Business Network Uganda (BNU) was launched in Kampala on September 19, 2026, with the aim of connecting entrepreneurs, professionals, and investors. The platform operates under Bizsphere Club and seeks to promote trade, investment, and knowledge exchange between Uganda, Kenya, and the wider East African region. The launch was attended by high-profile guests, including Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda, Ababu Namwamba.
Ababu Namwamba emphasized the importance of stronger private-sector collaboration in strengthening regional economic cooperation. He noted that Kenya and Uganda share deeply interconnected labor and economic markets, and that the Kenyan diaspora in Uganda is part of a wider East African economic space. Namwamba called on businesses to play a greater role in promoting economic ties between the two countries.
The launch of BNU comes as Kenya and Uganda continue to deepen their economic relations within the East African Community. Commercial diplomacy and increased trade between the two countries have also been identified among Namwamba's priorities during his tenure in Kampala. The platform aims to provide a channel for mobilizing capital, skills, technology, and international business networks.
Data from the Central Bank of Kenya shows that Kenya's annual diaspora remittance inflows reached about US$5.04 billion in 2025, up from US$4.945 billion in 2024. Namwamba urged entrepreneurs in Kenya and Uganda to look beyond traditional cross-border trade and explore opportunities for joint investment, production, and partnerships.
Namwamba encouraged BNU to work with government agencies, including the Diaspora Investment Support Office and the Kenya High Commission, to identify and promote bankable investment opportunities. The proposed areas of collaboration include mapping members' investment interests and capabilities, identifying viable projects in Kenya and Uganda, and facilitating joint ventures and syndicated investments.
The economic value of the diaspora extends beyond financial capital, with professional expertise, technology, international experience, and networks being important resources for regional development. Namwamba proposed professional knowledge exchanges, sector-specific forums, mentorship programs, and structured engagements involving universities, professional bodies, and research institutions in Kenya and Uganda.
The launch of BNU was attended by Presidential CEO Forum Chief Executive Officer Irene Mugisha and Stephen Kalibbala, who represented the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry president. The speakers highlighted the role of the private sector in influencing policies that support business growth, investment, and regional economic integration.
Key points
- Business Network Uganda aims to promote trade, investment, and knowledge exchange between Uganda, Kenya, and the wider East African region.
- The platform seeks to provide a channel for mobilizing capital, skills, technology, and international business networks.
- The launch of BNU comes as Kenya and Uganda continue to deepen their economic relations within the East African Community.
