Govt allocates sh10b to boost women led businesses in Lango

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LIRA - The Government has allocated sh10b under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project to uplift women-led businesses in the Lango sub-region.

Launching GROW components of National Business skills training and job-based placement at Coronation Park in Lira City, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, announced on Monday that government had agreed to allocate the funds based on sub-region.

The GROW project is a $217 million (approximately sh800 billion) initiative funded by the World Bank to support and facilitate access to finance for women entrepreneurs to transition from micro enterprises to small and medium enterprises.

The project provides not only funding but also access to vital training in financial literacy, business management, and job placement services.

The national project launched in 2023 is targeting to benefit 280,000 women entrepreneurs and employees (including 42,000 refugees and 14,000 host community members).

A total of 1.6 million people will benefit indirectly, including family members, communities, suppliers, service providers, and distributors of women enterprise products.

Minister Amongi said the initiative aims at improving the productivity and sustainability of enterprises owned by women across the country.

(R-L) Ssengendo, minister Amongi and Dr Diana joining the women in singing the Lango Anthem during the launch at Coronation Park in Lira City on Monday. (Credit: Patrick Okino)

Minister Amongi highlights regional allocation of Women’s Fund in Lango sub-region

At the launch, Minister Amongi expressed commitment to address the concerns raised by women across the country regarding the distribution of financial support.

She stated that initially, a large portion of the funds was being absorbed in Central Uganda — particularly in Kampala, Mukono, and Masaka — leading to complaints from other regions.

"In the beginning, most of the money was being taken by women from Central Uganda. That’s why many women from other regions were complaining," she said. "We have since resolved this and designed mechanisms to ensure allocations are based on sub-regions.

This will guarantee the distribution."

She announced that under the new arrangement, the Lango sub-region has been allocated a total of sh10.4 billion.

"Between now and the end of the project in 2027, we already have partners like Stanbic Bank, PostBank, among others, to lend this money to women across the country."

The Minister emphasised that the project is demand-driven, meaning that it is up to the women in each sub-region to apply for and utilise the funds.

"If the money allocated to a sub-region is not utilised, we will be forced to pick it and shift it to another sub-region that is more active," she warned.

She appealed to women in Lango and across Uganda to take initiative:

"I encourage all women to be active, apply, and borrow the funds that have been allocated to their sub-regions. This is an opportunity for you to grow your businesses."

Minister Amongi also highlighted key challenges women face in business, including lack of affordable capital and limited support from men.

She reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing these barriers through such empowerment programs, in partnership with financial institutions like Stanbic Bank and PostBank, who are already on board to lend the funds.

John Ssengendo, the Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, commended Minister Betty Amongi for her leadership, noting that she has been instrumental in advancing women's economic empowerment in Uganda.

“We appreciate Minister Amongi for her visionary leadership. She has truly championed the cause of women’s economic empowerment through this ministry,” Ssengendo said.

He explained that the Government’s Response to Wealth (GROW) project was designed to address several challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including: Limited access to affordable financing, inadequate business and financial management skills and lack of access to common-user infrastructure.

Train on financial literacy

Dr Diana Ntamu, the Director of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Incubation Centre at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), announced that women beneficiaries of the GROW project will undergo a 10-day intensive training program aimed at equipping them with essential entrepreneurial skills.

“We are going to teach the women how to use their mobile phones to benefit their businesses — not just for TikTok and social media, but as tools to track sales, communicate with customers, and manage mobile money effectively,” she added.

Beneficiaries

Harriet Akao, a vendor at Lira Main Market, expressed optimism about the impact of the training on her business.

She said the skills she is acquiring will enhance her business operations, boost productivity, and help take her enterprise to the next level.

Shila Acen, shared her experience as a produce trader, revealing that she had been running her business for years without any formal training.

"Since I started my produce business, I have never received any training," Acen said. "Most of the time, we were just guessing — not knowing what to buy, when to buy, or when to sell. We simply relied on trial and error."

She added that the business management training she received under the GROW project has significantly enhanced her thinking and reshaped how she runs her business.

"These skills have opened my eyes. I now think differently and approach my business more strategically."

Acen encouraged other women to take advantage of the opportunity, emphasising that training is just as important as financial support in ensuring the success and sustainability of their enterprises.