Mulenga Launches Shs1.8bn Drive to Empower Entrepreneurs

KAMPALA – Augustus Mulenga, the aspirant for National Chairperson of the NRM Entrepreneurs’ League, has kicked off a nationwide campaign to boost Uganda’s entrepreneurial sector through revitalised Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (Saccos), youth skilling initiatives, and better political representation.

Speaking during a meeting with Kampala-based entrepreneurs, Mulenga, popularly known as King Caesar identified lack of capital as the most pressing challenge facing Ugandan entrepreneurs.

He launched the General Entrepreneurship Ssacco of Kampala as part of a broader vision to strengthen grassroots financial systems.

“We want to ensure that money reaches those with ideas. Ssaccos should not just exist; they must be functional and impactful,” he said.

King Caesar pledged Shs 100 million in seed funding to one entrepreneurship Ssacco in each of Uganda’s 18 sub-regions, totaling Shs1.8 billion.

He emphasized the importance of transparency and sound management, vowing to lobby for legislation to penalize leaders who misuse Ssacco funds and to reform the operations of these financial cooperatives.

“Many Ssaccos collapse due to poor leadership, high interest rates, and bad record keeping. We are going to fix that,” he said.

Beyond financial empowerment, King Caesar is advocating for standardization across entrepreneurial practices and fair representation of entrepreneurs in Parliament.

“Entrepreneurs deserve a voice in the law-making process. Their needs and challenges must be tabled and addressed,” he noted.

As part of his skilling agenda, King Caesar announced 360 annual scholarships for youth from entrepreneurial families, to be awarded over seven years.

He also revealed plans to open seven entrepreneurship offices across the country that will employ professionals from entrepreneurial backgrounds and coordinate regional development programs.

He said educational tours would be organized for young entrepreneurs to learn from successful ventures in sectors like maize and coffee production, helping them build sustainable businesses grounded in practical experience.

In a message to Uganda’s youth and job seekers, King Caesar urged a mindset shift toward job creation through vocational and entrepreneurial training.

“The time to rethink is now. Even those with degrees should embrace skilling. We must create jobs, not just seek them,” he said.

Addressing environmental concerns, he called on traders to stop using polythene bags (buvera) and to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives.

In an unconventional twist, he told Ugandans to feel free to accept money from political opponents, provided it improves their welfare.

“The focus should remain on improving livelihoods,” he said.

With his campaign gaining momentum, King Caesar is positioning himself as a champion of grassroots economic transformation, driven by skilled, financially empowered, and politically represented entrepreneurs.