<h1 style="text-align:center;">COVID-19 Q&amp;A - Operating Your Business in Uganda</h1>Uganda has taken one of the strictest stances on the African continent in efforts to prevent <a href="http://statehouse.go.ug/sites/default/files/files/presidential-statements/address-corona-virus-4-may-2020-converted.pdf">COVID-19</a> from spreading in the country. On May 4, 2020, the President of Uganda provided an updated statement on matters regarding COVID-19. According to the statement, a few essential industries and businesses are now allowed to operate. These include (i) agricultural farming; (ii) food markets; (iii) factories; (iv) wholesalers to supply to factories; (v) hardware shops to sell factory goods and supply construction sites; (vi) repair workshops (garages) to operate on the cargo trucks; (vii) metal and wood workshops; (viii) insurance providers; (ix) select lawyers; (x) restaurants; and (xi) warehouses.Now that many businesses have been allowed to re-open, there are a few things you need to know.How can my staff get to work?With public and private transport still restricted in Uganda, employers are asked to shuttle their staff to work or encourage their staff to either cycle or walk to work.What protective equipment should I provide my employees?It is mandatory for all persons to wear face masks in public, therefore employees should ensure that their workers have the required protective gear.My business interfaces with the public. What do I need to know?If you have a business that’s open to the public, please ensure that your staff can safely remain 2 meters away from your customers. All customers who enter your facility must wear a mask. Please ensure that your customers have space and abide by the rule of remaining 4 meters apart from each other. Further, there is a concern that forced air will cause the virus to spread so shops should not operate air conditioning. For restaurants, only takeaway services can be provided at this time.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/uganda_0_e5713c583b.png"><figcaption>Image Source: Wild Uganda Blog: <a href="http://www.wildugandablog.com/things-to-do-in-kampala/">10 Things to do in Kampala</a></figcaption></figure>What should I do if an employee is suspected of having COVID-19?As an employer, under the <a href="https://ulii.org/ug/legislation/statutory-instrument/2020/52">Public Health (Control of COVID- 19) Rule2 2020</a>, you have a duty to notify a medical officer or medical practitioner if you believe one of your employees has COVID-19. Please call the Ministry of Health toll-free line on 919/ 0800 1000661/ 0800 203033, if you believe one of your employees should be checked.If COVID-19 is confirmed, you can expect a site visit from a medical officer. They will assess the situation and may: (i) order all persons who have been in contact with the COVID-19 patient to remain at the premises; (ii) cause the staff who were in contact with the COVID-19 patient to be removed to a regional referral hospital or another suitable place for quarantine. Please note that the health inspector must have written instructions from a medical officer to conduct a search or inquiry.I have to import/export or export goods and supplies to run my business. What do I need to know?<a href="https://ulii.org/ug/legislation/statutory-instrument/2020/53">Public health (Prohibition of Entry into Uganda) Order, 2020</a>. Businesses are allowed to import and export cargo only, through the different border posts in Uganda via vehicle, air or water transport. Only the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations are able to bring people or animals into Uganda at this time.<a href="https://ulii.org/ug/legislation/statutory-instrument/2020/46">Public Health (Prevention of COVID-19) (Requirements and Conditions of Entry into Uganda) Order, 2020</a>. At the border, all persons and cargo/vehicles/aircraft or vessels will be subjected to an examination conducted by the government medical officers of health. The medical officers of health have the power to isolate or quarantine the personnel, e.g. truck drivers, cargo crew. Upon examination, such personnel may be quarantined at a designated place or placed under observation for 14 days or more, while other personnel may be advised on the measures to take to avoid being infected with COVID-19. These interventions put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 may result in delays for logistics; therefore, businesses should plan for this potential risk.

