- The maximum loan amount to a single borrower is up to Shs.2.1billion. However, this amount can be increased up to Shs.5billion on a case by case basis (for eligible projects that add significant value to the Agriculture sector and the economy as a whole). There is no designated minimum loan amount to the final beneficiary (farmer/ agro-processor) but BoU can only reimburse a minimum of Shs 10million to the PFIs.
- Loan Tenure : The maximum loan period should not exceed 8 years and the minimum should be 6 months.
- Grace Period:The Grace Period is up to a maximum of 3 years.
- Interest Rate : The interest rate to the final borrower is up to a maximum of 12% per annum. The 50% GoU contribution is disbursed to the PFIs at zero
Government programs
Agricultural Credit Facility
- Loan Amount:Up to to Shs.2.1billion for a single borrower
- Loan Term: Upto 8 years and the minimum should be 6 months.
- Interest Rate: 12% per annum
- The primary security for the credit facilities is the machinery and equipment financed, where applicable, and any other marketable securities provided by the borrower/final beneficiary. PFIs may seek additional security based on their evaluation of the risk profile of the project being financed.
- The PFIs shall ensure that the loan is adequately secured as per their credit policy to protect their interest and that of the BoU and the GoU.
Small Business Recovery Fund
- Loan Amount:Up to to Ugx 200 billion
- Loan Term: Upto minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 4 years
- Interest Rate: 10% per annum
- The loan repayment period is a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 4 years, which includes a grace period of a maximum of 1 year depending on the nature of the project and as determined by the respective participating financial institution.
- The maximum loan amount shall be UGX200 million, however, there is no minimum loan
amount - Loan processing fees will not exceed 0.5% of the total loan amount and shall be one-off charge.
- The loans are offered at a discounted interest rate of 10% per annum, which is on a reducing balance.
- Small businesses operated by individuals, groups, partnerships, and companies, employing between 2-49 people and with an annual turnover of UGX 10 million to UGX 300 million, are eligible to borrow under this Fund.
- The businesses should be able to demonstrate capacity for recovery.
- Agri-businesses or agricultural activities that are eligible under the Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) and those that have already been financed under ACF are not eligible for funding under this Small Business Recovery Fund.
Electricity Access Scale-Up Project (EASP)
The EASP, supported by the World Bank, aims to connect a large number of new customers by 2027 to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, aligning with Uganda’s Vision 2040.
- Customers within a radius of 90 meters to the nearest electricity pole will benefit from the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project. These are customers who require;
- No Pole service up to 35meters radius to the nearest Pole.
- A Pole service up to 90 meters to the nearest electricity pole.
- Application Process: The process involves hiring an ERA-certified electrician, applying to UEDCL with required documents (wiring certificate, ID, map, wayleaves), paying inspection fees and preloaded energy unit costs, and undergoing a technical survey by UEDCL.
- Customers within a 90-meter radius of a low voltage electricity pole are eligible, including those needing no-pole or one-pole service within specific distances.
- The applicant must have the following:
- Wiring certificate.
- Identification documents i.e. photocopy of National ID.
- A map showing where the premise is.
- Wayleaves-permission from landowners through which the line will pass (if applicable).
GROW Loan
- Loan Amount: Minimum of UGX 4m to a maximum of UGX 200 m
- Loan repayment period: 6 months to 2 years.
- Interest Rate: 10% per year
- The GROW loan repayment period ranges from 6 months to 2 years.
- The GROW loan ranges from a minimum of UGX 4 million to a maximum of UGX 200 million.
- Priority sectors under the GROW project are agribusiness, science and technology, services, manufacturing, and construction.
- The GROW Project aims at supporting women-owned enterprises.
- The GROW loans are currently accessed through six Commercial Banks including Centenary Bank, DFCU Bank, Equity Bank, Stanbic Bank, Finance Trust Bank, and Post Bank.
- Women-owned micro and small enterprises in which a woman entrepreneur owns at least 51% shares of the business.
- Hold or open an account in the bank.
- Complete the loan application process.
- Proof of cashflow.
- Proof of an ongoing business (trading license).
- For contract financing, a contract to be financed and call-off orders will be required.
- Flexible security requirements, including personal or group guarantees, movable assets, registered and unregistered land and land titles.
Student Loans
Higher Education Student Financing Board (HESFB)
Service Delivery at HESFB
- The Ministry of Education and Sports under its mandate has started the implementation of Financing Higher Education studies for Ugandans through the Higher Education Students’ Financing Act, 2014 by setting up the Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB).
- The objective of the Board is to increase equitable access to higher education in Uganda and also support qualified students who may not afford higher education.
- The Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB) has been established to address the problem of inequitable access to higher education by many Ugandan citizens given the large number of dropouts due to their inability to meet the costs of higher education.
- Be a Ugandan
- Be Admitted to a Private Chartered University or Public University or a listed Other Tertiary Institution in Uganda. Accreditation is by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
- Applicant must be pursuing any of HESFB’s approved STEM Programs or Programs approved under affirmative Action.
