Entrepreneurship education plays a critical role in fostering business creation, which is essential for job creation and economic growth. Globally, over 70% of employment is driven by businesses, and entrepreneurs are at the
heart of this ecosystem. Recognizing this, MUBS has adopted an innovative approach by integrating community
entrepreneurship into its curriculum. This strategy is aligned with the broader national efforts to promote entrepreneurship, which has become an essential driver of employment and economic development in Uganda.
The Importance of Entrepreneurship Education in Uganda. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and studies by the International Trade Centre (ITC), entrepreneurship contributes significantly to employment and innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) make up about 90% of private sector businesses, employing 2.5 million people and contributing over 20% to the GDP.
However, many Ugandan entrepreneurs face challenges such as limited access to funding, inadequate training, and low levels of business formalization, making education a key solution to unlocking their potential. MUBS; Community Entrepreneurship Model. To address these challenges, MUBS has integrated a hands- on teaching approach where students actively engage with community entrepreneurs. This interaction allows students to learn real-world business practices and gain practical experience that complements Regional Campus News Community-Based Entrepreneurship Teaching: A Path to Uganda’s Economic Redemption MUBS – October 2024 21 Regional Campus News classroom learning.
Through activities such as business tours, entrepreneurship walks, and interactions with local enterprises, students acquire insights into challenges and innovations in sectors like tourism, arts, and crafts. MUBS’ partnership with
initiatives like the Mastercard Foundation’s Innovation Village in Jinja, which provides incubation services for start-ups. These collaborations aim to deepen the students’ practical knowledge and support entrepreneurship development from secondary to tertiary levels.
By linking with the new secondary school curriculum focused on practical skills, MUBS supports entrepreneurship clubs in high schools, helping young learners start small enterprises that serve as training grounds. Building Future Entrepreneurs for Economic Development. Through its teaching model, MUBS aims to nurture job creators rather than job seekers. This approach resonates with findings that entrepreneurship can thrive when entrepreneurs are trained and supported on the job. The school’s target is to ensure that each graduate leaves with both academic knowledge and a running business venture, thereby reducing youth unemployment and contributing to economic stability. With over 13,000 businesses registered annually in Uganda, efforts like those by MUBS align with the national strategy of reducing unemployment and boosting the SME sector, which remains pivotal for Uganda’s economic growth. The entrepreneurial ecosystem, while still developing, is increasingly vibrant, with institutions like MUBS playing a key role in shaping the next generation of business leaders. By integrating community engagements into its entrepreneurship programme, MUBS not only enhances learning but also strengthens the
link between the academia and the real business world.
This community- centric approach will help create sustainable enterprises, contribute to job creation, and foster national development, positioning entrepreneurship as a key pillar of Uganda’s economic redemption. For more information on Uganda’s entrepreneurship statistics and trends, visit the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM)
and International Trade Centre (ITC) reports.