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The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) has announced the start of the third season of the Women’s Day Katale (market), scheduled to commence this Friday, March 15th, and run through to March 17th at the Dam Waters Rugby Ground in Jinja.

The theme for this season is “Bridging Economic Divides for Women’s Prosperity,” with support from the Young Africa Works Lead Firm Structure program, funded by the Mastercard Foundation.

Speaking to journalists at the venue on March 13, Fazila Kawuma, the deputy mayor of Jinja City, said: “I urge women to actively engage in economic activities. This is crucial for our economic development, considering our region has had persistent challenges of poverty.”

“As women, we possess the capacity to engage in various economic endeavors and improve our financial status. Leveraging our planning abilities and innovative ideas, we can form groups to benefit from such programs,” she said.

The Women’s Day Katale offers several advantages for participating women entrepreneurs, providing them with a platform to showcase their products and services to a diverse audience, thus expanding their market reach and visibility.

PSFU says there will also be tailored business clinics and individual interactions with experts to equip women with invaluable knowledge and skills essential for business success and growth.

Representing Humphrey Nzeyi, the chairperson of the PSFU Board, Daniel Kazibwe (popularly known as Raga Dee), a board member representing the Arts, Culture, and Creative Industry, expressed confidence that the Women’s Day Katale 2024 would empower hundreds of women with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive and bridge the economic gap for women in Uganda.

“Investing in women is not only the right thing to do but also a critical step for our economic development. Business clinics will provide insights on grant applications and participation in government procurement," he said.

Katali Loy, District Women Representative of Jinja district, encouraged women to participate, noting the importance of acquiring entrepreneurial skills to support their businesses and families.

“This event marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards creating an environment where women can grow without hindrances. PSFU will provide further support to some of the participating women to support their businesses. Let us make this Katale a resounding success," she said.

The third annual event builds upon the successes of the previous editions held in 2022 and 2023. The Women’s Day Katale debuted in Luwero district in 2022, attracting over 100 women-founded and women-led businesses.

The second edition, hosted in Kampala in 2023, saw the participation of more than 250 women enterprises, who not only showcased their products but also acquired business management skills and delved into corporate governance.

Apollo Muyanja, the Lead Firm Structure project director said the Women’Day Katale aims to give an opportunity to women to learn and grow.

Muyanja said other benefits include; meaningful connections with other accomplished women entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry experts, fostering collaboration and professional development.