How to Start a Tech Company in Uganda A Practical Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Step 1: The Idea
3. Step 2: Registration
4. Step 3: The MVP
5. Step 4: Funding
6. Summary & Key Takeaways
7. Common FAQs

So you have an app idea. You think it's the next SafeBoda or Chippercash. But how do you turn a PowerPoint deck into a real company?

We break down the legal, technical, and financial steps to launch in Uganda.

Step 1: Validate Your Idea

Don't write code yet. Talk to 50 potential customers.

• Question: "Is this a problem you would pay to solve?"
• If the answer is "No," pivot.

Step 2: URSB and URA

• URSB: Reserve your name and register as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). It costs approx UGX 100k - 200k.
• URA: Get your TIN immediately. You'll need it for a bank account.

Step 3: Build the MVP

Minimum Viable Product.

• Don't build a spaceship. Build a bicycle.
• Focus on the one core feature that solves the problem.
• Tip: Outsource to a reliable agency like Desishub if you aren't a coder.

Step 4: Finding Funding in Kampala

• Bootstrapping: Use your own savings (safest).
• Grants: Look for NSSF Hi-Innovator or various NGO grants.
• Angels: Kampala Angel Investment Network (KAIN).

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Paperwork: Get legal early to avoid headaches later.
• Lean: Build fast, break things, iterate.
• Sales: Code doesn't matter if no one buys.

Common FAQs

1. Do I need a co-founder? It helps to have one technical and one business co-founder. Solo is hard.

2. How much equity should I give investors? Standard is 10-20% for early-stage seed rounds.

3. Can I register online? Yes, URSB has an online portal, though it can sometimes be glitchy.

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