By Christopher Kaahwa
July 22, 2026: Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre (MakEOC) under the School of Business at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) hosted a delegation from Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) Uganda for a high-level meeting to explore partnership for the 2026 Entrepreneurship Expo and Congress, set for October.
The meeting, held at Makerere University CoBAMS, focused on five key areas of collaboration:
- Organizing the 2026 Entrepreneurship Expo and Congress,
- Teaching and Entrepreneurship Training,
- Internship Opportunities for Students,
- Specialized Training by KACITA members, and
- Joint Resource Mobilization
Welcoming the KACITA delegation, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng, the Dean-School of Business, described the Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre as one of the college’s flagship initiatives that has strengthened Makerere University’s engagement with industry, entrepreneurs and communities. The Dean noted that what started as a lecture room entrepreneurship training has evolved into a practical experiential learning program where students establish real businesses, develop innovations and showcase them during the annual Entrepreneurship Expo.
“The Entrepreneurship Expo has become an annual platform where our undergraduate and graduate students present their ideas, innovations and business solutions to industry, government and the wider public,” he said.
He explained that beyond the Expo, the University has expanded its entrepreneurship agenda through community outreach, entrepreneurship training for women traders, youth groups and persons living with disabilities, as well as collaborations with organizations, including New Vision’s Pakasa, Centenary Bank, BRAC Uganda, Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), Rotary, and other private sector partners.
He stated that the University is increasingly focusing on climate-smart jobs, green entrepreneurship and innovation as future areas of collaboration with industry.
Strengthening the bridge between academia and business
Leading the KACITA delegation, Hajji Isa Sekitto, the Association’s Acting Chairperson commended Makerere University for creating a practical entrepreneurship ecosystem that closely connects students with industry.
“I am amazed that such a huge entrepreneurship programme has existed here for nearly ten years,” he said.
He highlighted that stronger collaboration between KACITA and Makerere University would help to bridge the existing gap between Uganda’s informal business sector and academia.
He pointed out that one of the greatest opportunities lies in business incubation, where experienced entrepreneurs and established companies could mentor young innovators before they launch their enterprises.
“You can give the same amount of capital to different people and only a few succeed. Incubation significantly increases the chances of business survival because entrepreneurs receive guidance before entering the market,” he emphasized.
Hajji Sekitto proposed a structured internship partnership through which KACITA would coordinate internship placement opportunities for Makerere University students across its extensive network of businesses and member organizations. He added that such an arrangement would protect students from challenges often encountered while searching for internship placements and provide businesses with an opportunity to nurture future professionals.
Celebrating a decade of existence
Representing the Director, Dr Kasimu Sendawula, a member of faculty at CoBAMS and Deputy Director at MakEOC, presented the journey and impact of the Entrepreneurship Expo and Congress, highlighting how the initiative has transformed entrepreneurship education through experiential learning.
Rather than teaching entrepreneurship as only theory, he elaborated that students identify business opportunities, conduct feasibility studies, establish real enterprises and later exhibit their products and innovations during the Expo.
“The objective is to help students realize that entrepreneurship is not merely a lecture room concept, but something they can practice and succeed in,” he noted.
Dr Marion Nanyanzi, a member of faculty at CoBAMS, expounded on the success of the previous editions, including the 2025 coffee-themed Expo, where students developed innovations ranging from coffee-based cosmetics and briquettes to biofuel products, with some innovations progressing towards the Makerere University ecosystem.
She also pointed out the Centre’s community outreach activities, including entrepreneurship training for market vendors, youth groups and persons living with disabilities, alongside short professional courses in financial literacy, business sustainability and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for entrepreneurs.