Over 10,000 business to benefit as Busoga Kingdom, PSFU agree new partnership

As part of their joint efforts to support micro, small and medium sized Enterprises, Private Sector Foundation Uganda and Busoga Kingdom have agreed on a partnership that will see over 10,000 Busoga based businesses benefit from capacity building, market networks and patient capital sourcing by PSFU.

This was confirmed at the 2024 PSFU Women's Day Katale held in Jinja over the weekend.

In an official message delivered by the Busoga Kingdom Second Deputy Prime Minister (Katukiiro),  Osman Ahmed Noor, the kingdom noted that it welcomed PSFU and other like-minded individuals to Busoga as this would help fast-track financial inclusion and economic transformation.

“PSFU has committed to support over 10,000 in Busoga Kingdom. To further these engagements, we are going to sign an MOU with PSFU so that we can directly mobilize our people and enlighten them on what is required to benefit from the available opportunities. I now call upon the people of Busoga to be ready and well prepared to benefit from these opportunities,” Noor said.

At-least 70 per cent of the beneficiaries of this partnership will be women and youth as these while they are majority continue to face multifaceted challenges that undermine their potential to succeed.

Running for the third consecutive year, the PSFU Women’s Day Katale is implemented in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.

The Jinja edition attracted more than 250 exhibitors and saw hundreds of people turn up to tour the trade fair, buy products, network and acquire knowledge. More than five business clinics were held during this period.

Art, culture and creatives take centerstage

While the 2024 Katale had exhibitors drawn from several sectors such as agriculture, trade, ICT and value edition, the art, culture and creatives business clinics were the biggest highlight as youth and women turned up to acquire skills on how to succeed in this sub-sector.

Daniel Kazibwe (popularly known as Raga Dee), a board member representing arts and creatives at PSFU, advised young artists to maintain professional boundaries with their managers to avoid conflicts.

"If you are going to support this girl, she should not be your girlfriend. Do not mix business with pleasure. As a girl who wants to make it in the sector, create a line between your business and your pleasure because at the end of the day, the small mistake you make will cost your career," he said.

Ahuurra Andrew, an audio engineer and Managing Director of Quad-A, noted the necessity for more training and awareness initiatives within the creative industry to protect girls and women.

"Our people need training and sensitization. We also need a code of conduct with music promoters and producers. The girls are being used and people are not accountable to anyone," he said.

Other panelists included, Sylvia Kyansuti – Musician, Jovia Lanisha - musician and Rachel Monique - Musician and Teacher.

In her remarks, Damali Ssali, the PSFU chief programs and projects officer noted that the umbrella body of private sector players is aware of the fact that while art and creatives have a lot of potential, they are not receiving the required attention and support.

She noted that PSFU is now deliberately supporting the art, culture and creative sub sector in order to enable it flourish, employ more people and multiple its contribution to the country’s economic development.

The Katale debuted in 2022 in Luweero district while the 2023 edition was held in Kampala. 2024 has been in Jinja with PSFU expected to at a later date communicate the host of the 2025 edition.