UMU launches Foundation to promote social impact entrepreneurship

Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi (UMU), has formed a foundation to promote social impact entrepreneurship. The foundation, E4Impact Foundation (Uganda Chapter), was launched at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel, Rubaga, on Saturday. The function was presided over by the MD of Centenary Bank, Fabian Kasi and the Executive Director of National Union of Coffee Agribusinesses, Joseph Nkandu.

Members of the Executive Committee of the Foundation, who were sworn in include Emilio Odongo (President), Evelyn Nyafwono (Vice-President), Henry Butele (Secretary), Frank Katabazi (treasurer) and Nicholas Mbabazi (legal counsel).

Some of the people who attended UMU's E4Impact business plan competitions listening to the presentations

The others include Fred Mawanda, Dennis Kimbugwe (special events), Tony Chemweno (communications), Fred Ijjo (membership), Julius Kalemera (finance and planning),  and Sr. Hellen Ayaa (education and business exchange). Local investor Joseph Nkandu is the Patron of the Foundation.

The foundation was inaugurated during the social entrepreneurship business plan competitions, which were also organised by UMU, in conjunction with the Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy. The competitions featured E4Impact Master of Business Administration students.

Dennis Kimbugwe, the Managing Director of Pure Products Limited (Sparkles Water), was declared by the judges as the overall winner. Rev. Sr. Ernestine Akulu, the CEO and founder of Bishop Caesar Asili Hospital (Luweero), won the prize for the business with best social impact. Other winners were Federico Tonelli of Ifish (best scalable business), Fred Ijjo (Friends of Bamboo Consult, best stand-up business), Henry Butele (Voitech Solutions, best start-up business) and Isidore Luyinda (food producer, best improved business).

In his speech, The MD of Centenary Bank, Fabian Kasi, asked the young entrepreneurs to come up with strategic projects that provide solutions to the problems of the country.

 "The business activities you are involved in should have a social impact. Be in position to solve the problems of the country, in particular youth unemployment and environmental degradation. Your work will be relevant only if you have the ability and will to help the country to overcome its pressing challenges," Kasi stressed.

The function was also graced by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UMU (Finance and Administration), Moses Kibrai and ABC Capital Bank Non-Executive Director, Haider Daudani.