Understanding the UG Government COVID-19 Regulations & What They Mean for Your Business

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COVID-19 Q&A - Operating Your Business in Uganda

<h1 style="text-align:center;">Amidst the Crisis, Find Some Help For Your Company</h1>Are you an entrepreneur, executive of a company or business owner struggling to figure out how to navigate these uncertain times? Maybe angel Investors can help. The Exchange, RENEW's angel and early-stage SME investment platform supported by Global Affairs Canada, is a pioneer of angel investing in East Africa. The Exchange manages investments from RENEW's Impact Angel Network, which is the largest North American-based angel network dedicated to investing in Africa and one of the most active SME investors in Ethiopia. The Exchange also helped launch the popular T.V. program, Chigign 'Tobiya, which is building local angel networks and inspiring entrepreneurship across Ethiopia. Amidst this crisis, The Exchange will be running a series of virtual trainings to help business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs learn how to find, attract and utilize capital to weather this economic crisis.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/grow_build_leavebrown_ae8c0ab94a.png"></figure>We are constantly working to support our pipeline and portfolio companies to be creative and persevere during these challenging times. We are helping them repurpose assets, pivot operations, and establish new partnerships with other companies in our portfolio and our network. We financed a team of dVentus engineers to create a ventilator prototype; helped Travel Ethiopia repurpose its vehicles to enable Deliver Addis to scale up its food delivery fleet; launched a new home healthcare service with EAES and Tebita for elderly patients reluctant to go to the hospital, and we are exploring whether Sadura can make hand sanitizer.We are also creating platforms for the wider business community to provide resources, tools, and encouragement for businesses to press forward. RENEW has launched a channel on Telegram to help you get your head in the game. Join <a href="https://t.me/OrangeBusinessNetwork">@OrangeBusinessNetwork</a> on Telegram today and let’s get to work.We have taken The Exchange, the training and acceleration wing of our operation, virtual and redesigned our training to provide companies with the right set of tools to survive during this time.Coming up, we have the following free virtual trainings scheduled, click on the links to register:<ol><li>Webinar: How Should You Be Responding as a Business Owner in the Age of COVID? Date: Please check back for a future date. Time: TBD</li></ol>Register: Interested in participating in an upcoming workshop? Please email <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">RENEW</a> and we'll let you know when the next date is announced.<ol><li>Webinar: Where is the Money For My Company and How Do I Get It? Date: June 9, 2020 Time: 2 PM EAT Register: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqduihpjwtGtYJfZTlD9s89T3gvTaQD7cP">LINK</a></li><li>Webinar: What is the ET Gov. Economic Response to COVID? Date: June 25, 2020 Time: 2 PM EAT Register: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUucOqhrDkrHtDW93IX_gqzQpCCtpwAAmFd">LINK</a></li><li>Webinar: After the Lockdown: Uganda's Legal and Economic Response to COVID-19 and What You Need to Know Date: July 2, 2020 Time: 2 PM EAT Register: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-CrrTkoG9x-DZkiatbqWJcOl95f6diV">LINK</a></li><li>Webinar: Private Equity and How to Find Cash for Your Business Date: July 14, 2020 Time: 2 PM EAT Register: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvcu6oqDsvGtdmSodbDcSWXT_ntZUs54cc">LINK</a></li></ol>Women in Finance Series: The Women in Finance Series has gone virtual! Women in Finance is a quarterly event hosted by RENEW. The next event will be June 18, 2020 @ 4 PM <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">Contact us</a> if you are interested in attending.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/execs_2_c9a1822a5d.png"></figure> If you are looking for a partner or just someone to help you navigate the waters ahead, please contact us at <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">renew@renewcapital.com</a>.

