Innovation for impact :The 5thAnnual Social entrepreneurship symposium

Innovation for impact :The 5thAnnual Social entrepreneurship symposium
On Thursday, October 2nd 2025, Capital Solutions Ltd in partnership with the SEF-Social Entrepreneurship Association Uganda in Uganda proudly hosted the 5th Annual Social Entrepreneurship Symposium under the theme “Re-shaping the Future: Social Entrepreneurship, Inclusion, and Climate Action” at the Social Entrepreneurship Hub in Kajjansi.
This hybrid event brought together over 300 participants to attend
Innovation for impact :The 5thAnnual Social entrepreneurship symposium
On Thursday, October 2nd 2025, Capital Solutions Ltd in partnership with the SEF-Social Entrepreneurship Association Uganda in Uganda proudly hosted the 5th Annual Social Entrepreneurship Symposium under the theme “Re-shaping the Future: Social Entrepreneurship, Inclusion, and Climate Action” at the Social Entrepreneurship Hub in Kajjansi.
This hybrid event brought together over 300 participants including social innovators, impact investors, policymakers, and development partners both in person and online. The symposium served as a dynamic platform for advancing discussions around sustainable business models, inclusive growth, and climate-resilient solutions in response to today’s global challenges.
The event was opened with welcoming remarks from Ms. Jackie Namara Rukare, Chairperson of the Capital Solutions Limited Advisory Board, who set an inspiring tone for the day. She noted the symposium’s importance as a collaborative space where social entrepreneurs, development actors, and government institutions unite to address pressing social and environmental challenges.
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. Joyce Tamale, Co-Founder & CEO of Capital Solutions Ltd, expressed gratitude to participants for their continued commitment to building inclusive and climate-conscious enterprises. She encouraged attendees to actively engage, share experiences, and form long-term collaborations that will accelerate social impact across the region.
The symposium featured two thought-provoking keynote addresses.
Mr. Tassilo Von Droste, Head of the Governance and Civil Society Programme at GIZ, joined virtually and highlighted the crucial role of social enterprises in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. “Social enterprises aren’t just a movement—they are proof that sustainability and impact can go hand in hand,” he remarked.
Dr. Edward Isingoma, Managing Partner at Pearl Capital Partners, delivered an in-person keynote focusing on the expanding opportunities in social impact investing. He noted that investors are increasingly channeling funds often exceeding USD 10 million into enterprises that deliver measurable social value. Dr. Isingoma called on social entrepreneurs to strengthen their impact models, maintain transparency, and demonstrate clear results to attract investment. He emphasized that ecosystem-wide collaboration is essential for visibility and long-term growth within Africa’s social enterprise sector.
From the policy front, A representative from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives representing the permanent secretary. Mr. Johnson Abitekaniza, Assistant Commissioner emphasized the importance of building strong networks among ecosystem players. He acknowledged access to finance as a major barrier for social enterprises but reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating inclusive financing mechanisms and integrating social enterprises into public and private procurement systems.
Representing the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Ms. Margaret Kakande, Head of the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit, highlighted the need for transparency and results-based accountability in social enterprise operations. She drew parallels between public finance management and enterprise accountability, urging entrepreneurs to link every investment to tangible social and environmental outcomes. Ms. Kakande also reaffirmed MoFPED’s support in advancing policy frameworks that strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem.
On behalf of the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda, represented by Ms. Lotta Segerström Tejpar, Head of Political, Economic, and Commercial Affairs, reiterated Sweden’s dedication to nurturing inclusive and innovative entrepreneurship in Uganda. She shared insights from Sweden’s innovation culture one built on a mindset of “trying, failing, and learning” a spirit she encouraged Ugandan entrepreneurs to embrace as they build impactful enterprises.
The symposium also featured main plenary panel discussion and three breakout sessions, designed to provide participants with practical knowledge, peer learning opportunities, and strategies to sustainably scale their social enterprises. Each session blended expert insights with interactive discussions and case studies, enabling participants to share experiences and co-create actionable solutions.
The breakout sessions explored three thematic areas: Blended Finance – Opportunities and Challenges, Embracing Digital Technology in Scaling Your Social Enterprise and Building a Sustainable Social Business Model
A major highlight of the symposium was the Social Enterprise Exhibition, which featured over 50 enterprises showcasing innovative products and services across agribusiness, fashion and design, health, education, climate action, renewable energy, and nutrition. The exhibition provided a lively platform for networking, visibility, and partnership building, attracting the attention of investors, development partners, and the public.
The showcase truly reflected the creativity, resilience, and impact of Uganda’s social entrepreneurs a testament to how purpose-driven enterprises are transforming communities and contributing meaningfully to national development.
ncluding social innovators, impact investors, policymakers, and development partners both in person and online. The symposium served as a dynamic platform for advancing discussions around sustainable business models, inclusive growth, and climate-resilient solutions in response to today’s global challenges.
