Record 126 Ugandans selected for business grants

A total of 126 Ugandans have been selected to join the 4th ‎cycle of the Tony Elumelu Foundation's (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme, the highest number ever selected since the programme started four years ago.

Over the next nine months, the successful applicants will receive training and mentorship to ready them for the tough world of business. Uganda had the third highest number of applications for the programme after Nigeria and Kenya.

Each selected entrepreneur will receive the funding of $5000 each and to take part in the entrepreneurship programme.

More than 150,000 Africans from 114 countries worldwide applied to be part of 2018 cohort. Launched in 2015, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is the largest African philanthropic initiative devoted to entrepreneurship.

It has a 10-year, $100m goal to identify and empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs, create a million jobs and add $10b in revenues to Africa's economy.

The 2018 cohort includes an additional 250 entrepreneurs to the standard selection of 1,000 - thanks to a $1m partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to support 200 entrepreneurs in conflict and fragile zones of Nigeria (the North East where the Boko Haram scourge is felt.

The Red Cross programme also targets the Niger Delta region which suffers environmental degradation from oil spillage. Additional funding was secured from a $200,000 agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support 40 pan-African entrepreneurs; and a $50,000 partnership with Indorama to support 10 Nigerians.

Speaking about the selections, TEF Founder and UBA Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu said: "The number and quality of applicants, 151,000 ‎ in total, was outstanding - it illustrates the strength and depth of entrepreneurial promise and commitment on our continent."

"Selection is never easy, and we profoundly regret that we cannot help all,

"Our partnerships with the Red Cross, UNDP and Indorama, alongside ongoing discussions with other international organizations, reflect the growing global recognition of what we have known all along - that entrepreneurship is the most effective path to sustainable development on our continent and our Programme is the model to follow," he added.

There was a near 50-50 split between male and female applications, ‎reflecting the entrepreneurial ambition of Africa's women. Agriculture was the leading sector among selected entrepreneurs at 30.5%, followed by technology (10.5%) and Education&training (9%).

TEF CEO, Parminder Vir said: "Over the next nine months, the entrepreneurs will receive online training and mentoring, and will use the skills acquired to develop business plans prior to receiving $5,000* in seed capital. This will bring TEF's total Programme investment so far to $15 million in direct funding to entrepreneurs and $5.8 million in Programme & technology development and operations.

Winners

Abaas Mpindi, Education and Training

Agnes Namirimu, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Aidah Not Applicable Nakibuuka, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Aisha Nabukeera, Education and Training

Albert Olodi, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Alex Okello, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Allen Muteesi, Manufacturing

Amos N/A Karugaba, Education and Training

Andrew Etuket, Healthcare

Andrew Ssenyonjo, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Anne Nabukenya, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Annet Grace Atim, Healthcare

Annet Odong Ssanyu, Education and Training

Anthony Isanga, Energy/Power Generation

Arnold Ruyonga, Energy/Power Generation

Arthur Woniala, Energy/Power Generation

Assumpta Abbo, Education and Training

Augustus Kagyene, Education and Training

Barbara Nabigambo, Tourism/Hospitality

Bazil Mwotta Biddemu, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Benson Sande, Healthcare

Billy Ochen, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Brian Galabuzi Kakembo, Energy/Power  generation

Caroline Mitiwu, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Cassidy Catherine Alwenyi, ICT

Cavin Mugarura, Education and Training

Charles Ochan, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Charlotte Arinaitwe, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Charlotte Muhumuza Karungi, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Collins Saabwe, Education and Training

Conny Grace Avako, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Conrad Tumwine, Healthcare

Cynthia Olga Kiconco Muheki, Consulting

Davey Reich Turyasingura, FMCG

David Kintu Nkwanga, Manufacturing

Denise Kantarama Museminali, Manufacturing

Deogratius Ssekidde, Professional Services

Drake Lule, Construction

Eliab Wilson Mayengo, Construction

Emmanuel Edoku, Construction

Emmanuel Timothy Reigns Okoth, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Evans Kato Tusubira, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Evelyn Kirezi, Transportation

Fiona Mpumwire, ICT

Getrude Nambalirwa, Manufacturing

Godfrey Mukose, Healthcare

Harriet Kobusingye, Agriculture (Agri-business,

Farming)

Hassan Ssennyondo, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Henry Luyimbaazi, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Herman Nkugwa, Manufacturing

Husein Kalema, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Immaculate Kali Aceng, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Innocent Alule, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Irene Moracha, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Isabella Acomai, Fashion

Ivan Kutosi Agona, Education and Training

Jackline Alwedo, Education and Training

Jackline Bayoa, Commercial/Retail

Jackline Waliggo, Transportation

Johnmary Kavuma, Construction

Joseph Mulabbi, Transportation

Joseph Okware, Education and Training

Josephat Kaijage, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Jovulean Itungu, Healthcare

Julian Florence Agwari, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Juliet Nakaweesi, Waste Management

Juliet Nakyanzi, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Julius Edwok, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Julius Emwogu, Manufacturing

Julius Enock Naika, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Lilian Nyangoma, Fashion

Lucy Isoke Marunga, Tourism/Hospitality

Lydia Night Anena, Fashion

Magoola Nathan, Media and Entertainment

Mariam Nakigude, Manufacturing

Marvin Peter Akankwasa, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Masha Cheptoek, Education and Training

Mawejje Douglas Deo, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Mitchelle Omal Awor, Manufacturing

Moses Blessed Mutabaganya, Manufacturing

Moses Mugagga Kamya, Education and Traning)

Muliwabyo Justus, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Norah Najjemba, Healthcare

Patricia Nassanga, ICT

Patrick Musisi, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Patrick Rwekamba, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Patrick Nespoul Omoding, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Paul Kiwanuka, Manufacturing

Paul Matovu, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Paul Tumwesigye, Education and Training

Peter Kisadha, Media and Entertainment

Philip Opio, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Phiona Asasira, FMCG

Racheal Junior Nakintu, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Rachel Nabisubi Balungi, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Rancy Sharon Bukenya, ICT

Rashid Kisekka, FMCG

Reaganson Alinda, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Richard Kirumira Kalungi, Healthcare

Robert Mubiru, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Ronald Tenywa, Waste Management

Ronnie Bahungule, Professional Services

Rose Mary Nakame, Waste Management

Sam Agona, Waste Management

Samson Tusiime, ICT

Samuel Ocimil, Education and Training

Sarah Nassazi, Manufacturing

Sharif Basalirwa, Financial Services

Sheilla Abuko, Fashion

Siraje Nyombi, ICT

Stallone Emmanuel Arinaitwe, FMCG

Stella Akello, Fashion

Stephen Aroma, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Stephy Abeja, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Suzan Ankunda, Manufacturing

Sylivia Nabuuma, FMCG

Theresa Nalwanga, Manufacturing

Tonny Kukeera, Media and Entertainment

Trevor Nsereko, Manufacturing

Vincent Nsereko, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Walter Felix Opio, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Watson Owampiire, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Whitney Achieng Okumu, FMCG

William Eguma, Agriculture (Agri-business, Farming)

Zuria Nagadya, Professional Services