Dear Esteemed Guests,

It is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome you to the Kampala Blockchain Summit 2025. Whether you are joining us physically here at the Four Points by Sheraton or participating virtually via our livestream, your presence enriches this gathering and strengthens our collective commitment to advancing Uganda’s and Africa’s blockchain ecosystem.

This year’s summit, themed “From Regulation to Growth: Uganda as a Regional Hub for Virtual Assets,” has generated an overwhelming response that speaks volumes about the growing recognition of blockchain technology’s transformative potential in our region.

The unprecedented number of requests for physical participation is a testament to the timeliness and relevance of the conversations we will have today. While we wish we could accommodate everyone in person, we are grateful that technology enables us to extend our reach to virtual participants across Uganda and beyond.

It has been a privilege to be tasked with convening this important summit, given the significance of the issues in focus. The intersection of regulation, innovation, and economic growth in the virtual assets space is critical to Uganda’s future as a competitive player in the digital economy.

Today’s discussions will help chart the course for how we balance fostering innovation with ensuring consumer protection and financial stability.

None of this would be possible without the invaluable support of our partners. I extend special gratitude to the CFA Society of East Africa, Stable Desk UG, MUDA, BSV Blockchain Association, and Capital Savvy for their commitment to this vision. Your partnership has been instrumental in bringing this event to life and elevating the discourse around blockchain technology in Uganda.

I pay tribute to the leadership of the Blockchain Association of Uganda for the foresight of establishing this platform as an intersection between innovators and entrepreneurs, with regulators and policymakers. I also salute the teams who have put in countless hours and days preparing for this summit, often behind the scenes and without recognition, thank you. Your dedication, attention to detail, and tireless efforts have made today possible. From logistics coordination to content curation, from technical arrangements to stakeholder engagement, your contributions have been invaluable.

Today, we are privileged to hear from Uganda’s top policymakers and regulators, including the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, and other key thought leaders from financial institutions, technology innovators, and international blockchain experts. Each session has been carefully designed to provide actionable insights and foster meaningful dialogue.

I encourage all participants, whether in the room or online, to engage actively, ask questions, network intentionally, and contribute to the conversations that will shape Uganda’s blockchain future.

Thank you for being here. Let us make the most of this transformative day together.

Awel Uwihanganye is the Coordinator of Kampala Blockchain Summit. In his other duties, he serves as the Co-founder of LéO Africa Institute, championing Africa’s growth. He is passionate about building the capacity of leaders to excel and live high-impact lives,.