From Side Hustle to Government Supplier: The Story of How Ssekabembe’s ‘Bake For Me’ Begins Supplying Government

From Side Hustle to Government Supplier: The Story of How Ssekabembe’s ‘Bake For Me’ Begins Supplying Government

Capacity-building initiatives are a cornerstone of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA)’s mandate. These programs are not just about imparting knowledge; they are about unlocking opportunities for businesses to participate in government procurement. Brenda Ssekabembe, CEO of ‘Bake For Me,’ shares how PPDA’s training programs transformed her business and helped her secure government contracts.

Ssekabembe started ‘Bake For Me’ nearly 20 years ago, fueled by a passion for baking and inspired by her mother’s homemade birthday cakes. What began as a side hustle after university with just UGX 25,000 has grown into a multi-million-shilling company. However, like many women entrepreneurs in Uganda, she faced significant challenges. “In Uganda, doing business as a woman comes with its own set of challenges, especially when operating in male-dominated industries. Finding work and securing contracts can be difficult,” she reflects.

A breakthrough came when she was invited to attend a capacity-building training organized by the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL) in collaboration with PPDA and the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) under the Open Contracting #LiFTProject. Eager to gain knowledge, she registered without hesitation.

“The training was a mindset changer for me. I had always assumed that government had a fixed list of suppliers and that new businesses had little chance of being considered. However, I learned that the government is intentional about creating space for women in procurement. PPDA plays a crucial role in ensuring inclusivity and accountability,” she shares. Following the training, Ssekabembe took a crucial step – registering her business on the PPDA Supplier Database, marking a transformative moment for ‘Bake For Me.’

“Onboarding onto the PPDA Supplier Database was the beginning of a new chapter for my business in 2024. Since then, I have had the privilege of supplying various government entities. I believe this opportunity arose because I registered on the e-GP system, making my business visible to government procuring entities,” she explains.

Among her first successful bids, ‘Bake For Me’ secured contracts to supply baked goods and confectioneries to several government agencies. “I was thrilled when I received my first order from a government ministry. It was a validation of all the effort I had put into formalizing my business and ensuring compliance,” she shares.
She has since started receiving bids from major government institutions, including the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), among others. She also emphasizes the importance of compliance with statutory requirements, urging fellow business owners to ensure they meet all necessary regulations.

“Compliance is a significant factor in giving business owners confidence when bidding for government contracts. Every business has statutory obligations—registering with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN), ensuring proper shareholding documentation, and paying necessary taxes. Having all these in order strengthens a business’s credibility and ensures readiness to seize opportunities,” she advises.
Ssekabembe’s journey highlights the importance of compliance, continuous learning, and proper registration with government bodies to unlock opportunities in public procurement. “My initial goal was to be compliant enough to bid for private companies. However, I soon realized that I could also bid for government contracts. The key is being prepared and leveraging available resources,” she says.

PPDA remains committed to empowering local suppliers, particularly women entrepreneurs and businesses within different procurement thresholds. By strengthening Uganda’s public procurement system, PPDA ensures that more individuals and enterprises contribute to the country’s economic growth and development. Ssekabembe’s story is a testament to the power of knowledge, compliance, and opportunity. Through PPDA’s capacity-building initiatives, businesses like ‘Bake For Me’ are not only thriving but also actively participating in the nation’s economic transformation.

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