Mbale City women entrepreneurs pipped on GROW project

Women entrepreneurs in Mbale City have been advised to take advantage of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project, a government initiative aimed at empowering women in business.

During the project’s launch in Mbale City, Annet Namwase, Community Development Officer for Mbale City Council, tipped women on the importance of understanding the project’s objectives and benefits. She encouraged them to share knowledge with their communities and mobilize more participants.

“The aim is for them to gain knowledge and understanding of the program so that they can return to their communities and encourage other businesswomen to join. This is a good project and it will help them fight poverty among themselves”, she said.

Namwase assured the women that banks are committed to providing them with loans applied for without any deductions.

“If you apply for Shs10 million, you will receive the full amount. This money is only for businesswomen and not for personal expenses such as buying food, clothes, or paying school fees,” she said.

Ritah Namuwenge, National Coordinator for the Emyooga program, advised women to seek assistance from community development officers if they encounter difficulties understanding the project. She emphasized that GROW funds are non-partisan and accessible to women from all political backgrounds.

“This money is not political; it’s for all women across different parties. So, take advantage of it and grow your businesses,” she urged the women.

Namuwenge further urged the banks to simplify the application process, noting that many businesswomen may not have advanced English language skills to apply in these banks.

Representatives from six banks in Mbale City—Centenary Bank, Equity Bank, Finance Trust Bank, Stanbic Bank, DFCU, and Post Bank—were invited to explain how they will collaborate with the women under the GROW project.

Additionally, Resident City Commissioner Asumin Nasike advised women to seek out banks offering good customer service and suggested that banks set up dedicated desks for the GROW project to streamline the application process.

The GROW project offers women loans between Shs 4 million and Shs 200 million, aiming to economically empower women entrepreneurs across the country.