Unit Trusts in Uganda: A Complete Beginners Guide for 2025

Investing can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to grow your money in Uganda, unit trusts are a great place to start. They’re regulated, beginner-friendly, and already used by thousands of Ugandans saving for school fees, retirement, or just building wealth.

And with Level Africa, a CMA-regulated investment advisor, you can go a step further — investing in multiple licensed managers and funds through one account.

Let’s break it down.

What Are Unit Trusts?

A unit trust is like a savings group for investments. Everyone puts their money in one pot, and a professional fund manager invests it in a mix of assets like:

Government bonds
Company shares (stocks)
Fixed deposits
Regional equities

You don’t have to decide which stock to buy or when to sell. The fund manager does that work. In return, you own units in the fund, which represent your share. The value of those units goes up (or sometimes down) based on how the investments perform.

Think of it like buying a platter meal with friends. Instead of each person buying a single plate, you all pool money and share a bigger, more satisfying bigger meal.

How Do Unit Trusts Work?

You invest, say UGX 100,000.
Your money joins contributions from other investors.
The fund manager spreads it across different investments.
You get units in the fund.
The value of your units changes daily with the market.
You can monitor performance through the provider’s online portal or regular statements.

If government bonds pay good interest or company shares perform well, the value of your units grows.

Why Should You Consider Unit Trusts?

Here’s why more Ugandans are choosing unit trusts in 2025:

Affordable: Start with as little as UGX 100,000 (some providers even allow UGX 10,000).
Diversification: Your money is spread across different assets, reducing risk.
Liquidity: Need cash for an emergency? You can withdraw in 1–3 working days.
Professional Management: Experts invest on your behalf.
Accessibility: Unit trusts open financial markets to everyday Ugandans without needing millions.
Transparency: Investors get regular statements and can track progress online.
Flexibility: Save for school fees, retirement, or a future project.
Tax Advantage: Unit trusts in Uganda are currently tax-exempt.

Are Unit Trusts Safe?

Safety is always the first question. The answer: Yes, with caveats.

All unit trusts in Uganda are regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).
Fund assets are held by independent trustees and custodians, not the manager.
Diversification spreads risk.

But — returns aren’t guaranteed. Values rise and fall with the market. That said, compared to chasing “quick money” schemes, unit trusts are one of the safest regulated options for building long-term wealth.

Types of Unit Trusts in Uganda

Money Market Funds – low-risk, short-term investments in government securities and deposits.
Balanced Funds – a mix of bonds and shares for moderate growth.
Equity Funds – higher risk but potentially higher returns from shares.
Dollar Funds – invested in USD assets, useful for protecting against shilling depreciation.

How to Start Investing

Option A: Direct with a Provider

You can open an account with a CMA-licensed provider like UAP Old Mutual, Britam, Sanlam, ICEA LION, Stanbic, or XENO.
Steps:

Open an account with your chosen provider.
Fund your account.
Choose the fund you want.
Monitor your investment performance via their online portal or regular statements.

Option B: Through Level Africa (Multi-Manager Platform)

Instead of opening separate accounts, you can:

Create a Level Africa account and complete KYC with your National ID.
Deposit money to your wallet.
Compare multiple CMA-licensed funds and managers in one dashboard.
Invest, track, and redeem easily in one place.

Start Now – Create an Account on Level Africa

Uganda’s Unit Trust Providers (2025 Overview)

Provider	Fund Types	Minimum	Redemption Time
UAP Old Mutual	Money Market, Balanced, Dollar	UGX 100k	1–3 days
Sanlam	Money Market, Balanced, Dollar	UGX 100k / $50	1–3 days
Britam	Money Market, Balanced	UGX 100k	1–3 days
Stanbic / SBG	Money Market, Balanced	UGX 100k	1–3 days
ICEA LION	Money Market, Balanced, Equity	UGX 100k	1–3 days

With Level Africa, you can access funds from several of these unit trust providers in one account — saving you time, paperwork, and effort.

FAQs

How much do I need to start?
Most providers accept UGX 100,000. Some, like UAP Old Mutual, Sanlam and more start at UGX 100,000.

Can I lose money?
Yes, values fluctuate with markets, but risks are reduced by diversification and CMA oversight.

How fast can I withdraw?
Usually 1–3 working days.

Are unit trusts better than fixed deposits or treasury bonds?
Unit trusts often yield higher than fixed deposits and are more flexible than treasury bonds, but they carry more risk.

Who regulates unit trusts in Uganda?
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) licenses all providers, funds, and trustees.

Final Thoughts

Unit trusts are one of the simplest ways to grow wealth in Uganda. They’re affordable, regulated, and flexible enough to support your goals — whether that’s education, retirement, or financial independence.

With Level Africa, you don’t just pick one provider. You can compare, invest, and track multiple CMA-licensed funds from one account, backed by a CMA-regulated investment advisor.

Start Now – Create an Account on Level Africa
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Disclaimer

Level Africa is a CMA-regulated investment advisor in Uganda. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always review fund fact sheets and consult an advisor before investing.