ongoing railway survey along the TAZARA line, a strategic infrastructure component with significant potential to enhance multimodal transport and reduce the cost of freight movement across the region.

The discussions underscored a shared commitment among stakeholders to accelerate reforms and investments that will improve corridor performance. Key priority areas include reducing logistics costs, shortening transit times, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and strengthening coordination among border agencies to facilitate seamless cross-border trade.

PSFU continues to advocate for a more efficient and predictable trade environment, emphasizing the importance of public-private dialogue in addressing systemic challenges. The Foundation is also championing policies that support increased private sector participation in infrastructure development and service delivery, as well as the adoption of digital solutions to streamline trade processes.

As the STACON meeting progresses, PSFU remains actively engaged in shaping outcomes that will contribute to a more integrated, competitive, and business-friendly regional trade ecosystem, ultimately supporting Uganda’s economic growth and the broader development of the Central Corridor.

PSFU Champions Deeper Uganda–China Investment Partnerships at High-Level Conference

Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), on Tuesday 21^st April, played a central role in advancing Uganda–China economic cooperation at the Uganda–China Investment Conference held at Mestil Hotel Kampala. The high-level engagement convened a diverse delegation of Chinese investors, Ugandan private sector players, and government representatives, creating a strategic platform for dialogue, deal-making, and long-term partnership building.

Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uganda in collaboration with the Uganda Consulate in Guangzhou, the conference focused on unlocking practical pathways for trade expansion, investment flows, and industrial collaboration between the two countries. The event also showcased Uganda’s investment-ready sectors through exhibitions and targeted engagements mobilised by PSFU, reinforcing the country’s positioning as a competitive and reliable investment destination in Africa.

Speaking at the conference, PSFU CEO Stephen Asiimwe underscored the importance of structured Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements and joint ventures as the foundation for sustainable economic cooperation. He noted that beyond high-level discussions, deliberate efforts must be made to connect enterprises, facilitate technology transfer, and promote value addition in key sectors. “This event calls for Business-to-Business engagements and joint ventures between the two countries if we are to realise a win-win situation,” he stated.

Asiimwe further highlighted Uganda’s strong comparative advantage in agriculture, with particular emphasis on coffee. He called on Chinese investors to tap into Uganda’s high-quality coffee value chain, noting the country’s capacity not only in production but also in processing and export. His remarks positioned coffee as a strategic entry point for broader agro-industrial investment and collaboration between Uganda and China.

The conference also provided an opportunity for direct interaction between Chinese investors and Ugandan enterprises, fostering trust, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of bankable projects. Participants engaged in discussions around improving market access, strengthening supply chains, and aligning investment priorities with Uganda’s national development agenda.

In her closing remarks, Judyth Nsababera, Consul General of the Uganda Consulate in Guangzhou, commended the Chinese delegation for their strong interest in Uganda and their willingness to engage beyond the conference setting. She noted that their visit to various parts of the country reflects growing confidence in Uganda’s investment potential and reiterated the Consulate’s commitment to facilitating deeper bilateral trade and investment linkages.

The Uganda–China Investment Conference marks another significant step in strengthening economic diplomacy between the two countries, with PSFU reaffirming its role as a key bridge between government and the private sector in driving inclusive and sustainable investment partnerships.

PSFU, ITC Onboard Business Development Service Providers onto MSME Financing Gateway

Tuesday, March 3rd | Kampala, Uganda

Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), held a comprehensive onboarding session for Business Development Service (BDS) providers onto the MSME Financing Gateway, yesterday, Tuesday, March 3rd. The session, taking place at Protea Hotel Naguru Skyz, has attracted more than 40 BDS providers from across the country.

The onboarding initiative is aimed at equipping BDS providers with the knowledge and tools required to effectively utilize the MSME Financing Gateway — a digital platform designed to bridge the financing gap for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda.

During the session, participants are being guided through how the platform operates, the step-by-step registration process, and the range of benefits available to them and the enterprises they support. The Gateway serves as a centralized access point linking MSMEs to financial institutions, tailored financial products, and critical business support services.

