Ever walked into a business, only to find there is another establishment in the same working space? Part internet caffe part agent banking? Retail shop, but with a mobile money joint on the side? That’s the most obvious instance of a co-working space. For the office goers, this is feasible too, after all, co-working spaces are just shared work environments where individuals from their various professions and trade can work independently, or even collaboratively but in the same space. For white-collar workers, the work environment has been particularly useful to freelancers, startups and even established companies that rent desks or offices on terms that suit their needs.
Many factors have contributed to the rise of co-working spaces.
Cost-effectiveness: Splitting rent is always easier than paying for the entire space alone. When businesses share premises, they typically agree on how to divide the rent, allowing each to pay less than if they were renting individually.
For the white collars, it’s relatively the same story—traditional office rentals in cities like Kampala can be prohibitively expensive, especially for startups, thus, co-working spaces offer more affordable alternatives with shared amenities that reduce overhead costs.
Flexibility: Whether you need a desk for a day or a private office for a year, co-working spaces usually provide various options to suit different business needs. This is quite useful for businesses with fluctuating team sizes, for example, a company that usually brings in outsourced talent might benefit from a co-working space arrangement for when they have need.
Networking Opportunities: Networking is all about making new connections, and what better way to make connections with different professionals than at a workplace? Being surrounded by professionals from their various industries of trade builds up collaboration and networking, the continuous interactions leading to partnerships. Even for blue-collar workers, like a shop owner in Kampala with a side agent banking joint, that is a connection. The shop owner now has access to someone with knowledge and expertise in agent banking, should they need assistance.
Access to amenities: You visit a plaza in Kampala and notice that workers have their go-to amenities—such as someone supplying food and washrooms. Even for a white-collar co-working space, amenities like high-speed internet, meeting rooms or printing rooms are provided.
On that note, co-working spaces are often associated with distractions. Humans are communal by nature so at one point the workers might engage in extended banter instead of working.
There is also the issue of privacy. For a business handling sensitive information, the open layout of co-working spaces might pose confidentiality concerns.
Additionally, since it’s a shared space, workers may find that any decision affecting the surroundings requires discussion with others—this is especially true for blue-collar jobs. In a shared Kampala Kiduuka, one person can’t just expand their space because they need it, they have to first inquire from the other partner.
There is also the issue of limited customization options. Unlike traditional offices where the worker can decide to bring in something to “customize” their working space, a co-working setting limits this customization scope since the premises are not yours…you are borrowing them for but a limited time.
For those wondering if we have such spaces in Uganda, yes, we do. The first example of co-working spaces can be seen in our nearby shops where you will find two businesses in one space. You find a normal wholesale shop with a chapatti/chips stand at its front.
For the office-goers, some affordable co-working spaces in Kampala include;
The Innovation Village at Ntinda, Kampala. This particular hub has been notable among innovators and entrepreneurs, offering flexible packages, high-speed internet, conference rooms and even an in-house restaurant for worker convenience.
Design Hub Kampala, located in the industrial area provides a creative environment with various rental packages especially tailored for startups and established companies.
Hive Colab is another great choice, boasting as one of Africa’s pioneering innovation hubs. Hive Colab offers a collaborative space for tech entrepreneurs, internet access, a professional work environment and event hosting facilities.
That said, is a co-working space right for you?
Well, depends on use-case. If you are a freelancer looking for a professional environment or a startup looking to minimize space costs, or an established business aiming to collaborate with another team but without enough space, co-working spaces might be an ideal solution.
For the average business owner looking to cut and share the rental price costs, a shared workspace with another business is also feasible.
However, it is important to assess your specific needs, things like team/business size, nature of work and your overall budget.
The rise of co-working spaces is but one way businesses and entrepreneurs are trying to brave the hurdles of business owners—high operational costs, and high rental space prices; co-working spaces are a dynamic solution for modern professionals.
At the end of the day, whether you’re a freelancer tired of working from home, a startup looking for an affordable launchpad, or a business owner eager to cut costs, co-working spaces in Uganda are changing the game. The question isn’t whether they work—it’s whether they work for you.
