KAMPALA — Capital Markets Authority Uganda has launched year-long celebrations to mark 30 years of regulating and developing Uganda’s investment landscape, highlighting major milestones in capital mobilisation, investor protection, and market expansion.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Chief Executive Officer Josephine Okui Ossiya said the anniversary marks “30 years of regulatory service and protecting the investments of Ugandans since our establishment in 1996.”
The celebrations, branded CMA@30, were launched under the theme “30 Years of Protecting Your Investments,” at the Uganda Business Facilitation Centre (UBFC), Kololo, reflecting the Authority’s core mandate of ensuring transparency, investor confidence, and market integrity.
Strong growth in capital markets
Over the past three decades, CMA has overseen significant growth in Uganda’s financial markets, facilitating the raising of UGX 2.3 trillion through public offers and growing market capitalisation to UGX 15.9 trillion. “From a modest beginning, the market has evolved to support capital raising, investment, and long-term wealth creation,” Ms Ossiya said.
She added that collective investment schemes have mobilised UGX 5.6 trillion in savings, with more than 273,000 Ugandans now actively participating in the securities market. “Participation has expanded… a clear indication that the capital markets are becoming more inclusive and accessible,” she noted.
Public market transactions — including divestitures, shareholder exits, and secondary offers — have generated UGX 2.2 trillion in equities and UGX 290 billion in corporate bonds. “These figures represent real capital raised by real companies and real returns realised by real investors,” Ossiya emphasised.
Expanding financial ecosystem
CMA now supervises a broad and increasingly sophisticated ecosystem of market participants, including stock brokers, fund managers, custodians, securities depositories, and a commodities exchange.
“These are not just license holders; they are trusted partners in national development,” Ossiya said, noting that the institutions play a critical role in mobilising savings and financing key sectors of the economy.
Private markets have also emerged as a major financing channel, mobilising more than UGX 1.8 trillion over the past decade into sectors such as agro-industrialisation and mining. According to CMA, these investments have contributed to job creation, increased production, and a wider tax base.
Innovation and investor protection
The Authority highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise Uganda’s capital markets through innovation, including the introduction of sustainability bonds, Islamic finance products, crowdfunding platforms, and a Regulatory Sandbox for fintech solutions.
“Investor protection has remained at the heart of everything CMA does,” Ossiya said, pointing to initiatives such as the Investor Compensation Fund and strengthened corporate governance frameworks.
CMA has also significantly expanded investor education, reaching more than 20 million Ugandans through nationwide campaigns, media outreach, and community engagements.
Looking ahead to Vision 2040
As Uganda pursues its long-term development agenda, CMA says capital markets will play a central role in mobilising the financing required to achieve a $500 billion economy by 2040.
“Uganda’s ambition to grow into a USD 500 billion economy by 2040 will require strong, efficient, and inclusive capital markets,” Ossiya said.
She added: “CMA remains committed to working with all stakeholders to deepen the market, expand participation, and ensure that every Ugandan has the opportunity to invest and grow their wealth in a safe and regulated environment.”
Year-long celebrations planned
The CMA@30 programme will feature nationwide investor education campaigns, a capital markets symposium, media storytelling initiatives, and a documentary series, culminating in the Capital Markets Awards during World Investor Week in October 2026.
“Today’s launch marks the beginning of a year-long programme of activities… to celebrate our journey and shape the future of Uganda’s capital markets,” Ossiya said.
The Authority called on investors, institutions, and the public to actively participate in the market and support its continued growth. “Let us participate actively, invest wisely, and continue building a capital market that works for all,” she concluded.