The training is being led by PSFU’s Manager for Member Services, Ronny Mulongo, alongside Outreach Manager Florence Mambea. The two officials emphasized the central role BDS providers play in strengthening enterprise capacity and ensuring MSMEs meet the standards required to secure financing.

“This platform is designed to simplify and streamline access to finance for MSMEs,” Mulongo noted. “By onboarding BDS providers, we are strengthening the ecosystem that prepares businesses to become investment-ready and bankable.”

Mulongo also reassured participants about the safety and confidentiality of their information on the platform. He emphasized that robust data protection measures have been integrated into the system to safeguard users’ personal and organizational data. He assured the BDS providers in attendance that their information would be securely stored and only used for its intended purpose within the framework of the Gateway.

“We understand that trust is critical when it comes to digital platforms,” he said. “We want to assure you that your personal data and institutional information are protected, and the system has been designed with strong security protocols to ensure confidentiality and integrity.”

Florence Mambea highlighted the Gateway’s role in improving visibility and coordination among ecosystem players. She explained that the platform not only connects enterprises to financiers but also enables BDS providers to showcase their services, expand their networks, and better support clients seeking capital.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Juliet Musoke, International Coordinator for the EU-MARKUP II programme funded by the European Union, reaffirmed ITC’s commitment to supporting participants beyond the onboarding phase. She assured attendees that the ITC will provide continuous guidance and technical support through the platform.

“Our objective is to ensure that BDS providers are fully empowered to use this Gateway as a tool to unlock financial opportunities for MSMEs,” Musoke said. “Through sustained support under the EU-MARKUP II programme, we aim to position enterprises more strategically to access funding from financial institutions.”

The MSME Financing Gateway forms part of broader efforts to enhance financial inclusion and strengthen Uganda’s private sector competitiveness. By bringing BDS providers onto the platform, PSFU and ITC are reinforcing a collaborative approach to improving enterprise readiness, reducing information asymmetry, and facilitating sustainable access to finance.

The onboarding session marks a significant step toward building a more coordinated and digitally enabled business support ecosystem, with stakeholders optimistic that the initiative will accelerate MSME growth and resilience across Uganda.

LNOB RBF Project Ends on High Note with Over 8400 Households Gaining Access to Solar Energy

Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with GIZ Energising Development (EnDev) Uganda, on Thursday 29th January, officially concluded the Leave No One Behind Results-Based Financing (LNOB RBF) Project at the GIZ Offices in Kololo, Kampala.

The PSFU delegation, led by CEO Stephen Asiimwe, alongside LNOB RBF Project Manager Apollo Muyanja Mbaziira and DSRBF Project Manager Francis Kajura, was commended for the successful implementation of the initiative, which has significantly expanded clean energy access among underserved communities.

Working with private solar energy companies, the project enabled 8,407 households to gain access to renewable solar power, achieving 95% of its target - a milestone that underscores the private sector’s critical role in last-mile energy delivery.

Un Young Yong, Head of Project at EnDev Uganda, applauded the partnership and the project’s tangible impact, noting Uganda’s strong performance under the programme.

“The LNOB RBF project demonstrates how results-based financing can effectively unlock private sector potential to reach communities that are often left behind. Uganda’s success story is why the country remains among those selected to continue under the initiative,” he said.

PSFU CEO Stephen Asiimwe emphasized that the next phase of energy access must go beyond lighting to economic transformation.

“Access to solar energy should now move from basic lighting to productive use - powering small businesses, Agro-processing, and other income-generating activities. That is how energy access translates into real household income growth and sustainable livelihoods,” Asiimwe noted.

LNOB RBF Project Manager Apollo Muyanja Mbaziira highlighted the operational success and collaboration behind the results.

“This achievement reflects strong coordination between PSFU, EnDev, and our private sector partners who worked tirelessly to reach last-mile communities. Beyond the numbers, we have seen real changes in households - improved safety, better learning conditions for children, and reduced reliance on unsafe lighting sources,” Mbaziira said.

The LNOB RBF Project has played a pivotal role in expanding clean energy solutions, improving safety, enhancing children’s study conditions, and driving socio-economic progress in hard-to-reach communities - reaffirming the power of strategic partnerships in advancing inclusive development.