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Makerere University Business School (MUBS) has joined hands with the Ugandan government under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises Project to offer specialised business training to female entrepreneurs.
According to Paul Nuwagaba, the Access to Finance Specialist on the GROW Project, the training is one of the key incentives provided to beneficiaries of the GROW loan.
“The project has developed a course with MUBS. It is a 9-module course that entails essential business skills which are needed in every business irrespective of the sector,” Nuwagaba revealed.
The curriculum includes topics such as customer service, record keeping, and marketing, all tailored to help women run sustainable enterprises.
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Importantly, the course is delivered in various local languages to cater to women entrepreneurs across the country.
Only those who have successfully applied for the GROW loan will be eligible to enrol in this program.
A Broader Mission to Empower Women
The GROW Project, supported by the Ugandan government, is focused on helping established women entrepreneurs move from informal business operations to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
One of its unique features is the promotion of networking through Women Entrepreneurship Platforms (WEPs), where women can share experiences, access resources, and connect with mentors.
Capacity-building firms such as the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL) support the project by preparing women to access GROW services.
These firms help form new WEPs and strengthen existing ones, in addition to developing policy recommendations and advocating for women’s economic empowerment.
Overcoming Barriers to Finance
Despite its many strengths, the GROW Project faces challenges, particularly the issue of collateral, which limits many women from accessing loans. Dr Ruth Kasolo, the GROW Project Coordinator, has urged men to support their wives by providing collateral to help them benefit from the programme.
"We are calling on the men out there to help their wives with collateral so that they can access these loans and expand their businesses,” she said.
Dr Kasolo added that 53% of the women who have received loans under the project are married, making male support a critical part of the success story.
Through its partnership with MUBS and other institutions, the GROW Project continues to empower women entrepreneurs to become a driving force in Uganda’s economic development.