By Solomon Lubambula.
The Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) has been recognised as the first Self Regulator Organisation in Uganda a step that is expected to improve efficiency and streamline capital markets.
Speaking at the launch of the World Investors’ Week, Paul Bwiso, the CEO Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) said the self regulator status accorded means that the overall regulatir Capital Markets Authority has extended part of its powers to USE to ensure better guidance and protection of investors, clients and other players under its mandate.
Bwiso says with this recognition, the USE aims at reducing on the bureaucracies as it guides investors but also set higher standards for all players.
This recognition was unveiled at the USE offices in Nakawa as the Capital Markets Aurthority launched of the World Investor Week 2025 (WIW 2025), a global campaign initiated by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to promote investor education, awareness, and protection.
The week-long campaign, that started on 27th running till 31st October 2025, will be held under the theme “From Savings to Smart Investments: Building Your Financial Future with Technology.”
This year’s theme highlights the journey from traditional saving habits to intentional, technology-enabled investing.
Bwiso stressed that theme underscores how digital platforms are transforming investment access, safety, and transparency, encouraging Ugandans to move from informal savings to active participation in the capital markets through innovations such as the USE Easy Portal, Unit Trust mobile applications, online trading platforms, and other fintech solutions that simplify the investment process.
“Technology is the bridge connecting Ugandans to new opportunities for growth and wealth creation.” Bwiso added.
Josephine Ossiya, the Chief Executive Officer Capital Markets Authority said that during this Investors Week, the authority working USE and Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) will engage members of the informal sector to ensure they graduate from mere savings to taking on smart and safe investments in capital markets.
Ossiya adds, leveraging the technological advancement, CMA is targeting the young people to interest them in Capital Markets im order to grow the domestic capitalisation from 5% to 10% of the gross domestic product.
“I reaffirmed CMA’s commitment to leveraging innovation and digital transformation to make Uganda’s capital markets more efficient, transparent, and inclusive”-Ossiya noted.
She urged investors to take advantage of opportunities within regulated markets and remain vigilant against fraudulent investment schemes.
Ossiya highlighted the Regulatory Sandbox as a demonstration of CMA’s forward-looking approach to fintech regulation, a controlled environment where innovators can safely test new products and services under the Authority’s oversight
Through the various initiatives this week, CMA and USE aim to raise public awareness, deepen financial literacy, and inspire more Ugandans to harness technology as a pathway to sustainable investment and long-term wealth creation.