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Tag: PSFU

  • FROM LOANS TO LEGACIES: PSFU, dfcu Bank rally Women Entrepreneurs to turn GROW Financing into Businesses and Jobs

    FROM LOANS TO LEGACIES: PSFU, dfcu Bank rally Women Entrepreneurs to turn GROW Financing into Businesses and Jobs

    By Brian Mugenyi
    mugenyijj@gmail.com

    Kampala: For many women entrepreneurs, access to affordable finance can mean the difference between an idea remaining on paper and a business becoming a source of income, employment and household security.

    That message took centre stage on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and DFCU Bank brought together women entrepreneurs at Hotel Africana in Kampala for a Women Borrowers’ Engagement Meeting under the GROW Project.

    The engagement provided a platform for women borrowers to discuss access to finance, business development services and the practical opportunities available through GROW financing.

    At a time when Uganda continues to pursue private-sector-led economic growth, the meeting highlighted the increasingly important role of women-owned enterprises in creating jobs, expanding household incomes and strengthening communities.

    Asiimwe: Turn Finance into Growth
    The engagement was graced by PSFU Chief Executive Officer Stephen Asiimwe, who challenged women entrepreneurs to make strategic use of the GROW financing facility to expand their businesses.
    Asiimwe emphasised the contribution women entrepreneurs make to Uganda’s economy, particularly through enterprise development, employment creation and support for household livelihoods.
    His message was centred on a simple economic principle: access to finance becomes meaningful when it is converted into productive investment.
    For women running small and growing enterprises, financing can help them increase stock, acquire equipment, improve production capacity, enter new markets and create additional employment opportunities.
    The GROW financing facility therefore offers more than credit—it creates an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to strengthen the foundations of their businesses.

    Kasolo: Financing Must Be Matched With Business Support

    Dr. Ruth Aisha Biyinzika Kasolo, GROW Project Coordinator at PSFU, highlighted progress under the GROW Financing Facility and encouraged women borrowers to combine financing with the complementary business development support available through the project.

    Her message reflects an important reality facing many small businesses: capital alone does not always guarantee success.
    Entrepreneurs also require financial management skills, market knowledge, business planning, mentorship and the ability to make informed investment decisions.
    For women-owned enterprises seeking to grow beyond survival businesses, such support can provide the knowledge needed to manage financing responsibly and build sustainable operations.

    Kasolo’s emphasis on strategic utilisation of financing also places responsibility on beneficiaries to ensure borrowed resources are directed towards productive business activities capable of generating returns.

    Women Entrepreneurs Share Their Experiences
    The meeting also created space for women entrepreneurs to speak about their experiences with GROW financing.
    Participants shared challenges and lessons arising from accessing and utilising financing, while engaging directly with representatives from the project and financial sector.
    Such engagements are important because they allow financial institutions and project implementers to hear directly from beneficiaries.

    Women entrepreneurs often face challenges ranging from limited collateral and financial literacy gaps to market access, business formalisation and the cost of expanding operations.

    By bringing borrowers and financial-sector representatives together, the engagement created an opportunity to identify practical ways of improving support for women-owned businesses.

    Why Women-Owned Businesses Matter
    Across Uganda, women are deeply involved in agriculture, manufacturing, retail trade, food processing, services and other forms of enterprise.
    Their businesses support families, employ other citizens and contribute to local economic activity.

    Yet many women entrepreneurs continue to operate below their potential because of limited access to affordable capital and business development services.
    The GROW Project seeks to address some of these barriers by improving women’s access to finance and strengthening their capacity to participate in economic activity.
    For the entrepreneurs attending the Kampala meeting, the discussion was therefore about more than borrowing money.
    It was about how financing can be transformed into productive assets, stronger enterprises and sustainable livelihoods.

    From Borrowers to Business Builders
    The broader success of initiatives such as GROW will ultimately depend on what happens after financing reaches beneficiaries.
    A loan can purchase machinery.
    It can increase stock.
    It can open a new branch.
    But the real measure of success is whether those investments generate sustainable businesses, create employment and improve household incomes.

    That is why continued engagement between PSFU, financial institutions and women entrepreneurs remains critical.
    The partnership provides an avenue for beneficiaries to raise concerns, share lessons and understand how available financing and business support can be used more effectively.
    A New Chapter for Women in Business
    Uganda’s economic transformation will require millions of entrepreneurs to move from small-scale survival enterprises into productive, competitive and sustainable businesses.
    Women will be central to that journey.
    The Women Borrowers’ Engagement Meeting in Kampala demonstrated the importance of connecting finance with knowledge, mentorship and market opportunities.
    For women entrepreneurs, the challenge now is to turn access into action—to invest wisely, strengthen their enterprises and create opportunities for others.

