MARU Credit has wrapped up the first intake of its Business Incubator Programme, a hands-on initiative designed to help small businesses in Uganda become more organised, financially disciplined and ready for growth.
Run in partnership with Enterprise Uganda, the three-day training brought together entrepreneurs from different sectors for practical lessons in bookkeeping, governance, tax compliance, customer retention, credit management and human resource planning. The sessions focused on helping business owners put proper systems in place rather than running their enterprises informally.
Small and medium enterprises make up about 90 percent of Uganda’s private sector, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, but many struggle with poor record keeping, limited access to finance and weak long-term planning. The incubator was created to close those gaps by giving entrepreneurs tools to run structured, bankable businesses.
For some participants, the training changed how they view their operations.
“One of the things I’ve learnt which is very important is the fact that I need to keep my financial records,” said Peace Kwagala, noting that she previously did not manage her books well but now feels more confident about running her business transparently.
Anita Mugisha said the programme helped her understand the importance of maintaining an active online presence to stay competitive. “Out of sight is out of mind,” she said, adding that visibility is key to attracting and keeping customers.
MARU Credit Managing Director Joshua Mazune said the goal of the incubator is to move entrepreneurs from survival mode to structured growth.
“Growth isn’t accidental. It is built on systems, governance, and financial clarity. When entrepreneurs understand their numbers, structure their operations properly, and lead with discipline, they unlock real and sustainable expansion,” he said.
Enterprise Uganda Chief Operating Officer Ronald Mukasa said many local businesses are innovative but need stronger management foundations.
“Uganda’s entrepreneurs are innovative and resilient, but resilience must be matched with capability. When businesses adopt proper governance, maintain accurate records, and plan strategically, they significantly increase their chances of survival and growth. Partnerships like this are critical in building a competitive SME sector,” he noted.
In addition to classroom sessions, the programme included networking forums aimed at encouraging collaboration and peer learning among business owners.
MARU Credit said it introduced the incubator after observing that many small enterprises seek loans before putting proper financial and operational systems in place. The training therefore focused on preparing entrepreneurs to use credit productively and sustainably, rather than just accessing it.
The completion of the first cohort marks the start of what the lender plans to run as a continuous capacity-building platform for SMEs. MARU Credit said it will continue supporting entrepreneurs with both financing and technical skills, with details of the next intake to be announced later.
