67 Ugandans selected for business startup grants

Sixty seven young Ugandan entrepreneurs, mostly in agriculture, power generation and training have been selected to receive business startup grants of $5,000 to $10,000 (between sh18m to sh36m) after being successfully vetted by the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP).

Over the next nine months, the successful applicants will receive training and mentorship to ready them for the tough world of business. This is the third time that the program has selected seed capital recipients from around Africa; last year, Uganda had 63 grant recipients out of a total 1,000 annual African beneficiaries.

Launched in 2015, TEEP is the largest African philanthropic initiative devoted to entrepreneurship and represents a 10-year, $100 million commitment, to identify and empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs, create a million jobs and add $10 billion in revenues to Africa's economy.

The bulk of the 1,000 beneficiaries are from Nigeria, Africa's most populous country; which is closely followed by Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon and South Africa.

According to a statement from TEEP, there were 93,000 applicants from 55 African countries for the third round of grants. This was more than double the number of applications received in 2016 and four times the number received in 2015.

Speaking about the third cohort, Nigerian billionaire and TEEP founder, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, said: "For the third year, I am humbled by the quality and depth of the candidates, their determination and vision. I am so pleased that we can contribute in a meaningful way to the success of the next generation."

"Selection is getting more and more difficult, with the outstanding strength of all 93,000 applications and we are working on initiatives to help harness this extraordinary demonstration of Africa's entrepreneurial talent," he added.

In terms of sectors, agriculture drew most applications, with 29% of applicants, followed by ICT (11%) and manufacturing (9%). Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon produced the most candidates. Women represent 39% of the applicant pool, up from 36%.

TEEP CEO, Parminder Vir said: "The achievements of each successive cohort is evidence of the transformative power of our Programme. We recently sampled 600 of our 2,000 entrepreneurs to analyse the Programme's impact and have been impressed by the impact on employment we are having. We have also partnered with organisations, including Microsoft, GE, ECOWAS, to provide further benefits to our entrepreneurs."

The programme will culminate in a two-day TEF Entrepreneurship Forum - the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurs and the full entrepreneurship ecosystem from across the continent. The forum is usually held in Lagos, Nigeria.

Full list of beneficiaries;

Agribusiness, Farming

1.    Andrew Andinda Muhandiki

2.    Carol Pauline Nakanwagi

3.    Cleus Bamutura

4.    Doreen Kesande

5.    Doreen Nyangoma

6.    Edrine Sempa Kimera

7.    Evelyn Nyaketcho

8.    Francis John Oluma

9.    Grace Nakasinde

10. Grace Bwogi Namukasa

11. Grace Achieng Oburu

12. Irene Natuhwera

13. Janet Mbambu

14. Joanitah Asibazu

15. John Byenkya

16. Joseph Ogwal

17. Julius Mabuya

18. Julius Odongo

19. Kenneth Kisinziggo

20. Linnet Nkunda Akol

21. Lydia Nakato

22. Maria Nsubuga

23. Mary Nansubuga Nakibuuka

24. Moses Angel Kuteesa

25. Muggaga Linda Zawedde

26. Noah Ssettuba

27. Patrick Kibuuka

28. Prosper Katungye Oshaba

29. Rhodah Irakiza

30. Samuel Ahumuza

31. Samuel Kagamba


Education and Training

1.    Benjamin Rukwengye

2.    Caroline Lilly Ocanda

3.    Jennifer Magambo Namutebi.

4.    Joshua Musasizi.

5.    Moses Mwebaze Mukasa.

6.    Ronald Mwesigwa

7.    Ronald Kwilingira Sebuhinja

8.    Proof Julius Ndyanabo

 
Energy/ Power Generation

1.    Betty Zizinga Kaddu

2.    Isaac Anguyo Ogeno

3.    Lawrence Balikuddembe.

4.    Pauline Namutebi.

5.    Richard Sseruwagi

6.    Ronald Isabirye.


Manufacturing

1.    David Karamagi.

2.    Doreen Rukundo Rukundo.

3.    Nasser Nassib Ssenyondo.

4.    Ronald Bahangondi.

5.    Precious Colette Kemigisha

 

Healthcare

1.    Anacret Byamukama

2.    Jackline Nakitende.

3.    Nalubega Joan Nalubega.

 

Consulting

1.    Drake Namanya.

2.    Martha Cindy Nansamba.

3.    Peter Egesa.

 

Fashion

1.    Dorcas Matseketse

2.    Mildred Agola

 

ICT

1.    Ishak Hazz Kanonya.

2.    Michael Mpwerize Kazoora.

 

Commercial/Retail

1.    Julius Muwonge.

2.    Roxanne Daphne Nakiryowa.

 

Financial Services

1.    Anne Hope Anguyo

 

Waste Management

1.    Edith Nabulya.

 

Construction

1.    Nelson Bamwine

 

Media and Entertainment

1.    Phina Nyamera.

 

Professional Services

1.    Rachel Precious Lwantale