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Vice-President Alupo directs the Gender Ministry to prioritize women entrepreneurs in GROW project implementation. The five-year project aims to support 60,000 female-led enterprises in Uganda.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo has directed the Gender Ministry to accord priority to women entrepreneurs in regions affected by cattle rustling during the implementation of the GROW project. The GROW project, a five-year initiative by the Government of Uganda, funded by the International Development Agency (IDA) with a grant financing arrangement of $217m, aims to enhance access to entrepreneurial services for female entrepreneurs in specified locations, including districts hosting refugees.

Presently, the Government is actively engaging women entrepreneurs in selected districts in Uganda to elucidate the benefits of the GROW project. In Katakwi, the sole district in Teso chosen for the project, Commissioner Alex Asiimwe of the Gender Ministry highlighted three avenues through which women entrepreneurs can access support: grants ranging from sh18m to sh120m for women entrepreneur associations, performance or matching grants augmenting bank loans, and credit at a reduced interest rate.

The project also endeavours to construct or upgrade common user production facilities for value addition. As part of the gender-inclusive workplace initiative, facilities such as childcare, training centres, storage spaces, and digital areas will be established in workplaces or markets where women conduct business. The overarching goal is to support 60,000 female-led enterprises.

Vice-President Alupo emphasized the need for women in Katakwi, particularly those in sub-counties bordering Karamoja affected by rustling, to benefit predominantly from the grants. She urged collaboration with established businessmen to guide women on accessing credit for financial support. Notably, the Vice President stressed the importance of explaining to men why they are not part of the GROW project to prevent potential gender-based violence.

Allocating shs1b to improve roads, Vice President Alupo urged districts to facilitate the transportation of women’s products to nearby markets. Rehema Achom, a representative of business entrepreneurs in Katakwi, identified challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including limited capital, poor decision-making, gender-based violence, weak bargaining power, and a lack of business or financial literacy skills.

The GROW project officials assured that it would address these challenges. Disability Affairs State Minister Hellen Grace Asamo announced that women entrepreneurs would start receiving GROW project funds in March of the following year. Emphasizing the importance of focusing on a specific enterprise, she highlighted networking for exchanging business ideas as a crucial aspect of the GROW project.

MP Joseph Andrew Koluo and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Juliet Cheptoet urged the Vice President to ensure market access for Katakwi women’s small enterprises and expand the number of beneficiaries beyond the initial 200. During the meeting, Toroma Boys Primary School received 120 iron sheets for a storm-affected classroom, and the Vice President presented a government-branded new ambulance to Toroma County.