By Lilian Ntege
When Percy Mwase stands beneath the bright tents of Quonnect Market Day, watching hundreds of young Ugandan entrepreneurs showcase handmade crafts, gourmet food, and innovative products, he sees more than just a lively marketplace, he sees dreams coming to life.
“I want people to understand that Quonnect isn’t just about sales. It’s about connection, empowerment, growth, and rewriting the story of small businesses in Uganda,” Mwase says.
It is a story that starts with Mwase himself a determined young man whose journey to entrepreneurship was shaped not by overnight success, but by lessons learnt through failure.
Seed planted by setback
Before founding Quonnect Uganda, Mwase was a student at Kyambogo University, juggling academic responsibilities with a bold side hustle: a homemade yoghurt brand called LaBlend, launched during his second year.
Despite offering a high-quality product, the business quickly folded due to a lack of visibility and support.
He recalls: “It wasn’t that the yoghurt was bad. I simply couldn’t find customers. I was trying to study, market, and handle logistics on my own.”
The failure, however, sparked a realisation: countless young entrepreneurs in Uganda had brilliant ideas but lacked platforms to promote them. That insight became the foundation for Quonnect, a platform designed to bridge the gap between passionate start-ups and the customers they need.
Where business meets culture
Launched in July 2023, Quonnect Market Day began as a modest pop-up with a handful of vendors. Today, it has evolved into a vibrant monthly event featuring over 200 entrepreneurs, hosted on the last Saturday of each month in Kampala at Motiv in Bugolobi, and every first Saturday in Jinja.
What makes Quonnect unique is not just the variety of products, it is the atmosphere. Lively music, vibrant conversations, and powerful stories ripple through the crowd with every sale.
“I wanted to create a space where business meets culture, creativity, and community. A place where brands can meet real people, build loyal communities, and feel genuinely supported,” Mwase explains.
That vision is becoming a reality. Many entrepreneurs who once worked in isolation now find themselves thriving—gaining exposure, customers, collaborators, and confidence.
The Quonnect difference
The name Quonnect is deliberate—a twist on “connect,” with the ‘Q’ symbolising quality, questioning norms, and a fresh sense of purpose.
Mwase says: “We’re not just connecting people. We’re Quonnecting them, with intention, culture, and a shared mission.”
At its core, Quonnect Market Day tackles issues that stifle small businesses: lack of visibility, unreliable sales, and isolation.
“Most existing markets are either too expensive for startups or not welcoming to young creatives. Quonnect fills that gap. It uplifts not only entrepreneurs, but also their stories,” he adds.
Changing lives, one sale at a time
Quonnect’s impact can be felt in stories like that of a vendor who started out with only a few handmade accessories. Through regular participation in the market, she built a customer base, increased production, and now runs a registered brand with clients across Uganda and even some abroad.
“I’ve seen just how hard it is for young entrepreneurs to access markets. What keeps me going is watching someone walk in with a dream and leave with results, whether it’s their first sale, a new customer, or a breakthrough. That impact means everything,” Mwase says.
Vision beyond Uganda
Mwase’s ambitions reach far beyond Kampala. Plans are underway to expand into other Ugandan towns, with the ultimate goal of building Quonnect into the largest and most impactful platform for small businesses across Africa.
But the vision is not limited to physical markets. A digital transformation is already in the works.
“We want Quonnect to happen every day, not just once a month,” he reveals, adding: “We’re building a digital marketplace where vendors can have online shops, accept digital payments, and reach customers nationwide. We want to digitise the hustle.”
Beyond commerce, Mwase also plans to offer entrepreneurs support in digital marketing, branding, content creation, and training to help them scale sustainably.
Call to support dreamers
For Mwase, entrepreneurship is not just about profits, it is about people, purpose, and solving problems with creativity and heart.
He has a message for every shopper who browses the colourful stalls of Quonnect Market Day:
“Support dreams while they’re still growing. Every vendor you see is a dreamer, a doer, a fighter. Your support means everything.”
From yoghurt setbacks to launching one of Uganda’s most vibrant entrepreneurial platforms, Mwase has shown that success can be born from failure, and that one person’s vision can ignite a generation.
Quonnect is not just a market, it is a movement. And it is just getting started.
