Minister Musenero rallies women entrepreneurs to embrace technology

KAMPALA - The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero has reiterated government deliberate steps to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and bridge gaps between policy and practice.

The minister made the remarks on Thursday (yesterday) at Sheraton Kampala Hotel as she launched the 2nd cohort of the Stanchart Women in Tech Program.

She noted that the Women in Tech programme aligns with Uganda’s national priorities as it contributes directly to building a knowledge-based economy and advancing the country’s broader economic transformation agenda.

“We have established dedicated structures, including an economic unit for Science, Technology and Innovation metrics, to bridge the gap between policy and knowledge. Through STI, we are rolling out town halls and platforms to improve access to information, facilities, and innovation spaces,” she noted.

Speaking at the launch, Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sanjay Rughani, urged women founders to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the programme is designed to address structural challenges that hinder enterprise growth.

“Persistent inequalities across Uganda and the region continue to limit the growth of women-led businesses. Yet empowering women is critical to economic development and the prosperity of communities. This accelerator goes beyond skills development to provide mentorship, networks, and funding needed to build resilient, revenue-generating enterprises,” he said.

First launched in April 2025, the Women in Tech program is part of Standard Chartered’s global Future Makers initiative. It is specifically designed to support women-led micro and early-stage businesses by equipping them with the tools, resources, and networks needed to scale.

The program addresses systemic challenges such as limited access to finance, mentorship, technical support, and markets that disproportionately affect female entrepreneurs, particularly in underserved communities.

Over the next three years, the program will support up to 42 women-led businesses, preparing them to thrive in Uganda’s rapidly evolving digital economy. By fostering long-term collaboration through the Community of Practice, the initiative encourages ongoing mentorship, shared learning, and peer networking across all participating cohorts.

The Women in Tech program reflects a broader commitment by Standard Chartered and its partners to address gender disparities in business leadership and innovation.

While women make up a significant portion of Africa’s informal and micro-enterprise sector, they remain underrepresented in formalised, tech-driven environments.