The Capital Markets Authority Uganda (CMA) has celebrated 30 years of operations with the launch of CMA@30, a milestone initiative highlighting its role in deepening Uganda’s capital markets and strengthening the country’s financial soft power through investor trust, transparency, and innovation.
The year-long commemoration, launched in Kampala, reflects CMA’s evolution from a nascent regulator into a central driver of Uganda’s financial sector development, mobilizing savings, facilitating investment, and broadening public participation in capital markets.
Speaking at the launch, CMA Chief Executive Officer Josephine Okui Ossiya reflected on the Authority’s three-decade journey and its impact on Uganda’s financial landscape:
“Over the last 30 years, the Capital Markets Authority has played a central role in protecting investors, developing Uganda’s capital markets, and building confidence in our financial system. We are proud of the progress made in mobilising long-term capital and expanding participation, but remain even more committed to the future as we position Uganda for deeper and more inclusive markets,” she said.
Ossiya emphasized that CMA’s work extends beyond regulation, serving as a catalyst for economic transformation through structured investment and financial inclusion.
Data from CMA shows that over the past three decades, Uganda’s capital markets have recorded significant growth: over Shs 2.3 trillion raised through public offers, market capitalization reaching Shs 15.9 trillion, collective investment schemes amassing Shs 5.6 trillion in assets, and more than 273,000 investors participating in the securities market. These milestones underscore growing investor confidence and a strengthening financial ecosystem.
CMA has also expanded its regulatory scope to support innovation, introducing frameworks for fintech solutions, crowdfunding, sustainability bonds, and Islamic finance products. These reforms aim to position Uganda as an attractive investment destination while enhancing financial soft power — the ability to attract capital through credibility, trust, and strong institutions rather than incentives alone.
A cornerstone of CMA’s strategy has been investor education. Through nationwide outreach programs, media campaigns, and partnerships, the Authority has reached millions of Ugandans, promoting financial literacy and widening participation in formal investment channels.
Looking ahead, CMA plans to align its initiatives with Uganda’s broader development agenda, including the ambition to transition into a USD 500 billion economy by 2040, where capital markets are expected to play a central financing role.
The CMA@30 celebrations will run throughout the year, featuring investor awareness campaigns, policy dialogues, and culminating in the Capital Markets Awards during World Investor Week.
As Uganda’s capital markets mature, CMA’s 30-year journey reflects a shift from pure regulation to building economic confidence, investor trust, and financial soft power — all crucial for long-term national transformation.
