Last week, NUTIP_ Kampala marked the Day of the Entrepreneur 2025 with an inspiring program celebrating bold innovators and strengthening Dutch-Ugandan business collaboration.
Panel Highlights
Panel 1- Entrepreneurial Journeys
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible panelists, Aliya Hajee, AGRICADO FARMS, Benjamin Emiau FRES (Foundation Rural Energy Services), and Johannes (Hans) de Heer, Plutus Coffee Group, for sharing honest, practical insights on what it truly takes to build here in Uganda.
Key insights:
🌿 Ecosystem-driven entrepreneurship fuels sustainable growth
📊 Your numbers strengthen your story
🌱 Youth must be intentionally integrated as creators and innovators
🤝 Uganda – Netherlands collaboration continues to unlock opportunity
Panel 2 – Scaling Through Support
A special thank you to the panelists Kate Kabaingi Kiiza dfcu Bank, Mandela Ivan, CFA SHONA Capital Ltd, Maureen Njeri , Balloon Ventures. who unpacked this session on how blended finance, investment models, and tailored support help entrepreneurs scale confidently
Key insights:
💰 Blended finance broadens access to growth capital
🛠️ Advisory support accelerates scaling
📑 Strong records boost investment readiness
🤝 Collaboration strengthens the entire SME ecosystem
Both panels, expertly moderated by Aggie Patricia Turwomwe, offered valuable insights and practical lessons on building impactful and sustainable businesses in Uganda.
A heartfelt thank you to all entrepreneurs, partners, and the ecosystem, and to Wekesa Amos Great Lakes Safaris, who delivered an inspiring keynote on leveraging tourism as a driver for entrepreneurship and sustainable impact in Uganda, highlighting how innovation, collaboration, and responsible business practices can create opportunities for SMEs and youth in the sector.
Celebrating Excellence – Orange Crane Awards 2025
The day concluded with a vibrant networking reception where Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda, Frederieke Quispel, and NUTIP Chairperson Martijn Harlaar presented the Orange Crane Awards 2025.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
🏆 Lifetime Achievement Award – BBROOD UGANDA
🏆 Best Newcomer Award – Dieleman Potatoes
🏆 Innovation & Sustainability Award – eBee.uganda
We also applaud all 9 nominees who showcased their work earlier in the day and shared their stories on the hashtag#Bridges of hashtag#Impact hashtag#podcast.
hashtag#Entrepreneurship hashtag#Innovation hashtag#Impact hashtag#UgandaBusiness hashtag#DutchUgandanPartnership hashtag#SMEGrowth hashtag#BlendedFinance hashtag#YouthInBusiness hashtag#SustainableBusiness hashtag#OrangeCraneAwards hashtag#BridgesOfImpact Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda
