By Denis Muteguya
Imagine a world where governments step back and let their citizens fend entirely for themselves. Who needs support, stability, or investment-friendly policies, anyway? Isn’t the true thrill of running a business in the ability to overcome constant obstacles alone? For the boldest entrepreneurs, navigating unpredictable waters without any help isn’t just a challenge it’s a rite of passage. In this ideal world of struggle, you’d have no safety net, no capital support, and no regulatory predictability. Isn’t that the real test of resilience?
Now let’s take Uganda, a country that endured years of political instability and economic turmoil in the 1970s and early ’80s. With the arrival of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Uganda entered a new era, one of peace and relative prosperity. The government invested in security, economic reforms, and programs that help small business owners. Some may argue that this has improved the quality of life and created opportunities for entrepreneurs. But what if that stability and support actually made life too easy?
In Uganda today, programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) aim to empower citizens with resources to create sustainable businesses. Through PDM, funds flow to rural communities to build income at the grassroots level.
Emyooga supports trades-people like market vendors and boda-boda drivers with financing options to help them thrive, and YLP empowers young entrepreneurs to grow ventures that provide jobs. However, if you crave a “true” test of entrepreneurial endurance, these initiatives might feel like shortcuts. After all, real grit develops when you’re left entirely to your own devices, doesn’t it?
In countries like Somalia and Sudan, where political instability and security concerns prevail, entrepreneurs face daunting challenges every day. In these regions, no one has the “luxury” of a stable government; instead, business owners brave fragmented economies, limited infrastructure, and a constant sense of insecurity. For some, this lack of structure might seem like a burden. But for others, it’s the ultimate proving ground a place where only the strongest survive. Why not let Uganda have the same edge?
When the NRM created an enabling environment for businesses, it eliminated the chaos of daily survival that had been the status quo. Now, Ugandans can focus on innovation, build upon a strong foundation, and reach international markets. But, where’s the thrill in that? Some might argue that “too much” stability makes it easy for businesses to flourish, denying people the character-building experience of constant struggle. Why should Uganda have reliable infrastructure, peace, and programs that support the grassroots? Surely a “real” entrepreneur would prefer the challenge of operating in an uncertain and unfriendly environment.
Take the infrastructure improvements Uganda has seen in recent decades. The government has expanded power access, improved transportation networks, and upgraded digital connectivity. Instead of seeing these as advantages, imagine they’re making life too easy. Wouldn’t it be far more “adventurous” if every road trip was a gamble and every power outage threatened business as usual? There’s something to be said for the edge that constant risk brings, right?
Or consider capital access. Through programs like PDM and Emyooga, Uganda has created channels for small businesses to access funding at local levels. But what if this “support” actually undercuts the entrepreneurial journey? After all, if everyone can start a business with a little bit of help, doesn’t it diminish the exclusivity of success? Surely, it would be far more satisfying to build an empire entirely alone, without any assistance or encouragement. Think about it, self-made success is the only “real” success, right?
Opposition leaders add another layer to the mix. As Uganda faces challenges, opposition figures often promise the moon to disadvantaged communities, claiming they will bring better roads, schools, and hospitals. But here’s the twist: they know they don’t actually build the infrastructure themselves. Instead, they make these promises to stir up frustration among voters, playing on people’s struggles to strengthen their own political image.
Ironically, these same leaders often enjoy luxurious lives and international travel at the expense of the taxpayer. While urging citizens to be patient for change, they take advantage of the very government they critique. If this irony doesn’t highlight the contradictions in their promises, what will?
The Ugandan government’s efforts in economic reform and policy have encouraged local and foreign investments, fueling job creation and increasing national prosperity. These reforms have opened Uganda to international trade, making it an attractive destination for investment. But maybe the market’s vibrancy, the inflow of jobs, and opportunities in various sectors create an “unfair” advantage. Why give entrepreneurs access to growing markets, security, and connections to international investors when they could be scrambling just to survive?
In contrast, imagine Venezuela a country once booming with oil wealth but now crippled by economic collapse, hyperinflation, and a government that cannot provide essential services. In Venezuela’s harsh conditions, businesses must innovate every day to overcome obstacles like food shortages, currency devaluation, and electricity blackouts. That, some might argue, is the “true” entrepreneurial journey the fight to stay afloat in a sea of instability and scarcity. Uganda, with its stable business environment, denies its entrepreneurs this exhilarating struggle.
Is all this talk of stability and support spoiling Ugandans? Do programs like PDM, Emyooga, and YLP create a “too safe” atmosphere, taking away the pleasure of a fight against the odds? Should Uganda embrace a more “adventurous” path where businesses are left to fend for themselves, without programs or government incentives?
Certainly, there’s a case to be made that self-reliance builds resilience. Yet, when we look at the global landscape, countries that have embraced stability and support like Singapore and South Korea have propelled themselves into economic powerhouses. Their governments have invested in education, infrastructure, and favourable business conditions, transforming small economies into global hubs. Perhaps there’s value in such support after all.
At the end of the day, the government’s role is to enable its people to thrive, not by handing out success but by creating conditions where businesses can stand on their own. Uganda, with its growing stability and pro-business environment, gives its citizens the chance to rise, innovate, and contribute to the nation’s progress. It may not be the “wild adventure” of constant struggle, but it’s a path toward sustainable success, one that strengthens Uganda’s economy and improves lives across the board.
The writer is a socio-economic commentator and political analyst!
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