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Top 5 Mistakes Companies Make When Buying Software in Uganda

Avoid the common pitfalls. Learn the top 5 mistakes Ugandan businesses make when investing in custom software or ERP systems and how to avoid them.

Table of Contents

  1. The High Cost of Tech Mistakes
  2. Mistake 1: Choosing "Cheap" over "Quality"
  3. Mistake 2: Failing to Define Clear Requirements
  4. Mistake 3: Ignoring Post-Launch Maintenance
  5. Mistake 4: Over-complicating the MVP
  6. Mistake 5: Not Considering Mobile Money Integration
  7. How to Hire a Developer in 2026
  8. Conclusion

The High Cost of Tech Mistakes

In the rush to digitize, many businesses in Kampala are losing millions of shillings on software that simply doesn't work. According to recent industry reports, over 60% of custom software projects in Uganda fail to meet their original goals.

Why? Because buying software isn't like buying a car; it's like building a house. If the foundation is wrong, the roof will eventually collapse.

Mistake 1: Choosing "Cheap" over "Quality"

We see this every week. A business owner hires a "300,000 UGX developer" to build a complex inventory system.

  • The Reality: High-quality software engineering takes time and expensive talent.
  • The Result: The system is full of bugs, insecure, and eventually abandoned, costing the business tenfold in lost data and frustration.

Mistake 2: Failing to Define Clear Requirements

"I want a system like Jumia" is not a requirement. Without a detailed list of features, your developer will "guess."

  • Solution: Before hiring, document every step of your business process. Who clicks what? Where does the data go? Desishub offers Requirement Scoping as a separate service to help you avoid this.

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Mistake 3: Ignoring Post-Launch Maintenance

Software is a living asset. Windows updates, browsers change, and hackers discover new vulnerabilities.

  • The Mistake: Thinking the one-time payment is the "end."
  • Solution: Always budget 10-20% of the initial cost for annual maintenance and security patches.

Mistake 4: Over-complicating the MVP

Many founders want "everything now." They try to build a 50-feature system for a business that hasn't even had its first customer yet.

  • The Mistake: Spending 6 months and 50M UGX on features nobody uses.
  • Solution: Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Launch fast, get feedback, and add features as you grow.

Mistake 5: Not Considering Mobile Money Integration

In Uganda, if your business software doesn't talk to MTN or Airtel Money, you are still doing 50% of your work manually.

  • The Mistake: Buying international software that only supports "PayPal or Credit Cards."
  • Solution: Prioritize developers (like Desishub) who understand the local payment landscape and can automate your MoMo reconciliations.

How to Hire a Developer in 2026

  1. Check their Stack: Are they using modern tech (Next.js, Go) or legacy PHP?
  2. Ask for Client Refs: Contact their previous clients in Kampala.
  3. Security First: Ask how they protect your user data.
  4. Portfolio Speed: Test their previous sites on your phone. Are they fast?

Conclusion

Buying software is a strategic investment. Don't let a "good deal" today become a "money pit" tomorrow. Focus on technical quality, clear requirements, and long-term support.

Avoid the Pitfalls

Book a Free Tech Consultation with Desishub. We help you define your needs before you spend a single shilling on development.