Entrepreneurship Congress set for November 16-17
- Written by John Musinguzi
The first-ever Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and Exhibition has been scheduled to take place on November 16 and 17, 2023.
This was disclosed by Prof Peter Turyakira, head of department of Marketing and Management, at a media briefing at the college of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University on November 2, 2023.
Turyakira said the entrepreneurship congress is proposed to be an annual event to prepare young entrepreneurs for the ever-evolving business landscape by focusing on innovation, adaptability and sustainability. It will empower entrepreneurs with knowledge, resources and connections needed to drive economic development and innovation in Uganda.
He said since 2016, the department has been organizing an annual entrepreneurship expo; however, this would-have-been seventh expo has been uplifted to a category of congress, so as to attract policymakers, industrialists and investors.
For the congress and exhibition, the department has partnered with various companies to benefit from their experiences and resources. Some of these partners will offer papers on opportunities and challenges in their respective sectors.
He said the guest of honour will be state minister for Privatisation and Investment Evelyn Anite. The keynote speaker will be Caroline Adriaensen, the head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation. Prominent speakers will include Douglas Lwanga, Joel Aitah, Tony Otoa, Dr Dennis Ngabirano and Omukungu Farouk Busuulwa, among others.
Dr Sarah Bimbona, the director, Outreach Centre, said the first day will be dedicated to the congress, whereby experts will share experiences and insights about the changing landscape such as rapid advancements in generative technology (artificial intelligence), changing consumer preferences, market trends and sustainability.
Day two will be for exhibitions by students and community, to showcase their prototypes and startups, and practical demonstrations of how to start and sustain certain businesses, identify market opportunities, secure funds, develop winning marketing strategies and form fruitful networks.