The event was opened with welcoming remarks from Ms. Jackie Namara Rukare, Chairperson of the Capital Solutions Limited Advisory Board, who set an inspiring tone for the day. She noted the symposium’s importance as a collaborative space where social entrepreneurs, development actors, and government institutions unite to address pressing social and environmental challenges.
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. Joyce Tamale, Co-Founder & CEO of Capital Solutions Ltd, expressed gratitude to participants for their continued commitment to building inclusive and climate-conscious enterprises. She encouraged attendees to actively engage, share experiences, and form long-term collaborations that will accelerate social impact across the region.
The symposium featured two thought-provoking keynote addresses.
Mr. Tassilo Von Droste, Head of the Governance and Civil Society Programme at GIZ, joined virtually and highlighted the crucial role of social enterprises in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. “Social enterprises aren’t just a movement—they are proof that sustainability and impact can go hand in hand,” he remarked.
Dr. Edward Isingoma, Managing Partner at Pearl Capital Partners, delivered an in-person keynote focusing on the expanding opportunities in social impact investing. He noted that investors are increasingly channeling funds often exceeding USD 10 million into enterprises that deliver measurable social value. Dr. Isingoma called on social entrepreneurs to strengthen their impact models, maintain transparency, and demonstrate clear results to attract investment. He emphasized that ecosystem-wide collaboration is essential for visibility and long-term growth within Africa’s social enterprise sector.
From the policy front, A representative from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives representing the permanent secretary. Mr. Johnson Abitekaniza, Assistant Commissioner emphasized the importance of building strong networks among ecosystem players. He acknowledged access to finance as a major barrier for social enterprises but reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating inclusive financing mechanisms and integrating social enterprises into public and private procurement systems.
Representing the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Ms. Margaret Kakande, Head of the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit, highlighted the need for transparency and results-based accountability in social enterprise operations. She drew parallels between public finance management and enterprise accountability, urging entrepreneurs to link every investment to tangible social and environmental outcomes. Ms. Kakande also reaffirmed MoFPED’s support in advancing policy frameworks that strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem.
On behalf of the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda, represented by Ms. Lottaccess to finance as a major barrier for social enterprises but reaffirmed tmmitment to creating inclusive financing mechanisms and integrating social enterprises into public and private procurement systems.
Representing the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED Ms. Margaret Kakande, Head of the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit, highlighted the need for transparency and results-based accountability in social enterprise operations. She drew parallels between public finance management and enterprise accountability, urging entrepreneurs to link every investment to tangible social and environmental outcomes. Ms. Kakande also reaffirmed MoFP support in advancing policy frameworks that strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem.
On behaHead of Political, Economic, and Commercial Affairs, reiterated Sweden’s dedication to nurturing inclusive and innovative entrepreneurship in Uganda. She shared insights from Sweden’s innovation culture one built on a mindset of “trying, failing, and learning” a spirit she encouraged Ugandan entrepreneurs to embrace as they build impactful enterprises.
The symposium also featured main plenary panel discussion and three breakout sessions, designed to provide participants with practical knowledge, peer learning opportunities, and strategies to sustainably scale their social enterprises. Each session blended expert insights with interactive discussions and case studies, enabling participants to share experiences and co-create actionable solutions.
The breakout sessions explored three thematic areas: Blended Finance – Opportunities and Challenges, Embracing Digital Technology in Scaling Your Social Enterprise and Building a Sustainable Social Business Model
A major highlight of the symposium was the Social Enterprise Exhibition, which featured over 50 enterprises showcasing innovative products and services across agribusiness, fashion and design, health, education, climate action, renewable energy, and nutrition. The exhibition provided a lively platform for networking, visibility, and partnership building, attracting the attention of investors, development partners, and the public.
The showcase truly reflected the creativity, resilience, and impact of Uganda’s social entrepreneurs a testament to how purpose-driven enterprises are transforming communities and contributing meaningfully to national development.
tainablyhenterprises. Each session blended expert insights with interactive discussions and case studies, enabling participants to share experiences and co-create actionable solutions.
The breakout sessions explored three thematic areas: Blended Finance – Opportunities and Challenges, Embracing Digital Technology in Scaling Your Social Enterprise and Building a Sustainable Social Business Model
A major highlight of the symposium was the Social Enterprise Exhibition, which featured over 50 enterprises showcasing innovative products and services across agribusiness, fashion and design, health, education, climate action, renewable energy, and nutrition. The exhibition provided a lively platform for networking, visibility, and partnership building, attracting the attention of investors, development partners,
The showcase truly reflected the creativity, resiliencreneurs a testament to how purpose-driven enterprises are transforming communities and contributing meaningfully to national development.