In Uganda’s rapidly evolving digital economy, Tubayo has positioned itself as more than just a travel platform—it is becoming a critical driver of income generation, especially among young people, creatives, and small business owners.
Founded by Brian Namanya, Tubayo has grown from a simple Instagram page celebrating Uganda’s tourism potential to a multi-platform tech company enabling Ugandans to monetize their assets, talents, and creativity. With a strong emphasis on accessibility and community-based innovation, Tubayo is now helping thousands earn sustainable income through five key verticals: Tubayo Homes, Experiences, Events, Marketday, and the Tubayo Store. Founded in 2018, Tubayo is an online travel marketplace that enables travelers to book unique homes and experiences hosted by locals in more than 10 countries in Africa.
Tubayo Homes: Hospitality as a Source of Income
Tubayo Homes allows individuals to list and rent out spaces—be it a spare room, an apartment, or an entire house—to travelers seeking authentic local stays. Unlike traditional hospitality platforms that are often geared toward international hosts, Tubayo Homes is designed for Ugandans, creating income opportunities that are both practical and scalable.
Hosts are in full control of pricing and availability, and the process of listing a property is intentionally simple, allowing anyone with a suitable space to participate in the short-term rental economy.
Tubayo Experiences: Monetizing Local Talent and Knowledge
Experiences is one of the platform’s most innovative offerings, enabling individuals to earn money by hosting unique, locally-driven activities. From guided city tours and cooking classes to art workshops and archery lessons, the feature has opened a new economic frontier—where skills and passions can be transformed into profitable ventures.
One standout example is Solomon Semukete, a national archery player who hosts daily archery sessions booked through Tubayo. His story reflects the broader potential of the platform to turn personal expertise into consistent income.
Tubayo Events: Elevating Community and Creative Culture
With Events, the company provides infrastructure and visibility for curated gatherings that spotlight local talent and culture. These events, which range from cultural showcases to creative industry meetups, serve as high-value platforms for Ugandans to connect, collaborate, and grow their audience.
They are also strategic tools for economic empowerment—bringing together service providers, artists, and vendors in professionally managed environments that facilitate real economic exchange.
Tubayo Marketday: Empowering Small Businesses
Held monthly in Kampala and Nairobi, Tubayo Marketday has become one of the region’s most significant small business events. It features over 200 vendors—90% of whom are youth-led or female-owned businesses—offering everything from handmade crafts and fashion to skincare and decor.
For many participants, Marketday is more than a sales opportunity; it’s a launchpad. It provides valuable exposure, customer feedback, and professional networks, all of which are crucial for business growth in a highly competitive retail environment.
Tubayo Store: Extending Local Commerce to Digital Audiences
The Store is an e-commerce platform that enables artisans and small brands to list and sell products online. It bridges the gap between local creators and digital markets, offering a structured way to reach a broader customer base without the overhead of maintaining a physical store.
From handmade accessories to custom-designed furniture, the store reflects Uganda’s creative diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. Importantly, it also offers tools for vendors to manage inventory, orders, and customer engagement—key to sustaining and scaling a business in the digital age.
Impact and Recognition
Tubayo’s growth has not gone unnoticed. The platform was recognized as the Best Startup in 2022 by the Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs Uganda and won Tech Influencer of the Year at the Pulse Influencer Awards in 2023. These accolades are underscored by its real-world impact: over 77,000 users, hundreds of active vendors, and thousands of bookings processed through its platforms.
What sets Tubayo apart is its focus on inclusion. Whether it’s a university student looking to host walking tours, a mother running a handmade skincare line, or a family with an extra room to rent, the platform is intentionally designed to accommodate and uplift everyday Ugandans.
As the company looks ahead, the goal is clear: to deepen its impact in Uganda and expand its model across the continent. With its combination of technology, community engagement, and local relevance, the platform is well on its way to becoming a cornerstone of digital entrepreneurship in Africa.
For more information or to register as a host, vendor, or experience provider, visit www.tubayo.com.
