The Koola Kampala programme (literally meaning ‘Working in Kampala’) is a business incubation programme destined for cultural and creative entrepreneurs in Kampala. Africalia is implementing the programme in collaboration with incubator The Bold Woman Fund. Its aim is to strengthen Uganda’s cultural and creative industries through structured business support, mentorship, and skills development for cultural entrepreneurs.

Who?

Koola Kampala is a tailor-made programme designed for cultural and creative businesses run by young entrepreneurs in Kampala. Their mission focuses on the creation, development, (re)production, promotion, distribution, or commercialisation of cultural and artistic goods, services, and activities.

Why?

The initiative to launch the Koola Kampala programme is rooted in the belief that successful businesses play an important economic role in the structuring and development of the broader cultural and creative ecosystem. After all, they maintain a network of partners and suppliers, create decent jobs for youth, and boost economic and social innovation.

What?

Jointly implemented by Africalia and The Bold Woman Fund, Koola Kampala is a 12-month incubation program, consisting of a pre-incubation phase with tailored group and individual coaching and, following a pitch, a main incubation program in which 12 entrepreneurs participate. The entrepreneurs receive extensive support to structure and sustain their businesses. Specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses in the sector, Koola Kampala hence contributes to the consolidation of their entrepreneurial activities and boosts their access to the market.

Throughout the program, the entrepreneurs benefit from various business and CCI's training modules, coaching, creative mentoring, and access to field experts. This approach favors the practical and theoretical integration of the entrepreneurial training modules and creative modules. In this way, Africalia aims to strengthen the essential role of cultural entrepreneurship in the Ugandan creative ecosystem.

When?

A call for applications to participate in Koola Kampala has been launched in June 2025. The selected entrepreneurs have started their program in July 2025.