The Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) is full of companies poised to benefit from rapid economic growth stimulated by the Ugandan government’s heavy investment in new roads and electricity infrastructure.
But how much money do you need to open a USE brokerage account and get started investing there?
Minimum to Invest on USE
There is no minimum amount required to open a trading account. You can start with however much you can afford.
However, when you decide to purchase a stock you must purchase at least 100 shares per transaction.
Therefore, the minimum investment amount depends on the current price of whichever stock you intend to buy.
You can find the current price of each stock listed on the USE scrolling across the top of this page:
Uganda Securities Exchange – Share Prices
Don’t Forget Commissions and Fees
When you buy or sell a stock you will also be charged 2.1% of the total trade value to cover your broker’s commission and various taxes and fees.
Adding It Up
As I write this, the stock with the lowest price is NIC at sh11.00 per share.
Therefore, the minimum amount you can invest at today’s price is sh1123.10.
sh11.00 x 100 shares + 2.1% commission and fees = sh1123.10
On the other end of the spectrum, you’ll need at least sh3,063,000.00 to invest in British American Tobacco – Uganda, which currently trades for sh30,000.00.
sh30,000.00 x 100 shares + 2.1% commission and fees = sh3,063,000.00
A Word of Caution
Keep in mind that a low share price doesn’t necessarily mean a stock is a bargain. Nor does a high share price mean that a stock is overvalued.
A stock’s price must be weighed against a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the underlying company’s earnings, dividends, net assets, and potential for growth.
Where to Start?
Investing in stocks doesn’t offer a guaranteed return.
In fact, it can easily leave you with less money than you started with. And, if you’re new to investing, it can take time to familiarize yourself with different approaches to valuation and financial analysis that can improve your odds of netting a positive investment return.
So, just dip your toe in the water first. Invest only a small amount – an amount that you can easily afford to lose.
And invest first in a company that you know well, preferably one whose products or services you use regularly. Then, as your investment knowledge grows, you can invest more with increased confidence.
Your Turn
Do you have questions about investing on the Uganda Securities Exchange? Let’s hear them in the comments.
so how long does it take for me to start gaining from the shares i buy?
That depends. Sometimes you will see the value of your shares increase almost immediately (within days). Sometimes it will remain the same for months or even years. And many times the value of your shares will decrease. There are no guarantees when it comes to investing in shares.
Here’s an article that helps explain things a bit more clearly:
https://investinginafrica.net/what-is-a-share/
can student like me buy share,these for my future purpose, and I yes when I buy share do I need to put some Money aside for anything that may arise
Hi Patrick,
Yes, a student like you can buy shares. It’s never too early to begin saving and investing. After you purchase your shares, you don’t need to keep any money aside. You will own the shares, and they are yours to keep until you decide to sell them.
But keep in mind that there is no guarantee that the value of your shares will increase. It might actually drop if the company’s prospects look poor or uncertain. So I would advise that you only invest money that you don’t plan to need for the next 5-10 years. Holding the shares for a long time period gives you the best odds of reaping a positive return on your investment.
Hope this helps and happy investing!
Hey how do I earn from shares without selling them and in which time flame?
Hi Kakande,
Many Ugandan stocks pay shareholders a dividend once or twice per year. For example, Stanbic Bank Uganda paid its shareholders Shs1.76 for each share of the company that they owned last year.
If the bank remains profitable, the bank will likely continue to pay a dividend to shareholders every year.
If the bank’s profits grow, there’s a good chance that the amount of the dividend will grow, too.
But note that the bank is not required to pay a dividend. They could decide to reduce the amount of the dividend or cancel it altogether. This is part of the risk that comes with investing in shares.
How do i withdraw or sell off my shares and get my money directly on the account without my physical presence?
Hi Johnt,
You can simply email your broker, requesting that they sell your shares. They will then notify you when the sale is complete. After the shares have been sold, you can instruct them by email or phone where and how to deliver your funds.