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How to Start a Tech Company in Uganda A Practical Guide (2026)

From registration to raising capital. A step-by-step guide for aspiring tech entrepreneurs in Kampala in the age of AI-First Startups.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Step 1: The "AI-First" Mindset
  3. Step 2: Registration (URSB & URA)
  4. Step 3: Building the MVP (Lean)
  5. Step 4: Funding & Landscape 2026
  6. Step 5: Remote vs Office
  7. Summary & Key Takeaways
  8. Common FAQs

So you have an app idea. You think it's the next SafeBoda or Chippercash. But the landscape has changed. In 2026, you aren't just building a software company; you are building an AI Company.

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

Startup Team Brainstorming

Step 1: The "AI-First" Mindset

Don't just add AI later. Build your core value proposition around AI.

  • Example: Don't build a "Study App." Build "An AI Tutor that personalizes the UNEB syllabus for each student."
  • Validation: Use AI tools to generate landing pages and ads to test demand before you write a single line of backend code.

Step 2: URSB and URA

  • URSB: Reserve your name and register as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Using the new Online Business Registration System (OBRS), this can now be done fully remotely.
  • URA: Get your TIN immediately. Integration with EFRIS is now mandatory for almost all B2B transactions.

Step 3: Build the MVP

Minimum Viable Product.

  • No-Code Tools: Use tools like FlutterFlow or Bubble to build a prototype in 2 weeks.
  • Outsource: If you need complex AI logic, partner with an agency like Desishub.

Step 4: Finding Funding in Kampala

The funding winter is thawing, but investors are picky.

  • Focus Areas: Climate Tech, Fintech 2.0 (Stablecoins), and AI-for-Agriculture.
  • Sources:
    • NSSF Hi-Innovator: Continued support for early-stage scalable businesses.
    • Kampala Angel Investment Network (KAIN).
    • Global Accelerators: Y Combinator and Techstars are increasingly looking at African AI startups.

Step 5: Remote-First Teams

Do you need an expensive office in Kololo? Probably not.

  • Strategy: Hire the best talent from Gulu, Mbarara, or Jinja. Run a "Remote-First" culture using Slack and Zoom.
  • Savings: Save that rent money and spend it on cloud credits and marketing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Efficiency: Use AI to do the work of 10 people.
  • Compliance: EFRIS and URSB online compliance is non-negotiable.
  • Lean: Stay remote, keep costs low, and validate fast.

Common FAQs

1. Do I need a co-founder? It helps to have one technical and one business co-founder. Solo is hard, but AI makes it easier than before ("The One-Person Unicorn").

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

3. Can I register online? Yes, URSB's OBRS system is much improved in 2026.

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