    And if that happens at scale, the impact of GROW financing will not be measured only by the amount of money disbursed.
    It will be measured by businesses that survive, enterprises that expand, workers who find jobs and families whose economic prospects become stronger.

  • Photos: Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo ends on a high with Grand Festival!!

    Photos: Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo ends on a high with Grand Festival!!

    After three days filled with various conferences, exhibitions, and showcases, the 9th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo concluded on Saturday with a vibrant music and cultural festival at the Lakeside Gardens, Speke Resort Munyonyo, marking a grand climax to the event that commenced on May 21, 2025, and wrapped up on May 24, 2025.

    The festival, organized by the Ministry of Wildlife and Antiquities, was headlined by the singing trio Jackie Chandiru, Lillian Mbabazi, and Cindy Sanyu from Blu *3, Renowned ‘Binyanyanya’ DJ Suuna Ben, Winnie Nwagi, comedy duo Madrat and Chiko, Aliddeki Brian, Abeeka Band, Crane Performers, DJ Tony, and Alpha Otim.

    Salvado Idringi, Adele Kiele, and Sheilla Gashumba were the hosts during the festival.
    The activities started with a boating regatta experience at Lake Victoria for some guests before DJ Tony kicked off the day with deejay mixes that took the audience to the first performance from the Crane Performers. Their showcase delved into the different Ugandan cultures exhibited in dance and music.

    Brian Aliddeki’s distinctive musical style, blending traditional Ugandan rhythms, melodies with contemporary sounds, especially on songs like Empaako Ya Niwooha, Akasilikiro, and Njagala Nkwagale, excited mostly the foreigners in attendance.

    At 6 pm, Abeeka Band took to the stage, and their 45-minute performances didn’t seem enough for the crowd, who sang along to every cover that the band did. Their set was so good that they returned to play for an extra five minutes as requested by Salvador and the audience.
    Madrat and Chiko came next, with skits centered on their travels in Uganda and abroad. They did so well that they left the audience roaring with laughter.

    IGC, a pioneering Ugandan fashion label co-founded by Katende Godfrey, was the official fashion curator for the expo, and during the closing ceremony, they showcased a unique perspective focusing on sustainability and heritage.
    This showcase presented original outfits that reimagine Lubugo (barkcloth), tracing its evolution from traditional fabric to modern fashion.

    Regarded as the pioneer of Acholitronix – a mixture of electronic music and Acholi traditional instruments, Otim Alpha tapped into a new audience, and his traditional Acholi ‘Larakaraka’ music excited some people in the crowd, especially those who are familiar with that language.

    Winnie Nwagi’s set brought people close to the stage, and she put up a splendid performance with songs like Gyangu, chekecha, matala, musawo, magic, okubye nyo, fire dancer, Amaaso with Vinka, Malaika, and Batuleke.

    “I have hosted events before, but last night I was in awe … during the day, we had a lot of classy people .. you know the wareva type, at night during Suuna set .. all I saw was kubakubakubakuba .. I got goosebumps .. never seen anything like that … this man is who he says he is .. I’ve allowed,” Salvado tweeted after Suuna Ben’s set.

    Suuna Ben’s session didn’t last more than 40 minutes, but it left everyone, including the bazungus, looking like they were possessed.
    Shortly after his performance, BLU *3 took it away, reminding the audience with their throwback songs like Nsanyuka Nawe, Hitaji, Mutima Gwange, Where You Are, and Sanyu Lyange, among others.

    The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is an annual event showcasing Uganda’s unique attractions, promoting the country as a prime destination for tourism investment, partnerships, and cultural exploration.
    This concept brings together tourism operators, travel agents, hospitality stakeholders, and investors from around the world, creating a platform to promote Uganda’s brand as “The Pearl of Africa.

    The pearl of Africa tourism expo was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Skills Excel, Uganda Tourism Association, Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Uganda Waragi, IGC (Official Fashion Curator), Talent Africa Group, Uganda Airlines, KCCA, PSFU, UN Global Pulse, Lemala Wild Waters, Speke Resort Convention Center and was organized by Talent Africa Group, Uganda’s leading 360 events Management Company.

  • dfcu Bank partners with PSFU to empower Uganda’s next generation of entrepreneurs

    dfcu Bank partners with PSFU to empower Uganda’s next generation of entrepreneurs

    Kampala: dfcu Bank sponsored and participated in the highly anticipated PSFU NextGen Conference, a transformative platform aimed at equipping young Ugandan entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and networks they need to thrive in the dynamic world of business.

