The Buganda Kingdom has launched a new e-commerce platform aimed at connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to customers across Uganda.
The Kibuga Online platform was officially launched at Bulange Mengo by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga.
Mayiga explained that E-commerce is about embracing global trends, which Buganda can never be left behind, emphasising the convenience offered by online shopping.
“Technology is the gold and oil of the current times,” Mayiga said, adding that even resource-rich economies now depend on information and communication technology (ICT) to extract and market their resources.
He added that with over 70 per cent of Uganda’s population comprising young people, digital platforms such as Kibuga Online are timely interventions.
According to officials from Kibuga Online, the platform seeks to bridge the gap between SMEs and customers by providing a structured digital marketplace that enables businesses to trade beyond their immediate locations.
The e-commerce platform allows vendors to list products, manage orders and receive payments through an integrated system accessible via web and mobile application.
Henry Ndugga, the head of products at K2 Telecom, said they have partnered with Kibuga Investments and Buganda Kingdom to create Kibuga Online Shop.
He noted, “If you are there, you have a business, and you want to sell online, this is the platform for you. You can see that this platform is patronised by the Kingdom of Buganda. We have made sure that your packages, your orders, are going to be safely delivered, and you are going to get the best value. Currently, we have kibuga launch deals. They are running until the middle of next month,” he said.
The place firm can be accessed on the web, but also downloaded on the internet ur App Store or Google Play Store.
Newton Kalera, Board Chairperson of Kibuga Investments Limited, described the initiative as a milestone in aligning Buganda’s heritage with digital transformation.
He said the platform represents a strategic step toward economic empowerment and youth inclusion, adding that it will help bridge the gap between producers and consumers while creating employment opportunities.