HiPipo Money

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Henry Lutwama as the HiPIpo, Board Vice Chair, Partnerships and Diplomacy. Mr. Lutwama is a notable leader with a diverse career spanning various sectors, including urban management, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation. His dedication to advancing digital literacy, promoting financial inclusion, and establishing sustainable education programs makes him a valuable addition to our board.

Mr. Lutwama brings a wealth of experience from his extensive professional background. For the past three years, he has been the Senior Political Assistant to the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, playing a major role in shaping ICT policies and programs in Uganda. His strategic insights and ability to coordinate political and administrative activities have contributed to the Ministry’s successes.

Prior to his tenure with the Ministry, Mr. Lutwama held several positions at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). His work in urban management, particularly in youth empowerment within the Kampala Capital City Authority, has left a lasting impact. Additionally, his five-year role as Youth Councillor showcased his dedication to initiatives focused on empowering youth.

Mr. Lutwama’s leadership extends beyond urban management and government roles. He served as Chairperson of the Gender and Community Services Committee at the Rubaga Division Urban Council, overseeing initiatives to improve welfare and gender equality. In his three years as Executive Secretary for Finance, Administration, and Human Resources, he ensured efficient and effective service delivery, contributing to the community’s overall well-being.

As a co-founder of Manya Ekika Kyo, Mr. Lutwama has been instrumental in helping the Baganda people understand their totems through digital tools. His innovative approach led to the development of local caller tunes, which have become some of the best-selling cultural content on telecom platforms. Additionally, through Decent Africa, an organisation where he is a co-founder, Mr Lutwama has promoted solid cultural values and women empowerment, focusing on the decency of fashion and the minds of women and girls.

Mr. Lutwama’s commitment to social causes is further exemplified by his leadership in the Poverty Eradication Mission with Clan Leaders, where he spearheaded a mission to raise significant funds for poverty eradication. His role in co-founding the Busolya Education Fund and the Bataka Mutindo Sacco has been key in promoting education and financial literacy within the Bataka community.

Mr. Lutwama holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a Bachelor of International Relations and Diplomatic Studies and a Bachelor of Mass Communication from Makerere University, further strengthening his credentials for this distinguished role. His multilingual abilities complement his extensive skill set, which includes leadership, cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and strategic planning.

We are confident that Mr. Lutwama’s appointment as Board Vice Chair, Partnerships and Diplomacy, will lead to the forging of strong partnerships and advancing our noble mission. His visionary leadership and deep commitment to community development will enrich our organisation and drive us toward even more extraordinary achievements.

Please join us in extending a warm and gracious welcome to Mr. Henry Lutwama as he assumes this critical and impactful role.

We are happy to announce that registration for the fifth season of the annual HiPipo 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative has opened. The HiPipo 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative has undoubtedly set the Innovation and Financial Inclusion bar very high; particularly showcasing both the time and lifesaving abilities of Financial Technology.

Although the 2020 and 2021 seasons ran in the middle of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, they laid the groundwork for this project with more than 200 submissions and about 85 participants altogether. The third edition, which ran in 2022, was bigger and better as it focused on the East African region. Some 47 participants, drawn from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania were featured, out of more than 150 submissions. The fourth season outshone all the previous editions as it focused on end-user experiences of FinTech customers. From Kampala to Lwengo, to Nakasongola, to Gulu, to Arua, to Lira, to Mbale, to Sheema, to Kabale, end-users shared how financial technology had transformed their lives, businesses and communities alike.

Run under HiPipo’s Include Everyone program that also encompasses other initiatives such as FinTech Landscape Exhibition, Women in FinTech Hackathon, Summit & Incubator, and the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit and Digital Impact Awards Africa; the #40Days40FinTechs platform aptly provides a setting for the various players and stakeholders involved in digital and financial technology to exhibit their products and services. It also gives players a platform to share their ideas on how the unserved and underserved by the present financial systems can be brought into the fold.

“We are happy to kick off Season Five of 40 Days 40 FinTechs. Last year, we focused on end-user experiences and this year, we will focus on the innovativeness of the FinTechs. We are going to have candid discussions with FinTechs about their innovations and latest upgrades and what impact they envision these products and services and upgrades will have on their customers,” Innocent Kawooya, the HiPipo Chief Executive Officer noted.

He added: “We shall seek to find out how affordable, available, accessible and equitable these innovations are. Importantly, we look forward to finding out how safe and secure these FinTech solutions are.”

