KAMPALA, May 22 2026 — The Government of Uganda has launched a simplified electronic accounting platform aimed at helping informal small and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] transition into compliant, growth-oriented businesses, as part of wider efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and accelerate economic transformation.
The new e-accounting tool was launched on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury [PSST] at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ramathan Ggoobi, who was acting as the Finance Minister at the event.
Developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development [UNCTAD] under its technical support to the Informality Management for Compliance and Revenue Mobilisation [IMCORE] Programme, the digital platform is designed to simplify bookkeeping, improve financial record-keeping and support enterprises seeking legal and tax formalisation.
Speaking at the launch, Ggoobi described SMEs as the backbone of Uganda’s economy, noting that they continue to play a critical role in job creation and income generation.
According to figures shared during the event, Uganda’s informal sector comprises more than 1.8 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, most of them operated by women, young people and refugees. Collectively, the sector contributes 54.5 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP] and accounts for about 92 per cent of employment.
However, Ggoobi noted that poor financial record-keeping remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing many businesses from expanding and joining the formal economy.
“Without proper records, businesses cannot assess performance, financial institutions cannot trust them and tax compliance remains inconsistent,” he said.
He added that improving financial management practices among small enterprises would be critical to delivering Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy and expanding the country’s productive capacity.
The newly introduced platform provides a single digital window through which businesses can manage accounting records while also supporting legal and fiscal formalisation processes.
During the official handover of the system to the Ministry of Finance following the completion of the pilot phase, Elena Botvina said the tool had been intentionally designed to be accessible, convenient and affordable for small businesses.
She explained that the platform enables entrepreneurs to improve cash management, track expenditure more efficiently and strengthen revenue growth through organised financial reporting.
Results from the pilot phase indicate strong early adoption. Thirty informal enterprises in Kampala participated in the initial testing phase, while more than 490 small businesses have since used the platform on a trial basis. Of those, 241 enterprises have already registered and opened accounts.
Officials said the adoption of the system is expected to deepen financial inclusion, strengthen compliance and create a pathway for thousands of informal businesses to evolve into sustainable medium-sized enterprises.
https://thecooperator.news/speaker-among-cautions-accounting-officers-on-public-resources/
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