Regional business leaders urged to collaborate on trade, investment
“An entrepreneur in Kampala should see Kenya not only as a place to send money, but as a market in which to invest, a production base with which to partner and an ecosystem in which capital, technology and expertise can be deployed.”
The Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda H.E. Ababu Namwamba with the Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential CEO Forum Irene Mugisha, BNU Chairman Maurice Amogola (2nd left) and Stephen Kalibbala of The Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (L) during the launch of The Business Network Uganda (BNU) at Skyz Kampala on Saturday September 19 2026. (Courtesy photo)
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Entrepreneurs and corporate business professionals in the East African region have been challenged to play a greater role in building stronger economic cooperation through collaboration in investment, knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship and business partnerships.
Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Ambassador Ababu Namwamba, made the appeal when he presided over the launch of Bizsphere Club, which trades as Business Network Uganda (BNU), an initiative aimed at bringing together East African entrepreneurs, professionals and investors to create new opportunities to enhance trade and investment within the region.
The event was also attended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential CEO Forum, Irene Mugisha, and Stephen Kalibbala, who represented the President of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“As neighbours and EAC partners, Kenya and Uganda share deeply interconnected labour and economic markets. The Kenyan diaspora in Uganda is therefore not an isolated community; it is part of a wider East African economic space,” he said.
He said BNU provides an opportunity to harness this mobility and connectivity and transform it into practical economic value for both countries and encouraged Kenyan and Ugandan entrepreneurs to collaborate to increase investment, production, partnerships and innovation in both countries, including the wider East African market.
“An entrepreneur in Kampala should see Kenya not only as a place to send money, but as a market in which to invest, a production base with which to partner and an ecosystem in which capital, technology and expertise can be deployed.”
The High Commissioner encouraged BNU to work closely with relevant government institutions, including the Diaspora Investment Support Office (DISO) and the Kenya High Commission, to identify and promote bankable investment opportunities.
“Let BNU become a platform for investment, innovation, knowledge exchange, mentorship, market access and Kenya-Uganda enterprise partnerships. The value of the diaspora is not only in shillings and dollars. It is also in knowledge, professional networks, technology, ideas and international experience," he advised.
He proposed professional knowledge exchanges, sector-specific forums, mentorship programmes and structured engagements with universities, professional bodies and research institutions in both countries.
“Expertise acquired abroad does not have to remain abroad; it can circulate between Kenya, Uganda and the wider region for mutual benefit.”
Kalibbala, who represented the President of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasised the importance of the private sector playing a greater role in influencing policies that support business growth and investment in the region.