The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Bank of Uganda (BoU) have officially launched the pilot phase of the Okusevinga Money Market Unit Trust Scheme, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s financial sector and positioning the country at the forefront of inclusive investment innovation in Africa.

The pilot phase commenced on 17th December 2025 and represents a landmark step toward expanding access to safe, affordable, and regulated investment opportunities for ordinary Ugandans.

Africa’s First Government-Owned Unit Trust Scheme

Okusevinga is Africa’s first government-owned unit trust scheme, signaling a strategic policy shift from merely expanding access to financial services to enabling meaningful participation in savings and investment. The initiative builds on Uganda’s strong gains in financial inclusion, where 81% of adults now have access to financial services, according to the FinScope Uganda 2023 Survey, a growth largely driven by widespread mobile money adoption.

Despite this progress, many Ugandans continue to save informally, limiting their ability to earn returns and build long-term financial resilience. Okusevinga has been designed specifically to address this gap.

Mobile-Based Investments for Small Savers

The Okusevinga platform allows individuals to invest small amounts directly into regulated money market and bond funds using a simple, mobile-based system. By linking small savers to professionally managed, low-risk investment instruments, the scheme is expected to improve household financial health while supporting deeper domestic capital markets and sustainable economic development.

What the Pilot Phase Involves

The pilot phase will involve a limited group of participants who will test the platform’s full functionality, including:

  • User registration
  • Investment transactions
  • Balance inquiries

This controlled rollout is intended to validate system performance, strengthen consumer safeguards, and refine the user experience ahead of a broader public launch planned for early 2026. Authorities say the phased approach ensures the platform operates efficiently, securely, and in full compliance with regulatory standards before being opened to the general public.

Strong Multi-Agency Support

The pilot has been supported by several key institutions, including:

  • Capital Markets Authority
  • Uganda Communications Commission
  • National Information Technology Authority
  • Financial Sector Deepening Uganda
  • Uganda Investment Authority

  • Airtel Uganda

     

What’s Next

As the pilot progresses, MoFPED and the Bank of Uganda will continue engaging stakeholders, strengthening financial literacy initiatives, and preparing for the next phase of implementation. Officials have indicated that further communication will be issued in due course to inform the public about the full launch and participation requirements.

With Okusevinga, Uganda takes a significant step toward transforming how citizens save and invest, making formal investment accessible, affordable, and secure for millions of small savers nationwide.