By Wakibi Iddi
KAMPALA — The Federation of Uganda Social Enterprises (FUSE) has launched a digital certification system to verify genuine social enterprises and prevent conventional businesses from making misleading claims to access funding and market opportunities intended for ventures with measurable social impact.
The system assesses applicants against established social enterprise standards. Qualifying businesses receive digital certificates, verification badges and unique identification numbers to demonstrate their legitimacy.
FUSE President Timothy Mugerwa said the initiative was developed to protect the sector from social washing, a practice in which conventional businesses exaggerate or fabricate their contributions to society to gain commercial advantages.
“Social washing is where a company gives misleading information or makes claims that are not true,” Mugerwa said, warning that unverified businesses could undermine opportunities intended for genuine social enterprises.
He added that certification would help legitimate social enterprises access impact investment, concessional financing and ethical supply chains, where buyers prioritise social and environmental benefits.
To apply, businesses submit their social impact claims and legal documents, including registration certificates and company constitutions, through the FUSE website.
A panel of experts reviews the applications and may conduct physical inspections where necessary. Successful applicants receive digital certificates bearing unique reference numbers and scannable QR codes, enabling stakeholders to verify their certification and reducing the risk of forgery.