- Demonstrate a financial
- Be joining in the First Year of
- MUST not be a beneficiary of any other Scholarship or Funding Opportunity
Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment
- A public‑sector initiative co-funded by the World Bank and other partners to support MSMEs, especially those engaged in manufacturing, exporting, and refugee-hosting communities
- Partial Credit Guarantee Facility
INVITE shares 50% of the loan risk with banks to help MSMEs access funding with better terms like lower interest or longer repayment periods. - Long-Term Flexible Loans (UGX)
Provides long-tenure loans in Ugandan shillings to MSMEs or public entities for growth, transformation, or recovery efforts. - Loan Extension Cost-Sharing
For MSMEs restructuring loans (especially post-COVID), INVITE contributes to the cost of extending amortisation periods. - Discounted Loan Interest via MFIs
INVITE provides credit lines to MFIs, enabling them to offer loans at reduced interest rates to micro and small businesses. - Receivables Financing (Invoice Discounting)
Businesses can sell unpaid invoices to the INVITE Trust at a small discount to access quick and affordable working capital. - Dedicated Support for Refugee-Hosting Communities
Special consideration is given to enterprises operating in refugee-hosting districts.
- Must be a registered Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise (MSME) in Uganda.
- Priority is given to businesses involved in manufacturing, export-oriented sectors, or industrial value chains.
- Companies in refugee-hosting districts (e.g., West Nile, Northern Uganda) are highly encouraged to apply.
- Must be willing to apply through an approved Partner Financial Institution (PFI) such as a bank or MFI.
Large-Scale Commercial Farmer Interest-Free Credit Facility
- Loan Amount: Up to UGX 176 billion.
- Loan repayment period: Up to 6 years.
- Interest Rate: 0% interest to farmers.
- The total facility is UGX 176 billion.
- Disbursed through Pride Microfinance, Post Bank, and Housing Finance Bank.
- The exact maximum per farmer/entity is not yet publicly fixed, but funding is aligned with acreage and input needs.
- Targeted crops: maize, beans, soya beans, sorghum, and animal feeds.
- Structured disbursement: funds are released in phases to match planting and harvesting timelines.
- Institutional lending: only through selected government-backed financial institutions.
- Must be a formally registered entity (company, cooperative, or farmer organization).
- Must control at least 50 acres of farmland.
- Must be engaged in large-scale commercial farming of the specified crops.
- Must be able to demonstrate capacity for repayment and structured farming operations.
Support to Agricultural Revitalization & Transformation
- START facility is a blended finance facility designed
to enhance access to finance for agri-business SMEs involved in agro-processing and value addition.
- The financing range is UGX 50m to UGX 900m. Eligible SMEs are required to contribute a minimum of 25% in equity to the total project cost.
- The equity contribution by the developer may come in a variety of forms – cash or non-cash/ in-kind e.g., land, plant & equipment, working capital etc. Any such owner’s contribution must be relevant and necessary to the implementation of the project.
- Project developers will need to provide evidence of land ownership. Land is necessary since its where premises
of SMEs are expected to be established and may be helpful in providing the required collateral.
- Any agribusiness SMEs in Uganda involved in value addition. Priority will be given to SMEs that put particular
attention to and empower vulnerable groups (women, refugees and host communities, people with disabilities and
least developed sub-regions) and green practices. - The agribusiness applicant must.
- Have between 2 – 100 employees
- Have annual turnover or total assets ranging from UGX 10m to UGX 500m.
- Have been in operation for at least 2 years
Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund
- UCUSAF is a government initiative managed by UCC to promote universal access to communication services, especially in underserved and unserved areas across Uganda
Strategic Focus Areas: The fund operates under four main strategic themes:
- Access: Expanding the reach of communication services.
- Adoption and Usage: Encouraging the use of digital tools and services.
- Value Creation: Promoting ICT applications that add value to various sectors.
- Cooperation: Fostering partnerships to enhance service delivery.
- Operational Cycles: UCUSAF has undergone multiple operational cycles, with the current being the fourth, focusing on “Digital Inclusivity through sustainable interventions and impactful collaborations.”
Programmatic Areas: UCUSAF implements various programs, including:
- ICT in Education
- ICT for Agriculture
- Digital Skilling Programs
- Research Support
- Access Infrastructure Development
- Devices for Underserved Communities
- ICT for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
- Internet Connectivity Initiatives
- Targeted Beneficiaries: Programs are designed for underserved and unserved communities, including rural areas, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and smallholder farmers.
- Organizational Requirements: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and other relevant entities may be eligible to apply for grants or partnerships, especially for implementing digital literacy and infrastructure projects.
- Program-Specific Criteria: Each program may have its own set of requirements. For instance:
- Device Financing Initiatives: Beneficiaries might need to demonstrate a lack of access to digital devices and a commitment to digital literacy.
- Digital Skilling Programs: Participants may be required to undergo basic ICT training before receiving support.
- ICT for Agriculture: Farmers or cooperatives may need to show interest in integrating ICT into their agricultural practices.