MBALE, Uganda – August 19, 2025. The entrepreneurial spirit of Mbale came alive on Tuesday as Equity Bank Uganda rolled out its first regional edition of the TUPANGE Business Ne Equity Forum, following a successful launch in Kampala last week. The event, themed “Financing Integrated Value Chains and SME Growth,” attracted more than 500 small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, innovators, and business leaders eager to explore new avenues for growth.
The forum provided a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and practical discussions on how SMEs can scale through collaboration, access to finance, and integration into value chains.
Building Businesses through Collaboration
One of the most inspiring sessions came from Mr. Saleh Naminya, Managing Director of Casa Uganda Safaris & Lodges, who transitioned from teaching into tourism. He shared how his business thrives through partnerships with local farmers, transporters, and artisans.
“No business stands alone,” Naminya emphasized. “My lodges rely on farmers for coffee, carpenters for furniture, and drivers for guest transport. Equity Bank’s value chain financing helps us build trust and unlock opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach.”
He cited a case where a coffee supplier fulfilled a 50-ton order thanks to timely financing, underscoring how access to credit can turn potential into profit.
Equity Bank’s Commitment to SMEs
Welcoming participants from across Eastern Uganda, Mr. Claver Serumaga, Executive Director of Commercial Banking at Equity Bank Uganda, reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to nurturing entrepreneurship.
“SMEs are the engine of our economy, creating seven out of every ten jobs globally,” Serumaga said. “When SMEs succeed, the entire nation prospers.”
He highlighted Equity’s financial solutions, including unsecured supplier financing worth UGX 1.5–3 billion, invoice discounting, and digital platforms like Equity Online, which helps businesses process payments and manage accounts in real time.
Serumaga also addressed customer concerns, pledging improved service through staff training and urging business owners to embrace integrity: “Reject bribery and expect professionalism. We are building a culture of respect in banking.”
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
The day’s discussions, enriched by speakers such as Ms. Olivia Mugaba, Head of SME Banking at Equity, Mr. Odoki Richard of Uganda Martyrs University, and Mr. Natalisile James from the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture, offered eight actionable lessons for entrepreneurs. These included:
Embracing formal registration to access incentives and government support.
Leveraging mobile banking and digital tools to expand into international markets.
Using patient, relationship-based financing to grow sustainably.
Building ecosystems where businesses feed into each other’s success.
Participants were also reminded of the challenges SMEs face, with over 53% of Ugandan SMEs failing due to inadequate capital and limited market access. Equity Bank presented case studies of businesses that overcame these hurdles, including one that expanded its credit line from UGX 20 million to UGX 100 million by partnering with multinational clients like Coca-Cola.
A Regional Movement for Transformation
As Mbale’s entrepreneurs left energized and equipped with new ideas, the forum signaled the start of a nationwide journey. The TUPANGE Business Ne Equity Forum will continue to Arua on August 21, Fort Portal on September 2, and Hoima on September 9, with a goal of reaching over 1,000 SMEs before the end of the year.
“We don’t just finance businesses; we walk the journey with you,” Serumaga concluded, reinforcing Equity Bank’s role as a trusted growth partner.
The Mbale forum marked a turning point for many local businesses, showing that with the right financing, collaboration, and innovation, SMEs can drive Uganda’s transformation agenda.
