Mbale City came alive on Tuesday as Equity Bank’s TUPANGE Business Ne Equity Forum made its much-anticipated regional debut. The gathering brought together more than 500 small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs, offering them new ideas, financing opportunities, and tools to scale their businesses under the theme “Financing Integrated Value Chains and SME Growth.”
The forum followed a successful launch in Kampala the previous week and is the first in a series of regional events designed to empower SMEs across Uganda. Other stops will include Arua, Fort Portal, and Hoima.
One of the most moving moments came from Saleh Naminya, Managing Director of Casa Uganda Safaris & Lodges, who recounted his journey from teacher to tourism entrepreneur. He shared how his company thrives through collaboration with farmers, furniture makers, and transporters, a network made possible by timely supplier financing.
“When a partner once needed to deliver a 50-ton coffee order, Equity Bank’s financing made it possible,” Naminya said, urging fellow entrepreneurs to embrace resilience and collaboration.
Claver Serumaga, Executive Director of Commercial Banking at Equity Bank Uganda, reminded participants that the bank is not only a lender but also a partner in growth.
“Globally, SMEs create seven out of every ten jobs. Our role is to walk with them — offering solutions that strengthen every link in the value chain. A single hand cannot tie a bundle,” Serumaga noted.
He emphasized the availability of unsecured supplier financing worth UGX 1.5–3 billion, invoice financing, and digital tools such as Equity Online, which ease business operations while enhancing efficiency and trust.
Panelists including Olivia Mugaba from Equity Bank, Odoki Richard, a lecturer, and Natalisile James from the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture, shared eight key lessons for SME success. These included scaling with technical and financial support, embracing digital innovation, strengthening partnerships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing financial literacy.
A case study presented at the forum illustrated how one company grew its credit line from UGX 20 million to UGX 100 million, thanks to trusted partnerships with anchor clients like Coca-Cola.
The Mbale stop is the first in a series of four regional forums. The caravan heads next to Arua on August 21, followed by Fort Portal on September 2 and Hoima on September 9. By year’s end, Equity Bank aims to have reached more than 1,000 SMEs nationwide, equipping them with financing solutions and knowledge to strengthen Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
For Mbale’s entrepreneurs, the forum was more than a business event. It was a catalyst proof that with the right support, SMEs can unlock their potential and shape Uganda’s economic future.