With over 150 participants in the last four years, #40Days40FinTechs continues to be the world’s premier showcase event for innovations that are enabling underserved populations to join the digital economy space. We know that this can only get better owing to the inspiration and collaboration of our partners; Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation Corner and Crosslake Technologies. Most importantly, the initiative owes its continued success to the generous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Now is the time for Digital Innovators and FinTechs from all over Uganda to submit their registration details before 30^th July, 2024 to stand a chance to participate in 40 Days 40 FinTechs Season Five. Participation is on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as your submission meets all the participation requirements.

Important Dates.

40 Days 40 FinTechs Registration: 15^th to 30^th July, 2024. Register here.

Profiling and Featuring 40 Days 40 FinTechs Participants:  5^th August to 20^th September, 2024.

FinTech Landscape Exhibition: 27^th September, 2024.

It was all pomp and colour at the 2024 Women Entrepreneurship Celebrations. Held on 5^th July at MoTIV, Kampala, the event brought together over 100 Women Entrepreneurs that were recognized for their exemplary contribution to developing Uganda’s Entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

Organized by the Ideation Corner Foundation in partnership with HiPipo and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO), the annual Women Entrepreneurship Celebration recognized exceptional women entrepreneurs leading Uganda’s transformation. It gave young and upcoming women innovators an unparalleled chance to network with already established entrepreneurs; and also celebrated milestones that women founders and business leaders have accomplished over the years.

The 2024 edition was much bigger; giving the lucky participants a chance to network, learn, unlearn and re-learn from one another.

While delivering her keynote speech, Ms. Ruth Sebatindira, the Founder of Ligomarc Advocates noted that her more than two decades’ long entrepreneurship experience has taught her that networking is at the center of business success as it is through such engagements that knowledge is shared, business ideas brainstormed, beefed up and implemented. She thus challenged the Women Entrepreneurs to take on networking as a positive business development activity.

“Networking is not a one-day event, it’s a long-term relationship. Establish expertise and credibility in your field, then network intentionally – over lunch, dinner, or a gym session. Use networking to build meaningful connections that open doors to new opportunities,” she said.  

Meanwhile, Ambassador Damali Ssali, the Founder Ideation Corner and also WEDO Ambassador for Uganda noted that the over 100 participants for 2024 were shortlisted from more than 300 Women Entrepreneurs that showed interest in participating in this year’s event through online submissions.

“It is a pleasure to see you all today as we celebrate women entrepreneurs at the Ideation Corner. I am happy to see so many of you taking time out of your busy schedules to join us. As we mark this special occasion, I’m proud to reflect on our growth over the years. From 25 women entrepreneurs at our first celebration to 50 at our second, and now 100 today, we’re making progress! My goal is to see 1,000 women entrepreneurs at our next celebration – yes, I always aim high!” Damali Ssali noted.

She used the same opportunity to announce that as part of Ideation Corner’s continuous efforts to support Entrepreneurs, it was partnering with WEDO to offer a free an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Empowerment program, targeting the first 100 women that will register digitally.

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing business, and I’m excited to announce that the Ideation Corner, in partnership with WEDO, is launching an AI Empowerment Program specifically designed for women entrepreneurs in Uganda. This 6-week course will cover AI applications in small businesses, branding, data analysis, customer engagement, marketing, and sales,” she said, adding;

“Participants will gain practical skills in using AI tools like ChatGPT, chatbots, and data analysis platforms. By joining this program, women entrepreneurs will gain a deeper understanding of AI technologies, develop practical skills, and learn how to leverage AI to enhance their brand identity, improve customer engagement, and drive business growth.”

Additionally, Doreen Nanfuka, the HiPipo Senior Programs Officer noted that honoring Women Entrepreneurs is a step in the right direction and called upon other stakeholders to generously support initiatives such as Women Entrepreneurship Celebration and Women in FinTech program, as these contribute strongly to closing the gender diversity gap in business.

The 2024 edition built on the success of previous celebrations over the years. The inaugural Women Entrepreneurship Celebration was held in 2021 at the Stanbic Business Incubator, Kololo where up to 25 Women Entrepreneurs attended. 

The second edition took a dinner theme held on December 17th, 2022 at Kampala Serena Hotel, attracting up to 50 Women Entrepreneurs who each had a chance to pitch their businesses, share experiences and mutually celebrate each other’s accomplishments.