Social entrepreneurs in Uganda have launched a new umbrella body, the Federation of Uganda Social Entrepreneurs (FUSE), to demand policy recognition and support from the government — marking what members call a pivotal step toward economic inclusion and national development.
The launch, held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, drew leaders from the Office of the President, the Ministry of Finance, private sector players, and civil society organisations.
Speakers pointed to longstanding frustration over fragmented efforts and the absence of a formal structure for engaging with policymakers, a gap FUSE now seeks to close.
“This is a historic moment,” said Irene Birungi Mugisha, CEO of the Presidential CEO Forum, who served as guest of honour.
“FUSE will drive the future of social entrepreneurship in Uganda. Every impactful enterprise started with just one idea — and this federation is the kind of structure that helps those ideas grow.”
Mugisha commended the federation for giving social entrepreneurs a unified platform and described them as “vehicles of change” whose efforts need to be amplified through policy advocacy.
Representing the Office of the President, Hillary Musoke Kisanja said government welcomes the move, calling social entrepreneurship a missing link in Africa’s development model.
“FUSE offers a way forward, connecting the sector to government in a structured, impactful way,” he said.
“We can no longer afford fragmented action. The sector has energy and potential, but it needs a clear path.”
Social enterprises — ventures that combine business approaches with social impact goals — have been growing in number, yet remain largely informal and under-supported.
Margaret Kakande, who heads the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit at the Ministry of Finance, said the rise of FUSE aligns well with Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, particularly in sectors such as agro-industrialisation, tourism, and digital technology.
“When social enterprises are empowered, they multiply impact where it matters most — in communities,” she said.
“But to move beyond survival mode, they must formalise and position themselves to attract investment and shape national policies.”
Founding member David Luganda said FUSE emerged from the collective frustrations of social innovators who lacked a voice.
“We’ve been working in silos, unable to engage the state meaningfully,” Luganda said. “FUSE is here to unify efforts, push for policy change, and establish legitimacy for social entrepreneurs.”
Entrepreneurs who spoke at the launch raised a range of urgent issues — from funding constraints to burnout — that they hope the federation will help tackle.
Tonny Wamboga, co-founder of Jangu International, said access to capital remains a key barrier.
“Real support starts with listening to entrepreneurs and unlocking the resources they need,” he said.
Social innovation consultant Stella Nakuwuki Lukwago added that many people — including some policymakers — still misunderstand the nature of social enterprise.
“There’s still a lot of confusion about what social entrepreneurship really is,” she said.
“FUSE must help educate the public and policymakers — it’s more than business. It’s a movement for systemic change.”
Sairus Kiggundu, an advocate for agribusiness and rural innovation, said strategy must emerge from the ground, not just from boardrooms.
“Real change comes from engaging those doing the work,” he said. “FUSE needs to remain grounded in the lived realities of social entrepreneurs — otherwise it risks becoming another layer of bureaucracy.”
Waringa Matindi, CEO of Village Energy Limited, spoke candidly about the emotional and psychological toll of social entrepreneurship.
“Many of us are burning out,” she said. “There must be attention to mental health and financial wellbeing. You cannot serve others if you are running on empty.”
Timothy Mugerwa, who is serving as interim president of FUSE, pledged that the federation will be a genuine advocate for the sector.
“We are here to lobby for favourable policies and ensure that social entrepreneurs are no longer sidelined,” Mugerwa said. “We must be part of national development conversations — not just observers.”
The formation of FUSE comes at a time when the government is under pressure to broaden economic participation and address youth unemployment.
With its launch, Uganda’s social entrepreneurs say they are ready to move from the margins into the mainstream of policy, investment, and national planning.