A new business training programme has been launched in Kampala to help small business owners become more organised, attract funding and grow sustainably.
The initiative, run by MARU Credit in partnership with Enterprise Uganda, began with a three-day workshop that brought together 80 entrepreneurs from the agribusiness and education sectors.
The programme comes at a time when many Ugandan small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to survive. Although SMEs make up about 90 percent of the private sector and employ more than 2.5 million people, nearly half close before reaching five years, according to data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
Speaking at the opening, MARU Credit Managing Director Joshua Mazune said most local businesses fail not because they lack ideas, but because they lack proper systems.
He explained that the programme is shifting the focus from simply giving loans to building businesses that are well structured, financially disciplined and able to attract investment.
Many SMEs currently struggle to access formal credit because they do not keep proper financial records and have weak management structures. The training therefore focuses on practical skills such as bookkeeping, leadership, governance and managing working capital.
Rosemary Mutyabule from Enterprise Uganda said the goal is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to qualify for financing by improving how their businesses are run internally.
Participants welcomed the training, saying it addresses challenges they have faced for years. Grace Kwagala, who is setting up an international school, said she wants to learn how to manage cash flow better, while Kafumba Peter said he hopes to understand how to use credit for long-term growth rather than short-term survival.
The organisers said the programme will not end with the workshop. It will include mentorship and follow-up support to help businesses implement what they have learned.
MARU Credit plans to run several more training cohorts throughout 2026 as part of efforts to build stronger and more resilient Ugandan enterprises.
