Informal Sector Groups Join Forces to Unlock Investment and Affordable Credit

What the report says

The Union Transport Alliance and the United Informal Sector Forum have formed a partnership aimed at bringing together informal sector groups to improve their bargaining power, draw in investment and expand access to affordable financing, according to Nile Post. The launch also framed the effort as part of a broader push to formalise businesses and create more structured support for workers and operators in Uganda’s informal economy.

Nile Post reported that the Union Transport Alliance has grown from a base of boda boda riders into a wider network that now includes taxi and truck operators. Speaking at the launch, alliance business product adviser Senoga Fred said the larger membership base could help generate business opportunities and strengthen the sector’s position in the market. United Informal Sector Forum leader Asuman Mwanje, who also chairs the Uganda Tailors Association and speaks for KACITA, said the partnership would help address problems such as business formalisation and dispute resolution.

The groups said they plan to work with government agencies to support formal registration of member enterprises and improve internal systems for handling commercial disagreements. They also announced an education support programme for members’ families, with bursaries for primary and secondary school students.

Other initiatives mentioned at the launch included a push toward electric vehicles in the transport sector, greater use of digital trading systems and plans to establish a cooperative bank to pool member contributions and extend credit. Nile Post said the partnership follows an international study tour involving more than 1,000 members to Dubai, India and China.