48 Women in Kampala receive bakery start-up kits

KAMPALA, UGANDA — A group of 48 vulnerable women in Kampala’s slums, many of them single mothers, have been equipped to start their own businesses after receiving baking start-up kits through an initiative backed by Rotary Clubs.

The kits, which include stoves, pans, and other essential tools, are provided as interest-free loans valued at up to 2 million Ugandan shillings each. Recipients are expected to repay the loans within a year to qualify for a second phase of the program.

The initiative, a collaboration between Rotary Clubs in Uganda and the Netherlands, culminated in a graduation ceremony, at BISS Bakeries Uganda. Rotary District 9213 Governor Geoffrey Martin Kitakule presented certificates to the women, who had completed a three-week intensive training course on baking, sales, and business management.

James Serugo of the Rotary Club of Kampala said the women were also trained in food safety, hygiene, and entrepreneurship. The program includes mentorship and branding support to ensure their products meet quality standards.

“These ladies now have the skills to not only earn a living, but also create jobs for others,” said Kevin Lionel Odoki of the Rotary Club of Kampala City.

The training was supported by a $41,000 grant from the Rotary Foundation. The program’s second phase will offer larger loans of up to 9 million Ugandan shillings and provide internships at established bakeries. Participants will also be prepared to sit for the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board exams.

The beneficiaries were drawn from several Kampala areas, including Kamwokya, Kazo in Kawempe, Kamwanyi in Luzira, and the Acholi Quarters in Kinawataka. The project is a partnership between Rotary Clubs in Kampala, Kitante, and Vorst (Netherlands), the Rotaract Club of Kampala City, BISS, and other local organizations.