Author: Daniel Muwanguzi

A new global award launches today to recognise the world’s most promising early-stage entrepreneurs, giving founders who are leading companies that are under four years old and pre-Series A, a stage to celebrate their critical work. The Investec Early-Stage Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (“The Investec Easies”), powered by OPUS, are the first awards designed to spotlight founders at the very beginning of their journey. At a time when 305 million businesses are formed each year but few breakthrough, The Investec Easies are designed to uncover the boldest ideas before scale or exit. In partnership with Investec Wealth C Investment International, and Endava, the publicly listed technology services giant, The Investec Easies launch with the weight of institutions that shape both capital and innovation worldwide. The Investec Easies winners will be decided by a combination of public votes and an international panel spanning capital, culture and entrepreneurship. Judges include Maxine Gray (Head of Strategy and Implementation, Investec Wealth C Investment International), Lyndon Subroyen (Group Chief Digital C Technology Officer, Investec), Alastair Lukies CBE (Chief Engagement Officer at Endava), Kristen McLeod CBE (Chief Strategy Officer of British Business Bank), Imtiaz Patel (former CEO of MultiChoice Group), Erin Platts (CEO of Octopus Ventures), and iconic innovator Marc Porat (Founder of General Magic). For the first time, winners will join the OPUS Delegation to Davos, breaking open the gates of a forum where decisions about the future of technology, climate and society are made. Prizes include a £10,000 cash prize, access to The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, a stage usually reserved for corporates, unicorn founders, and world leaders, and bespoke growth support from OPUS and partners. This combination of capital, access and visibility gives founders tools that are rarely available at such an early stage, positioning them to scale their impact globally. Sam Tidswell-Norrish, Founder G Chair of OPUS, said: “Founders at this stage often work in the shadows. Across an uneven playing field, it is conviction without the spotlight that drives them. The Investec Easies reward the audacity to begin, not just the ability to scale. Everyone talks about unicorns and billion-dollar rounds, but every story starts with a leap of courage: the idea scribbled on a napkin, the risky quit from a stable job, the first late-night coding session. Those leaps are rarely recognised, yet they are the beating heart of entrepreneurship. With The Investec Easies, we want to celebrate those sparks of possibility, because they are where the future is born.” Joubert Hay, Chief Executive Officer of Investec Wealth & Investment International, said: “Investec is rooted in entrepreneurship, within how we think, operate and in our commitment to our clients – many of whom are established entrepreneurs. We believe in the value of being deeply invested in the next generation of entrepreneurs who are the lifeblood of economic health. By sponsoring these awards we bring our international growth strategy and the prosperity of potential clients together. By developing…

Stanbic Bank Uganda’s Chief Finance and Value Management Officer, Ronald Makata, is the standout achiever at the 9th edition of the Uganda CFO Awards 2025, held last evening in Kampala, under the theme “CFO Vision: Creating Impact and Legacy.” Makata distinguished himself as a triple honouree, scooping top accolades in Compliance and Governance, Finance Transformation and Technology, and securing the First Runner-Up position for CFO of the Year—a testament to his exceptional leadership, strategic foresight, and impact in redefining finance excellence within Uganda’s banking sector. The CFO Awards, jointly organised by Deloitte Uganda and ACCA Uganda, celebrate finance professionals who…

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Uganda, in partnership with the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), has successfully hosted the East Africa Capital Markets Conference (EACMC 2025) at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel under the theme: “Shaping East Africa’s Capital Markets through Digital Transformation and Sustainable Finance.” The two-day regional conference, held from October 16–17, 2025, brought together policymakers, regulators, CEOs of regional securities exchanges and regulators, fund managers, issuers, investors, and thought leaders from across the East African Community to discuss emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in capital market development. In her opening remarks, Mrs. Josephine Okui Ossiya, Chief Executive Officer of…

Glovo, a leading technological platform connecting customers, businesses, and riders, offering multicategory on-demand services from local restaurants, grocers and supermarkets, announced a significant milestone in its partnership with community-based organization Haba Na Haba. By leveraging Glovo’s technology and extensive courier network, the partnership has successfully rescued and distributed 2,712,061 meals to food-insecure communities since its inception in March 2024. At the heart of the partnership is Haba Na Haba’s innovative food rescue model from local markets, which has significantly scaled its impact in the fight against food insecurity and waste. This rescued food is then swiftly distributed to beneficiaries on…

The XIX Midterm Ministerial Review Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) officially opened today at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda, bringing together foreign ministers, heads of delegations, and representatives from across the Global South to deliberate on pressing global issues and reaffirm their shared commitment to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. The session began with a solemn tribute to Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, who passed away earlier in the day as the meeting was convening. Delegates observed a moment of silence in recognition of his life and legacy…

The Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, opened the 20th NAFISAT Supervisory Board Meeting, taking place from 14th to 17th October 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. The meeting, organized by UCAA in collaboration with Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) and the International Civil Aviation Organization – Eastern and Southern Africa (ICAO-ESAF), has brought together representatives from 14 NAFISAT States, along with officials from ATNS, IATA, and the ICAO ESAF Office. In his opening remarks, UCAA Director General, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, expressed how pleased Uganda was to host the NAFISAT Maintenance…

A new era of partnership has dawned between the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) and Shandong Province of the People’s Republic of China following the signing of a Letter of Intent for Cooperation at the Civil Service College, Jinja, on Monday. The ceremony was presided over by Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, who served as Chief Guest. Also present were Rt. Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama, Third Deputy Prime Minister, Bishop Frank Tibagendeka, Governor of the Busoga Consortium for Development, Dr. Anthony Mula, Director General of BCD, Members of Parliament,…

The 3rd International Research and Development Conference (IRDeC – 2025) has kicked at Kampala International University, Ggaba Road, Kansanga, in Uganda’s capital Kampala. This global interdisciplinary conference brings together scholars, scientists, industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the future of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Capacity Building, and Global Sustainability. The conference has brought together experts from around the globe to exchange cutting-edge research, spotlight emerging technologies, and co-create practical solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges. The Conference started with a welcome address by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Ngoma who thanked the organizers and participants making the conference a reality. In his message…

In a powerful move to champion environmental conservation and sustainable community development, Housing Finance Bank has received a generous donation of 100 acres of land from the Kooki Kingdom. This land will be dedicated to the Bank’s flagship Tiny Forests Initiative, which aims to plant 1 million trees by 2027. The Bank’s Tiny Forests Initiative not only aligns with Uganda’s environmental sustainability agenda but also supports the Bank’s broader mission of empowering communities through responsible and inclusive development. The donated land will serve as a key site for afforestation, contributing significantly to national climate action goals by restoring degraded ecosystems,…

Housing Finance Bank has achieved the ISO 27001:2022 Certification, a globally recognized standard for information security. This certification confirms that the bank has robust systems in place to protect customer data, ensuring privacy, accuracy, and accessibility of information in an increasingly digital world. For everyday customers, this means that Housing Finance Bank takes concrete steps to safeguard personal and financial information. From online banking to mobile transactions, the bank now meets international standards for managing risks, preventing cyberattacks, and keeping sensitive data secure. In simple terms, your money and information are safer than ever. The certification follows a thorough independent…