Monitor Publications Limited’s (MPL) flagship brand Daily Monitor in partnership with dfcu Bank’s Women in Business Program and Uganda Investment Authority-UIA have launched the second edition of the Rising Woman initiative.
The Rising Woman initiative which was started last year under the theme ‘Taking your business ahead’ is meant to recognize, celebrate and promote a culture of mentorship among women in business in Uganda and targets Ugandanbusiness women, Small scale investors, Entrepreneurs, Members of Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL), Members of Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA) and Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) members.
Speaking at the launch event dfcu Chief Executive Officer Mathias Katamba called the initiative a “…fundamental step on the path to creating a financially-enabling environment for female entrepreneurs.” He went on to note that The Bank has created programs and products which specifically address the financial needs of women across the country.
“As a financial institution that believes in building thriving communities, dfcu embarked on a journey to creating an enabling environment for Small and Medium Women owned Enterprises started in 2007, with the introduction of the Women in Business program. Our primary motivation is the fact that despite women making up over 52% of the population of Uganda, it is not reflected in the ratio of women who have access to financial services.”
“Through the program, we work with women in diverse ventures to turn business ideas into realities which in turn become vehicles for change in communities. With over 53 years of lending to SMEs, and at least 10 years running the WiB program, dfcu Bank understands the financial needs of women and goes ahead to provide tailor-made solutions for them,” Katamba added.
He also officially announced the call for business proposals through the bank’s official website which will begin the contention for the top 10 business ideas. “Like we did last year, we will reward the top 3 business submissions with monetary funding and an all-expense paid learning tour to Nairobi.” He concluded by thanking the partners of The Rising Woman Initiative whose individual contributions will bring priceless value to thousands of women and businesses across the country.
Johnson Omolo the General manager of NTV Uganda said that “As a media house we have a critical role to play in society by providing a platform through which ideas that are geared towards improving the lives of the people in the different spheres. It’s our responsibility to pass on information to those who need it be it our customers or not. As such we are once again honored to be spearheading the Rising woman initiative through the Daily Monitor.”
“We call upon all women (in business, investors and entrepreneurs) to look out for the inspirational and impactfulstories of fellow successful women entrepreneurs in the Full woman magazine which runs in the Saturday Monitor. We believe that from such stories, they will pick one or two things to help grow or improve their own businesses. We shall also be promoting all the Rising woman activities on all our platforms (KFM, Dembe FM, NTV, Spark TV and digital) to drive awareness of the opportunities that have been put across by our partners dfcu bank and UIA ”
As Elaine Maxwell said “My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no one’s doing but my own. I am the force. I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice. My responsibility. Win or lose; only I hold the key to my destiny.”
“Daily Monitor together with dfcu bank and UIA are playingtheir role and success lies in the hands of the ladies who will take advantage of the opportunities presented. Every lady, a mother out there holds the key to her / Society’s destiny through the choices she makes and the responsibilities she takes to shape the future.
In his remarks, The Acting Director of Uganda Investment Authority Mr. Lawrence Byensi said the body’s alliance with dfcu Bank and Nation Media Group will widen efforts as an agency devoted to driving national economic growth and development in partnership with the private sector. He commended the partnership and pledged the institution’s commitment to its success.
Business women are encouraged to participate in proposal writing which will start today; the 19th June 2019 and run to 20th September 2019. The top 3 winners will walk away with Ugx 15 million, Ugx 10 million and Ugx 5 million respectively and the Top 10 will take part in an all-expensesstudy tour trip to Nairobi.
Interested businesses or business women should visit www.dfcugroup.com download a form with guidelines on proposal writing and then submit two copies of the proposal at any dfcu Bank branch, Daily Monitor offices country wide and UIA offices or district commercial officers in the respective districts.
