The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has organised a one day conference aimed at empowering Ugandan youth with financial literacy to help them develop their ideas into business.
Themed Skilling Uganda’s Youths with Financial Discipline and a Mindset for Business Success, the conference planned for July 12, targets youths aged 18- 35. Over 1,500 of them are expected to attend.
The event will be held in the UMA Multi-Purpose Hall, Lugogo, Kampala. The conference targets youths in universities and other institutions of higher learning, graduates, and those already with business ventures.
According to Assistant Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs, Vincent Seruma, the purpose is to inspire and empower Ugandan youth to create their own jobs instead of becoming job seekers.
The lack of financial literacy and business skills stands out as an impediment to youth business startups. This therefore calls for deliberate and intentional effort to equip them with the requisite business for success skills, experts say.
Topics for discussion include identifying, developing and sustaining a viable enterprise, surviving youth pressures, developing a successful mindset and how to balance career, family and business. Other core issues to be discussed are; how do you translate an idea into a business, defining a market, branding, product presentation, curbing expenses, managing credit and finances.
URA’s Commissioner General, Doris Akol will give the keynote address. The guest of honor is expected to be Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs.
Discussants lined up are; Ruth Matovu Biyinzika (Skilling Uganda, PSFU), James Abola (Team leader, Akamai Global) – Financial Management, Michael Niyitegeka (ICDL Africa Country Manager, Uganda) – IT, Alice Karugaba – Director Nina Interiors (Business finance) and Dr. Sarah Nkonge Muwonge (Family business).
According to Seruma, to inspire the participants, youth, who are excelling in business, will give testimonies regarding their businesses. They include; Maxima Nsimenta (CEO of Livara Natural and Organic), Fatuma Namutosi (Executive Managing Director – Byeffe Foods Company Ltd), Robert Kasibante (MD, Victory School of Beauty), Simon Sekankya (MD Hardware World), Dr. Joseph Kizito (Wonder Pig) – Product development and innovation and Anita Beryl Ahikiriza (Managing Director, Beryl Quoture).
Amid the conference, youth entrepreneurs will showcase their products and services.