Are you an entrepreneur or manager? Find resources to thrive during these times

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Amidst the Crisis, Find Some Help For Your Company

<h1 style="text-align:center;">August 2020 Resource Blog</h1>For this month’s resource blog, we’re focusing on sales. Specifically, these articles touch on the 3 C’s of driving sales, questions sales professionals should be asking in the current business climate, and how to be a successful business. Read the articles below to learn more.<a href="https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6767-make-more-sales.html">The 3 C's of Driving Sales: Connect, Convince, Collaborate</a>: In order to be successful with sales, people in the industry need to exhibit a key set of behaviors to boost their strategy. These behaviors are: connect, convince and collaborate. (Business News Daily) Time: a 3 minute read<a href="https://hbr.org/2020/06/4-questions-sales-leaders-should-be-asking-right-now?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter_daily&amp;utm_campaign=dailyalert_not_activesubs&amp;deliveryName=DM82910&amp;registration=success">4 Questions Sales Leaders Should be Asking Right Now</a>: In the current business landscape, it has been hard for sales professionals to predict what comes next during COVID-19. During times of uncertainty, it’s important to ask yourself important questions on how the sales team spends their time, how the process is structured and if the roles are still adding value. (HBR) Time: a 3 minute read<a href="https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7471-focus-on-customers.html">Want to Be a Successful Business? Focus on Your Customers</a>: In order to be a successful business, you need to focus on your customers. The line between being successful and underperforming often lies in how a company treats their customers. Companies which fail to focus on this tend to encourage failure. (Business News Daily) Time: a 2 and a half minute readInterested in learning more about a specific topic? Contact us and let us know what interests you at <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">renew@renewcapital.com</a>.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/hbr_article_0_546cbf7bef.png"></figure>&nbsp;

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August 2020 Resource Blog

<h1 style="text-align:center;">We Prepare Goals, But Are They the Right Ones?</h1>Read the average person’s weekly task list or “I must” and you might fall asleep from boredom and lack of energy. You might read…<ul><li>Recruit an Operations Manager for Company X.</li><li>Complete Y proposal.</li><li>Finish blog about INSERT TOPIC.</li></ul>But what’s wrong with them? At the end of the day will you be jazzed by completing them? Likely no. What is missing? How can you give yourself a little boost of energy? The answer: Ask yourself why you need to do a specific task, and work to give your goal a boost of meaning. Elevate the importance.A lot of people skate through life feeling unfulfilled and without energy in their work. Most of us are focused on the activity and not the “why” behind it. Alternatively, the people who DO feel fulfilled on a weekly, daily, yearly basis, tend to think, plan and do relative to the “why” of what they are trying to get done.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/execs_2_856f9fbd97.png"></figure>Of course, it is easier to take the checklist approach versus taking a little bit longer to shape your goals as the outcome you are trying to accomplish, but it’s worth it. When you flip the lights of your office off on a Friday night and walk out the door, you want to feel fulfilled. You can leave with the endorphins pumping knowing that your work ties into the larger picture and is making a difference for helping your company achieve its vision.And here’s a trick, write down your “I musts…” for the next week before you leave the office. It’s ok if you want to start out with a brain dump and write down the laundry list of things you need to get done, then pick the most important and articulate the “why” behind them.Here are some examples:<ul><li>Water the plants vs. make the office beautiful by watering the plants.</li><li>Go buy supplies vs. help provide a really great environment for the team by buying supplies.</li><li>Recruit an Operations Manager for Company X so that I can focus my attention on Z by May 2020.</li></ul>For more information, consider reading “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447">Start With Why</a>” by Simon Sinek or sign up for <a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/resources/blogs/Key%20Resources%20for%20Executives">The Exec’s Program</a> to learn these skills.

Whether it’s your weekly “I musts” or your quarterly OKRs, here’s how to make them great.

We Prepare Goals, But Are They the Right Ones?