    Held under the auspices of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), this groundbreaking event reaffirmed dfcu Bank’s unwavering commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and driving economic transformation across Uganda.

    PSFU Board Chairman, Humphrey Nzeyi while making his opening remarks said, “When we, as PSFU looked at Uganda’s entrepreneurial landscape that is buzzing with young entrepreneurs, we decided to hold a one-day mentorship program where the youth could be empowered with knowledge from experienced entrepreneurs to help them build sustainable businesses. PSFU NextGen is about ensuring that future generations are equipped to transform Uganda’s economy.”

    Through its various sessions, including panels on starting and growing businesses, women in business, evolving investment dynamics and a keynote speech by the globally renowned entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo, the conference provided young entrepreneurs with actionable strategies and invaluable guidance on business. Participants engaged with seasoned business leaders, tackling key challenges such as accessing capital, scaling business, fostering innovation, and building sustainable enterprises.

    dfcu Bank’s collaboration with the PSFU NextGen platform is rooted in its 60-year legacy of driving Uganda’s economic growth and empowerment. The Bank’s sponsorship underscores its commitment to supporting Ugandans through tailored financial solutions.

    Over the past few years, programmes like the Bank’s Investment Club and SACCO initiative have empowered over 33,000 groups with financial literacy as well as product innovation, to support their goals to grow their savings and investments. Also, through the Business Accelerator Program, dfcu has fast-tracked the growth and scalability of young agribusinesses, supporting them to become investment-ready.

    Speaking at the event, dfcu CEO Charles Mudiwa emphasized the need for youth to take charge of Uganda’s abundant opportunities. “Having strategic intent is critical for success,” he noted. “Uganda is rich with opportunities for entrepreneurship, and we encourage the youth to leverage these opportunities to create thriving businesses instead of solely relying on job searches.”

    dfcu Bank strongly believes that empowering youth with the right tools and opportunities is critical to achieving Uganda’s long-term development goals. As part of its commitment, the Bank continues to invest in initiatives and partnerships that inspire innovation, sharpen business acumen, and create an enabling environment for the next generation of Ugandan entrepreneurs.

  • Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi commends PSFU for supporting Women & Youth entrepreneurs through Grow project

    Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi commends PSFU for supporting Women & Youth entrepreneurs through Grow project

    Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi has commended Private Sector Foundation- Uganda (PSFU) and its partners for organizing the Women’s Day Katale event which not only demonstrate their commitment to the economic development of women in ObwaKyabazinga Bwa Busoga but also signifies their intent to raise awareness about the diverse interventions available for women entrepreneurs beyond the event.

    This was contained in her speech read by Busoga Kingdom’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister Owek. Alhaj Osman Ahmed Noor, who represented her at the official launch of the three-day Women’s Day Katale event at Dam Waters in Jinja City.

    The event which started on March 15th will end on March 17th and was organized by PSFU in partnership with Mastercard Foundation where women entrepreneurs and various companies are exhibiting various products to the public and also exhibit new work skills.

    “It fills my heart with pride to be part of such a remarkable event that not only celebrates the achievements of women but also serves as a platform to address the economic challenges faced by women in Busoga and Uganda in general,” Inhebantu stated. Inhebantu was delighted that this year’s Katale was held in the heart of ObwaKyabazingaBwa Busoga, in the Country’s tourism capital, Jinja.

    She thanked PSFU for showcasing the Lead Firm structure for Youth employment in Uganda a project whose aim is gender mainstreaming with a specific focus on the inclusion of 70% young women and 30% young men.

    “I am also delighted that PSFU will be showcasing the Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) a project aiming at empowering women in our region,” Inhebantu Mutesi stated in her statement adding that although she was unable to attend physically, she assured them of her commitment to support the efforts to empower women and youth beyond the event.

    Inhebantu said that through ObwaKyabazinga Bwa Busoga led by His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope IV, she accepted to take on the mantle to mobilise women and youth in Busoga to benefit from the GROW project.

    “I have been informed that the GROW project and Lead Firm Structure for Youth Employment are going to benefit 30,000 women and youth in the whole country and of these10,000 will benefit and improve their businesses in Busoga sub region,” She stated and that ObwaKyabazinga Bwa Busoga will sign an MOU with PSFU to sensitise women and youth about processes on how to access funds from the GROW project.

    She further said that, together, let them bridge the economic divides and pave the way for women’s prosperity, because when one invests in women, the nation prospers and urged PSFU and partners to hold the hands of all women to prosper.

    Sarah Kagingo, the Vice chairperson PSFU said 75% of Ugandans today are below 25 years and women among these are very entrepreneurial but face several challenges and this is why at PSFU we are very pleased to support the young people, young women and the business sector to grow.

