Students to Showcase Innovations at 8th Makerere Entrepreneurship Expo

Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, under the School of Business, will host the Second Entrepreneurship Congress and the 8^th Annual Entrepreneurship Students’ Expo on October 31 and November 1, 2024.

The congress will be held on October 31 at the Yusuf Lule Auditorium and the expo will follow the next day at Freedom Square.

The event which is running under the theme, ”Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Inclusive Growth”, will bring together a dynamic audience of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and academics to discuss the transformative role of entrepreneurship in achieving equitable economic growth in Uganda.

According to Prof Godfrey Akileng, Dean of the School of Business, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, will be the keynote speaker at the congress.

He said the congress will feature panel discussions covering topics like access to finance, innovation for social good and supportive policy environments, workshops, and experiential learning sessions for participants to gain practical skills in areas such as business model development, scaling ventures, and impact investing as well as networking opportunities to foster collaborations among entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and academics.

“Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth. This congress and expo will not only showcase the innovations of young Ugandan entrepreneurs but will also serve as a platform to address some of the most pressing issues in our communities,” Prof Akileng told the press at the School of Business.

He added: “At Makerere University, we believe that entrepreneurship, when harnessed inclusively, holds the key to transforming society.”

Dr Sarah Bimbona, the Director of Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, said the congress and expo aim to increase awareness around inclusive growth practices, provide strategies for promoting inclusive business, and inspire meaningful partnerships that drive Uganda’s sustainable development.  

“We are focusing on young entrepreneurs below the age of 40. We are building an entrepreneurship ecosystem and an inclusive environment for all,” she noted, adding that the learners need to be supported to take their products to the next level.

Dr Jude Mugarura, the Head of the Department of Marketing and Management, said they train competitive 21^st century graduates.

“We are moving from job careers to portfolio careers and from conventional stereotypes to a more inclusive space,” said Dr Mugarura.

He went on: “We impart knowledge and practical skills to help students start their own businesses. We support them from idea generation to making products and prototypes, and follow up to the commercialization phase.”

Dr Mugarura further revealed that they go the extra mile to link students to innovation hubs like the Makerere University Innovation Hub so they can develop and commercialize their products.