CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE UCC/UCSAF DIGITAL SKILLING FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMES) IN KYOTERA (MUTUKULA), MOYO, MASINDI AND NTUNGAMO DISTRICTS FY 2026/2027

Introduction

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), invites eligible organisations to submit Business Plan Proposals for the implementation of a Digital Skilling Programme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kyotera (Mutukula), Moyo, Masindi and Ntungamo Districts during the Financial Year 2026/2027.

The programme aims to strengthen the digital capacity of approximately 2,000 MSMEs by equipping them with practical, market-oriented digital skills that enhance business productivity, competitiveness, financial inclusion and participation in the digital economy. The intervention will enable participating enterprises to effectively adopt and utilise digital technologies in business operations, customer engagement, digital marketing, e-commerce, financial management and other technology-enabled business processes.

Accordingly, UCC/UCSAF seeks to partner with competent organisation(s) or consortium with the technical expertise, institutional capacity and demonstrated experience to design and deliver practical, results-oriented and sustainable digital skilling interventions that contribute to enterprise growth, digital inclusion and local economic development.

General Objective

The general objective of the scheme is to enhance the digital capacity, productivity and competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the selected districts by equipping them with practical digital skills that strengthen business operations, improve market access, and promote the adoption of digital technologies.

Target Areas

The proposed intervention will target Kyotera (Mutukula), Moyo, Masindi and Ntungamo Districts, which are strategically located along major commercial and cross-border trade corridors. These districts present significant opportunities to enhance the digital capacity of MSMEs, strengthen business competitiveness, improve access to local and regional markets and promote technology-enabled enterprise growth. By equipping MSMEs with practical digital skills and supporting the adoption of digital business solutions, the intervention will contribute to increased business productivity, financial inclusion, market expansion and sustainable local economic development.

Eligibility of applicants

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Eligible applicants (lead and co-applicants in consortia) must:
   Be a not-for-profit entity. Where the proposed solution is to be delivered through a consortium, the lead applicant must be a not-for-profit organisation.
2. Both the lead applicant and any co-applicant, in the case of a consortium shall be legally registered and established entities in Uganda.
3. Where an application is submitted by a consortium, both the lead applicant and the co-applicant(s) shall sign the Grant Agreement with the Commission and shall assume joint responsibility and accountability for the implementation of the project, including compliance with all grant conditions, deliverables and reporting obligations.
4. The applicant (both lead and co-applicant in case of a consortium) must be in satisfactory financial health and have adequate structures and systems to manage the project as shall be required.
5. The applicant (either the lead applicant or co-applicant, in the case of a consortium) shall provide documented evidence of at least two (2) years’ experience in digital literacy training.

Application Timeline

The grant application is open from 10th August 2026 to 21st August 2026. A Pre-grant Application meeting will be held on-line on 17th August 2026 at 11:00am. The meeting link: https://teams.microsoft.com/met/349587469613529?p=tzV9qAxh7NJu7ovtHxQ

Detailed Statement of Requirements: https://www.ucc.org.ug/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CALL-FOR-PROPOSALS-FOR-THE-UCC-UCSAF-DIGITAL-SKILLING-FOR-MICRO-SMALL-AND-MEDIUM-ENTERPRISES-MSMES-IN-KYOTERA-MUTUKULA-MOYO-MASINDI-AND-NTUNGAMO-DISTRICTS-FY-2026-2027.pdf

Applications must be submitted through the grant application portal at https://eservices.ucc.co.ug/webby by 5:00 pm on 21st August 2026.

For inquiries, contact:
Tel: +256 412 339000/+256 312 339000
Email: ucsaf@ucc.co.ug