Overview:

Ms Joyce Atuhaire, the chairperson of the Women in Agribusiness Uganda Chapter, says many women find it hard to have their businesses formalised and end up missing on the opportunities.

Women entrepreneurs have been advised to formalise their businesses through registration if they are to benefit from funding from commercial bankers and other funding opportunities.

Speaking during the 3rd edition of the MSMEs week at UMA show grounds in Kampala on Thursday, Ms Joyce Atuhaire, the chairperson of the Women in Agribusiness Uganda Chapter, said many women find it hard to have their businesses formalised and end up missing on the opportunities.

“Lack of knowledge continues to lock women entrepreneurs out of public procurement deals. Women business ownership in Uganda stands at 33.8%, but most of these women-owned businesses are not legally registered which makes them miss out on government procurement opportunities,” she said.

Atuhaire added that if they embraced registration, 30% PPDA share allocation to women entrepreneurs would help them grow their businesses.

She added that with registration, their businesses can easily access funding and grow to compete in the regional market.

Atuhaire, however, asked the government and the registration bureau to simplify the registration process and sensitise women on the importance of registration to enable many women to register their businesses.

Some of the women at the expo during the MSMES WEEK.

“Government should also consider reduction on internet taxes to make it cheaper and affordable by women in the SMEs sector. The taxes are high, which makes the internet providers pass it on to the consumer hence affecting the adoption of internet use,” she appealed.

Robert Mugabe, the Manager of Registration Services at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), said it is important for women in business to have their businesses registered to benefit from the different government programmes intended to uplift businesses in the country.

“When a contractor is registered, they stand very high chances of getting on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) pre-qualification list. Contractors will benefit enormously, if they are registered because that means they will be doing formal business.

According to Mugabe being registered comes with a lot of benefits, and in case you need a loan from any bank, they will be interested in whether your company is registered. So if you are registered, you stand high chance of getting a loan or government support.

The expo was organised by the Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (FSME) in conjunction with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and other partners to celebrate the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Uganda.