Which is the best sector for investment in Uganda?
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Why this analysis?
These innovative series (regularly updated) give ideas for doing business in Uganda.
They particularly help Start Ups, Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) as well as investors (including diaspora) seeking to venture into new sectors in Uganda.
They provide case studies of our over view of the issues facing the sector as well as our analysis of the revenue, start up costs and profit for selected sectors. They also include our “advanced thinking” tips on success in that venture.
About us.
We are an ethical business advisory firm. Our thought leadership team using it’s combined 30 years’ experience including from Uganda, the Bahamas and the UK is keen to help businesses in Uganda succeed through “advanced thinking”. Find out more about us.
To find out how, “Top Gear” inspired us and how we obtain our information or select our rankings for the “Best Sectors” list below, click here to read more »
Information for multinationals and large size entities/investors
Whilst the series are written with a Ugandan Small and Medium Size Entity (SME) in mind, owing to our over 30 years’ experience including with large scale enterprises in different countries, we have sufficient understanding of the Uganda macro economic environment and the different sectors to provide information and analysis to assist large scale entities seeking to operate in Uganda. This includes our understanding of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) including its compendium of business ideas as well as the investment incentive regime in Uganda. For these needs, please contact our leadership team.
BEST PERFORMING SECTORS(TO DATE) FOR INVESTMENT IN UGANDA**
(Click on each of the sector links below to read the detailed analysis and articles.)
| Rank | Sector/Business | Return on Investment In years and % |
Total start up capital (UGX) |
Date of article (and amendments) |
| 1 | Forestry | 0.21(annualised*) years, 476.19% | 22,027,750 | 1/1/2012 |
| 2 | Mushrooms | 0.23 years, 434.78% | 4,420,00 | 9/10/2012 |
| 3 | Agriculture(fruits and vegetables) | 0.26 years, 384.62% | 13,538,374 | 3/3/2012 |
| 4 | Restaurant (fast food) | 0.34 years, 294.12% | 45,108,000 | 6/7/2014 |
| 5 | Tree nursery | 0.38 years, 263.16% | 7,770,950 | 22/03/15 |
| 6 | Property Management | 0.6 years, 166.67% | 35,149,155 | 26/01/12 |
| 7 | Pharmacy | 0.875 years, 114.29% | 43,328,920 | 05/01/14 |
| 8 | Cosmetics manufacture | 1.11 years, 90.09% | 39,337,072 | 25/8/14 |
| 9 | Poultry farming | 1.14 years, 87.72% | 28,342,419 | 30/10/11 (amended 3 November 2011) |
| 10 | Video games | 1.324 years, 75.53% | 19,250,000 | 3 May 2014 |
| 11 | Maize growing | 1.405 years, 71.17% | 34,188,000 | 8-Jan-13 |
| 12 | Stock exchange(stocks and bonds) | 1.65 years, 60.61% | 18,931,650 | 14/03/12 |
| 13 | Online classifieds portal | 1.67 years, 59.88% | 19,894,750 | 16/11/11 |
| 14 | VOIP business(with Internet cafe) | 1.71 years, 58.48% | 20,383,275 | 15/10/11 |
| 15 | Money lending | 2.46 years, 40.65% | 45,432,420 | 8/8/13 |
| 16 | Forex Trading | 2.48 years, 40.32% | 28,000,000 | 15/10/2011 |
| 17 | Piggery | 2.89 years, 34.6% | 7,738,248 | 7/05/2012 |
| 18 | Coffee shop | 3.10 years, 32.26% | 81,065,820 | 20/10/2013 |
| 19 | DJ/Mobile Disco | 3.69 years, 27.10% | 23,911,020 | 15/10/2011 |
| 20 | Dairy farming | 4.18 years, 23.92% | 44,273,900 | 14/6/2013 |
| 21 | Transport logistics | 4.49 years, 22.27% | 101,684,000 | 22/11/2015 |
| 22 | Sorghum | 6.10 years, 16.39% | 121,357,096 | 10/09/2016 |
| 23 | Dance Group | 6.26 years, 15.97% | 13,457,910 | 5/12/2011 |
| 24 | Internet/Cyber cafe | 7.01 years, 14.27% | 16,048,000 | 15/10/2011 |
| 25 | Taxi business | 11.54 years, 8.67% | 17,000,000 | 7/11/2011 |
| 26 | Cassava growing | 35 years, 2.86% | 16,220,500 | 6/07/2019 |
**On the basis of Return on Investment as determined from the sector analysis page.
P.s: For up-to date foreign exchange rates between the Uganda Shilling (UGX) and the various currencies, visit: www.oanda.com
Please note: The table above is constantly changing as we analyse more sectors. If your sector of interest is not featured, we can still help. Speak to us.
Next Steps?
1. Start your journey by subscribing to the newsletter. We post regular updates whenever we feature new sectors. But more importantly, because the entrepreneurial journey can be fairly challenging, especially in Uganda we believe you need a network to support you. Join our over 500 subscribers and clients who obtain marketing, accounting, corporate governance and other thought leadership articles to help them start, grow and consolidate their business.
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2. Speak to the team. We can help you refine your requirements and determine what might be best for you. If your sector is not profiled above, we can still help. We for example do regular feasibility studies and business plans. Find out how we can help.
If you would like a FREE consultation, for example through review of your draft business plan. We are happy to do so. Speak to the team.
