Author: Our Reporter

Enrolling members into savings, and investment clubs is a key stage in operationalizing such organizations. But when this is done, the harder part is handling operations, which includes keeping customers’ deposits safe, managing the risks that come with handling savings and loans, and ensuring proper record keeping. That is where MfukoPlus comes in handy. This platform is a ‘SACCO Management System’ established and run by Nugsoft Technologies.The HiPipo 40 Days 40 FinTechs team had a chat with Darius Mutasi, the Nugsoft Technologies Business Development Manager. Below is his take on how his organization is improving SACCOs, improvement in FinTech, and…

The world is slowly migrating into a cash-lite and eventually a cashless global economy where all transactions are done without the exchange of cash. As a result, more financial technology companies (FinTechs) are emerging with a variety of solutions to meet consumer needs. However, most of these solutions target a fairly literate population that can at least read and interpret mobile phone prompts, leaving out the illiterate and blind population. It is this problem that PayTota is determined to end with the introduction of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) solution that allows its customers to interact with a computer-operated phone…

MTN Uganda recently launched a dedicated Internet product for businesses through a campaign themed “Get more access to your customer with MTN business internet”. This fiber internet service dubbed MTN Business Internet is specifically tailored to meet the internet needs of small to medium business owners, offering them unlimited fast and reliable internet at a fixed cost per month. MTN business internet provides an affordable yet unlimited internet to meet all business internet connectivity needs such as business email, fast web browsing, online meetings, webinars, large file transfers, connectivity for cloud applications and so much more access to all the…

President Yoweri Kaguta has said he welcomes the idea of the New Hydrogen Technology Initiative by visiting American Actor Terrence Dashon Howard and his wife Mira Pak who are in Uganda to explore Uganda’s tourism potential and investment opportunities in technology. “You are most welcome to Uganda. Am happy about the initiative and I will give you land if you need it. People in the Ministry should take you around and see where the project can best fit. We are ready on our side to work with you,” President Museveni said. The couple, on Wednesday, paid a courtesy call on…

Agriculture remains Uganda’s top employer, with more than 60 percent of the population involved in agricultural activities. Despite this statistic, the industry is largely underfunded, many farm inputs are counterfeited and there is little support for harvest handling and agro marketing. By and large, Ugandan farmers are on their own, living at the mercy of middlemen that determine market prices for both farm inputs and produce. It is these challenges that attract non-government players to chip in with innovative ways of empowering rural farmers. One such player is EzyAgric; an AgriTech and Financial Technology company that has digitized agricultural value…

Our Reporter.True African is with no doubt among the legends of digital financial services in Uganda. They were among the pioneers of short messages (SMS) and later mobile banking in Uganda working with Nile Bank to transfer funds from one account to another. They even had a website where people would log-in and send free SMS! But with time, and more players coming into the market, True African has had to pivot to offering back-end services and extending micro-credit to rural farmers and village saving groups and recently, informal traders in urban areas. “Currently, we do more of aggregation. We…

Our Reporter.Linmart is an online marketplace that links manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers and shoppers to one platform called a MARKET for convenient, timely and cost-effective transactions. Started in October 2021, Linmart is an easy-to-use product where vendors sign-up for free and buyers just use their smartphones, pads or computers to conveniently contact sellers and access products. The HiPipo 40 Days 40 FinTechs team caught up with Fredrick Ssenyonga, the Founder and CEO Linmart for a candid discussion on E-Commerce and FinTech. Below are the excerpts. QN: What was the motivation behind forming Linmart?ANS: We are motivated by the need for…

Our Reporter.When Uganda, just like most parts of the world was put into a total lockdown following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, most businesses were forced to either digitize their services or risk an abrupt closure. But for Jumia Uganda, the lockdown was just an added ingredient to their burgeoning business because this pandemic sparked off an inevitable digital shopping ‘spree’. With the Jumia online marketplace, accessible through both the APP and website, customers scrambled to access all goods right from food deliveries to groceries to electronics, appliances, and pharmaceuticals at affordable rates in the comfort of their homes.…

Umeme has earmarked USD $3 million (Shs11 billion) for power reliability projects in Lugazi, Jinja, Iganga and Kamuli districts. It will replace rotten poles and string cables on the Lugazi Town, Jinja–Kamuli and the Iganga–Kibimba power distribution lines. The company says it is prioritising such projects across Uganda to catalyse economic growth. “We are injecting in $3 million (Sh11 billion) to address the power supply challenges of the line from Jinja, all the way to Kamuli and solve power supply challenges from Iganga to Busitema,” Selestino Babungi, the managing director, said during an engagement between Umeme and security and political…

Our Reporter.The word ‘SafeBoda’ is now a household name for the majority of Ugandans who especially use Boda Bodas – motorcycles for movement in Kampala Metropolitan region. For many Ugandans, riding on a Boda boda used to be an unsafe experience because the riders were reckless, didn’t have customer care and you couldn’t bargain because you didn’t know the right price for your trip. But ever since its entry into the Ugandan market in 2015, SafeBoda has by far revolutionized the boda boda business with uniquely identifiable personnel, fair prices, road discipline, and a trustable workforce. According to Christian Wamambe…