Uganda's entrepreneurial landscape is set to come alive as the country joins the worldwide celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2026. The event, scheduled from November 16 to 21 at Enterprise Uganda's Training Centre in Butabika, Kampala, promises a week filled with networking, practical training, business clinics, and innovation under the theme "The World Needs What You Build."
Building Connections for Growth
Organizers aim to foster connections that can help businesses expand, generate employment, and drive national development. The week-long initiative is locally coordinated by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Uganda in partnership with Enterprise Uganda, Vision Group, and other ecosystem players. It offers entrepreneurs a platform to share experiences, spot business opportunities, and connect with individuals and institutions that can support their ambitions.
Globally, GEW is spearheaded by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The movement reaches entrepreneurs and business communities in over 200 countries and territories through activities, competitions, and events designed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
Key Events and Highlights
Mary Odongo, Managing Director of GEN Uganda, outlined the program's highlights. The main GEW Uganda conference is slated for November 19 and 20, culminating in the Pakasa Forum on November 21, organized in partnership with Vision Group. Odongo emphasized that the program seeks to spotlight entrepreneurs' contribution to economic growth while encouraging business owners to develop sustainable enterprises that respond to market needs. Participating organizations will hold physical, virtual, and hybrid sessions across various areas of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Connecting Entrepreneurs to Opportunities
Odongo further noted that GEW provides a vital platform for showcasing Uganda's entrepreneurship ecosystem and linking business owners with individuals and institutions capable of helping them turn ideas into viable, growing enterprises. Among the people entrepreneurs can meet during the activities are potential funders, mentors, advisers, and fellow business owners whose practical experiences could help them navigate challenges and identify new opportunities.
The event is expected to draw participants from across the country, offering a unique chance to learn, collaborate, and innovate. With Uganda's entrepreneurial spirit on full display, GEW 2026 promises to be a catalyst for growth and development.
