SAFEBODA | JUMIA | GLOVO | E-TRADE 

E-commerce service providers in Uganda have launched an E-Trade and Startup Association which will bring together all the players to defend, strengthen, and promote the objectives of the industry.

Speaking at the launch held at Fairway Hotel on Tuesday, Ron Kawamara, the Acting Chairperson of the Association, said that it is coming at the right time when e-commerce is on its way to growth and development in Uganda.

“The ecosystem has grown and we will continue to leverage growth and scale out consumers in Uganda." The E-Trade Association started of necessity. "We are at the receiving end of the government,” he said.

Kawamara said that e-commerce players have invested over $300M (over Sh342B) in the last 5 years and revenues of between $10-$15M are remitted to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) annually.

“We have had challenges from curfews, OTT taxes, the Facebook ban, digital stamps, and most recently the UCC ban." We have come together so that we can have a common voice. We have managed to convince the government at a huge cost,” he pointed out.

Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, the State Minister for National Guidance and the guest of honour appreciated the gesture of key players in e-commerce coming together and retaliated that the government has a challenge with meeting individuals.

“One challenge we face is meeting individuals without knowing who to go to. I would like to appreciate that you have come together. We are working together with the ministry of science and technology to ensure that we push the digital revolution,” he said.

Kabbyanga added that the government will ensure there are good laws and infrastructure to enable businesses to thrive.

In an interview with Michael Wilkerson, the co-founder and CEO of Tugende Limited said that E-Trade and startups in a short time will become some of the largest taxpayers and job creators in Uganda.

The association brought together competitors including Safe Body, Jumia, Tugende, and Glovo, among others.