Uganda’s startup ecosystem has taken an exciting leap forward! Hostalite Ltd has been engaged by UNDP to design and activate the National Innovation and Start-Up Database, in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, #NITA, Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) , URSB as key partners.
This milestone project will create a central, verifiable, and inclusive registry of startups and innovations across the country, providing visibility, credibility, and opportunities for Uganda’s growing entrepreneurial community.
Why this matters for Startups
For years, information about Uganda’s startups has been scattered and fragmented, limiting opportunities for recognition, investment, and collaboration. The National Innovation and Start-Up Database will change this by:
- Profiling startups with verified data that strengthens credibility.
- Categorising startups by sector, stage of growth, and specific needs, making it easier for policymakers, investors, and support organizations to engage meaningfully.
- Opening up opportunities for startups to connect with partners, access funding, and showcase their work regionally and globally.
- Capturing underserved areas by including startups from rural and regional hubs, not just urban centers.
This means that whether a startup is an early-stage innovator, a growth-stage business, or a scaling enterprise, the database will reflect their journey and connect them to tailored opportunities.
Perfect Timing: Tax Holiday for Startups
This initiative comes at a defining moment. The Government of Uganda has introduced a three-year income tax holiday for new, Ugandan-owned startup businesses, effective July 1, 2025. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija while presenting the 2025/26 national budget to Parliament.
Coupled with the launch of the National Innovation and Start-Up Database, this incentive provides the perfect environment for entrepreneurs to thrive, formalize, and grow. Verified data and statistics from the database will also position Uganda among countries with reliable, evidence-based startup ecosystem metrics.
A Mandate that aligns with our passion
At Hostalite, this project is more than just a consultancy it is a cause close to our heart. Being given the mandate to develop this national resource is both an honor and an opportunity to give back to the ecosystem that inspires us every day.
We are committed to designing a platform that is user-friendly, inclusive, and sustainable — one that will outlive the project and continue to serve entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors for years to come.
What’s Next?
The design process kicked off with a National Innovation and Start-Up Database Design Workshop, scheduled for 27–28 August 2025 in Kampala, bringing together ecosystem stakeholders to co-create the platform architecture and ensure it reflects the needs of the community.
To all startups: Stay tuned!
This is your moment. The National Innovation and Start-Up Database will be your gateway to opportunities, visibility, and recognition at a national and global scale.
Together, we are shaping the future of Uganda’s startup ecosystem.
#Innovation #Startups #Entrepreneurship #DigitalTransformation #Uganda #Opportunity
