Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA)

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Short introduction

USSIA (Uganda Small Scale Industries Association) is a non-profit business association supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises in Uganda, focusing on value addition since 1979. We represent over 12,643 individual enterprises and groups, with 16 regional offices across Uganda. We operate in 14 sectors, including food processing, textiles, handicrafts, ceramics, metal fabrication, ICT, pharmaceuticals, construction, printing, carpentry, services, and tourism. We offer services such as policy, lobbying and advocacy, formalization, skills and business development trainings, market access and digitalization, networking and partnerships and environment, social and governance.

Our trackrecord

USSIA has implemented skills development projects nationwide, including:

KARITAS Project (West Nile): Skilled 500+ refugees in leather production in Yumbe
Skill Up Project: Trained 1,500+ youth in tailoring, bakery, phone/motorcycle repair, and hairdressing (Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso).
GROW Project: Empowered 200 refugee-hosting women in leather production and business skills (Arua, Kamwenge, Isingiro, Kiryandongo).
Ongoing “Get Skilled” Project: Building the capacity of 1,000+ youth in trades like welding, bakery, and domestic electricity.
INCENT Program: Supported 778 entrepreneurs – Hoima, Fortportal
TFO Canada Initiative: Boosted women enterepreneurs access to international markets.

Our work enhances employability, reduces crime, and contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth).

Our role in LEAD Uganda

Among other roles ourcontribution to LEAD project will be;

To equip refugees and host communities with technical, vocational education and training

To train entrepreneurship and life skills to ensure enhance their opportunities in the labour market.

To provide post training support (including business development support services, market access and financial inclusion) to refugees and host communities.

To identify, document and share good practices and lessons learned in skills development to support scale up.

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“Transforming ideas into enterprises, and enterprises into impact — We empower innovators to build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and drive industrial growth that shapes the future.”

More information?

Other partners

Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation (CECI Uganda)

Message from Programmes Manager. Working with purpose and passion to respond to humanitarian and development needs of population affected by crisis is a calling for us as CECI because we are them. The LEAD project at its commencement has showcased true localization by empowering CECI as a Refugee Led Organization. The project will provide opportunities for building resilient households of Refugees and Host in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement-Yumbe District.

International Foundation for Recovery and Development (IFRAD)

“The LEAD project is a powerful testament to what locally-led collaboration can achieve. Co-created by Woord en Daad along with Ugandan grassroots organizations, local governments, and refugee-serving institutions, it reflects a shared vision to unlock dignified work and economic resilience for young people in refugee and host communities. What makes LEAD unique is not just its inclusive design, but its commitment to scale even at the on-set, show-casing the abilities of local actors and strengthening their capacities to deliver high-impact models with a potential for replication across Uganda and beyond.” Patrick Jude Mugisha, Executive Director – IFRAD

Uganda Community Based Association for Women and Children Welfare (UCOBAC)

This partnership with LEAD Uganda is a catalyst for lasting change—unlocking opportunity, restoring dignity and driving economic resilience for refugees and host communities through locally led, inclusive, and sustainable development.