<h1 style="text-align:center;">September 2020 Resource Blog</h1>For this month’s resource blog, we’re focusing on marketing strategies and trends. Specifically, these articles discuss marketing trends for 2020, effective brand marketing through COVID-19, and essential marketing strategies for any startup. Read the articles below to learn more.<a href="https://www.smartinsights.com/managing-digital-marketing/marketing-innovation/6-essential-marketing-trends-for-2020/">What’s new? What’s next? 6 essential marketing trends for 2020</a>: This article provides samples of digital marketing tools and techniques to give you an edge in the year ahead in your business. (Smart Insights) Time: a 5 minute read<a href="https://hbr.org/2020/04/brand-marketing-through-the-coronavirus-crisis">Brand Marketing Through the Coronavirus Crisis</a>: With so much changing so quickly during this difficult time, what actions can brands take to serve and grow their customer base, mitigate risk, and take care of their people? (HBR) Time: a 3 minute read<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/05/30/five-essential-marketing-strategies-for-any-startup/#221be4e95795">Five Essential Marketing Strategies For Any Startup</a>: We all know marketing is essential for all businesses, but it's even more important for startups. Read this article to learn why. (Forbes) Time: a 3 minute readInterested in learning more about a specific topic? Contact us and let us know what interests you at <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">renew@renewcapital.com</a>.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="/uploads/marketingpic_0_87402a7cf2.jpg"></figure>&nbsp;

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September 2020 Resource Blog

<h1 style="text-align:center;">October 2020 Resource Blog</h1>For this month’s resource blog, we’re focusing on good habits to follow to achieve success in your business and personal life. Specifically, October’s articles recommend a list of good habits that should guide you towards success. Read the articles below to learn more.<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/entrepreneursorganization/2018/03/28/how-to-form-good-habits-in-your-personal-business-life/#492021cf6332">How to Form Good Habits in Your Personal &amp; Business Life</a>: Learn about the 3-step pattern that behavioural psychologists say should help you achieve good habit-forming success in your business and personal life. (Forbes) Time: a 4 minute read</li><li><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/092515/10-habits-successful-people.asp">10 Habits of Successful People</a>: A list of the 10 most often-cited habits of successful people, including organization, relaxation and taking action. Check out the article for the other 7 habits. (Investopedia) Time: a 5 minute read</li><li><a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/287162">28 Best Habits to Have in Business</a>: Your behavior comes from habits that we use on a daily basis. Learn how to cultivate good habits to put your progress on autopilot. (Entrepreneur) Time: an 8 minute read</li></ul>Interested in learning more about a specific topic? Contact us and let us know what interests you at <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">renew@renewcapital.com</a>.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/habits_0_dae48bc95a.png"></figure>

A look at good habits for your business and personal life

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October 2020 Resource Blog

<h1 style="text-align:center;">November 2020 Resource Blog</h1>For this month’s resource blog, we’re focusing on one of the greatest resources in your business, the people. Specifically, these articles will help you keep your people motivated, inspired and understood.<ul><li><a href="https://hbr.org/2020/06/stay-motivated-when-feedback-is-scarce?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter_daily&amp;utm_campaign=dailyalert_not_activesubs&amp;deliveryName=DM82727">Stay Motivated When Feedback Is Scarce</a>: It’s easy to fall into catastrophic thinking — especially when you’re working remotely. Learn how to motivate yourself and others. (HBR) Time: a 4-minute read</li><li><a href="https://hbr.org/2020/06/what-to-do-when-work-feels-meaningless?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter_daily&amp;utm_campaign=dailyalert_not_activesubs&amp;deliveryName=DM82910">What to Do When Work Feels Meaningless</a>: Understand how to focus on what you can control, taking advantage of the opportunities in a crisis, and how to use the opportunities in a crisis to connect with your purposeful future. (HBR) Time: a 3-minute read</li><li><a href="https://hbr.org/2020/06/what-your-youngest-employees-need-most-right-now?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter_daily&amp;utm_campaign=dailyalert_not_activesubs&amp;deliveryName=DM82910">What Your Youngest Employees Need Most Right Now</a>: The pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for those who are just beginning their careers. Learn how to support the youngest members of your team. (HBR) Time: a 3-minute read</li></ul>Interested in learning more about a specific topic? Contact us and let us know what interests you at <a href="mailto:renew@renewcapital.com">renew@renewcapital.com</a>.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/hbr_picture_0_eb1ed862b4.png"></figure>&nbsp;

Founder Resources