SEATINI, FSME and Other Partners Hold the First-ever MSME Week 2022:

According to Uganda’s National Development Plan 3, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) collectively constitute about 90% of private sector production and employ over. 2.5 million people.

SEATINI Uganda in partnership with the Federation for Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME) and other entities organized the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Week 2022.

MSMEs collectively constitute about 90% of private sector production and employ over. 2.5 million people.
The MSME Week was aimed at celebrating innovation and the contribution of MSMEs in Uganda to Uganda’s economic Development.

The MSME Week that took place from 20th – 23rd July 2022 brought together over 200 exhibitors and brought together over 1000 stakeholders including MSMEs and start-up entrepreneurs, Business Support Organizations, Financial Service Providers, representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The MSME Week was officially launched by Hon. Mutabazi Harriet, the State Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives.

While giving his remarks, Mr Kaggwa Moses, the Acting Director, Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance noted that MSMEs are experiencing a low turnover in their businesses which is limiting their growth and development. He also noted that there is a special tax regime that is being tailored to help MSMEs build and sustain their businesses.

During the MSME Week, SEATINI organized a session on enhancing the readiness of MSMEs to tap into national, regional and global markets. This session focused on the unique challenges that curtail MSMEs from utilizing various markets. Key among such challenges is failure to comply with requisite standards at national, regional and global levels. Infact, even at national level, there is still low utilization of available markets.

Ms Joanita Nassuna, SEATINI Uganda Program Officer, Women Economic Justice implored MSMEs to interest themselves in the ongoing negotiations under the AfCFTA and to share their views and shape the different protocols are still being negotiated.

While participating in a panel discussion, SEATINI Uganda Programs and Communications Manager, Mr Herbert Kafeero observed that despite the fact that trading under the AfCFTA started in January 2021, there is no trade in goods yet under the AfCFTA regime.

The MSME Week provided a platform for MSMEs to share their experiences including the challenges they continue to face. MSMEs were also able to engage with policy makers from different Government MDAs.