How GROW finances are empowering western Uganda women
By Brian Mugenyi
Over 200 women in Western Uganda have been able to receive the GROW finances as loans aimed at empowering their businesses with daily incomes to spur economic development and family livelihood.
The Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project is a $217 million (over sh852b) World Bank-funded Government of Uganda initiative designed to grow female-owned businesses from micro to small, and small to medium scale.
Speaking during a tour visit by GROW team leader at Bata General Suppliers Limited on Thursday, Doreen Nabadda said the impact of the GROW loan finances has been immense among women from Bukanga village, Nakivale trading centre in Isingiro district.
“GROW is not simply about putting money into the hands of women; it is about giving women-owned enterprises the capital, knowledge and opportunity to move from survival to sustainable growth,” she said.
“When a woman’s business grows, she does not grow alone—she creates income, supports families, generates employment and strengthens the economy around her,” Nabadda, who is also the GROW data collector, explained.
Who has benefitted?
Christine Muheirwe, a resident of Bukanga in Isingiro running a restaurant has been one of key beneficiaries the GROW finance loan has empowered.
“Currently, I employ 12 people and provide an income-generating opportunity for workers. I injected sh55m in my existing business which was 5-year-old in 2020 which expanded my services,” she noted.
She says she learnt about GROW financing from the government before she ran to UGAFODE microfinance with other friends who encouraged her to apply.
Muheirwe says before receiving GROW loan through UGAFODE microfinance her business was struggling with limited items and resources preferred by clients but later after receiving the financing opportunity through the GROW loan she was able to get the money and expanded her business repertoire.
“I want to thank the directors of GROW finances for considering women led by Ruth Biyinzika. The finances have changed the capital investment of her business,” she said.
The business profile associated with the enterprise identifies Bama General Suppliers with its physical address in Bukanga, Nakivale, Isingiro District.
The company’s profile lists its activities as catering services, car hire and general supplies, providing additional context to the business environment in which Muheirwe’s restaurant operates.
Muheirwe’s experience illustrates how access to capital can help women entrepreneurs establish and develop businesses.
The Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project is being implemented by PSFU in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, with financing from the World Bank.
The programme is designed to increase women entrepreneurs’ access to entrepreneurial services and financing to enable them to grow their enterprises.
Dr. Ruth Biyinzika Kasolo, GROW Project Coordinator at PSFU, has emphasised that the programme is intended to move beyond simply providing money to women entrepreneurs.
“GROW Loan targets micro and small women entrepreneurs who own at least 51 per cent of the shareholding in their businesses,” explained Ruth Biyinzika.
The programme covers sectors including agriculture, agro-processing and value addition, manufacturing, construction, science and technology, services, creative arts and ICT.
Under the financing terms supplied for the programme, GROW loans range from sh2 million to sh200 million, with repayment of up to 24 months and an interest rate of up to 10 per cent per annum.
According to Biyinzika, there are no application fees, although borrowers may meet statutory costs including valuation, registration, credit reference bureau fees and insurance. The facility targets micro and small women-owned enterprises, with beneficiaries expected to meet the programme’s eligibility and lending requirements.
Arinaitwe Annah who has operated a retail and grocery business for about 12 years, received sh10million.
In Karenengyezo Village, Kiruhura District, Jenipher Twangabe a beneficiary said the GROW loan she got worth sh10million has low interest rate compared to higher repayment rates of the commercial Bank.
“I regulary earn shs: 200,000 per month from all the rentals I constructed out from the loan I got from GROW finances,” Twangabe explained.
Edurae Kefuruka, another benfeiciary received sh10 million and directed the money towards rental property development too.
Launched in March 2023 and running through December 2027, the GROW finances loan project is implemented nationwide across all districts and cities by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) alongside the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).