    Kagingo added that PSFU runs programs like GROW implemented by the Ministry of Gender and funded by the World Bank specifically to scale the businesses of women from micro to small medium businesses.

    The Jinja City Mayor, Alton Peter Kasolo said the only way to develop this Country is through social economic transformation and they can only achieve it by doing what he was seeing here, putting women together and getting involved in all these activities like exhibitions. Present at the event were Busoga Kingdom’s Kyabazinga Affairs Minister Owek. Yudaya Babirye, Foreign Affairs Minister Owek. Joan Machora Kitto, Youth and ICT Minister James Mukembo, Speaker of Busoga Lukiiko George Mutyabule, PSFU Chief Executive Officer Stephen Asiimwe, Bugweri district Woman Member of Parliament Rachael Magoola and Victoria Ssekitoleko among others.

  • PSFU and Delight Uganda train 6000 Northern Uganda Youth in Fruit Farming, Financial Management

    PSFU and Delight Uganda train 6000 Northern Uganda Youth in Fruit Farming, Financial Management

    At-least 6300 young women and men in Nwoya district, northern Uganda have been trained in fruit farming, modern agricultural practices as well as financial literacy, and entrepreneurial skills.

    The beneficiaries were part of the Delight with the Youth project implemented by Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Delight Uganda Limited and supported by the Mastercard Foundation. They were identified from the community and underwent two and half years of theoretical and practical lessons from the Delight Farm Institute in Lungulu Sub County, Nwoya district.

    Stephen Asiimwe, the PSFU Chief Executive Officer disclosed that the beneficiaries were supported under the Lead Firm Structure Young Africa Works Project which aims at transforming the economic livelihoods of individuals.
    “I am excited to be here to witness the transformation that has happened in this place, thanks to our partnership with Delight Uganda. We are celebrating the founders of Delight Uganda, local authority and the community for embracing the project and making it work. But more importantly, we are celebrating giving value to primary products such as fruits and crops so that our people can earn a living and transform their communities,” Mr. Asiimwe said.

    Apollo Mayanja, the Lead Firm Structure Project Lead said that the beneficiaries gained skills in growing fruits, mindset change, commercial agriculture, value addition, marketing, and managing finances. He further disclosed that the Lead Firm Structure project has so far unlocked at-least 90,000 new work opportunities for the youth out of the intended 300,000 jobs targeted by the end of 2025.
    “We are looking at directing creating 300,000 jobs but remember for every job, we create, it also unlocks other opportunities. We believe that the 300,000 we will create will also create thousands of other jobs. That is our humble contribution to addressing the unemployment issue in Uganda,” Mr. Mbaziira said.

    Dr. Julian Adyeri, the chief executive officer of Delight Uganda noted that the project that sits on two square miles in Anaka, Nwoya district now supports a community school, fruits & trees nurseries, and cereals plantations, in addition to dormitories, irrigation schemes and silos storage facilities.
    “We thank PSFU and Mastercard Foundation for this intervention. The hundreds of young women and men that have benefited from this project continue to transform their communities in different ways. We nonetheless acknowledge that this is just the start and much more deliberate efforts must be implemented if our country is to achieve total transformation,” Dr. Adyeri said.

    Minus, the over 6,000 job opportunities created by this project, Delight Uganda has a skilling institute where 12,167 (71 per cent being women) have received practical/hands-on trainings on selected business development modules.
    Twenty-Six-year-old Milly Oroma, one of the direct beneficiaries from this project testified that the knowledge she attained from the Delight Uganda project has transformed her from a poor single mother into a confident, self-sustaining and productive business lady.

    “I am now able to take care of myself, pay my kid’s school fees, support my parents and live calmly without worry about what to eat tomorrow. My dream is to become as successful as Dr. Adyeri and create opportunities for hundreds of youth that are suffering like I used to,” Oroma said.
    The Guest of Honour, Col. Charles Okello Engola, the state minister for Labour and Gender applauded Delight Uganda, PSFU and Mastercard Foundation for their contribution to Uganda’s economic transformation. He pledged government’s support towards interventions aimed at addressing unemployment and closing the poverty gap.

    “We are all inspired by how Dr. Adyeri and her team have transformed this place from a poor unknown village into an income generating hub. The impact this project has had on young people is wonderful. The Nwoya youth are very luck for this project. We now need to recreate similar projects across the country. As government, we are ready to partner with all stakeholders on matters youth empowerment, jobs creation and poverty alleviation. We are committed to creating a conducive working environment for our Youth and Women.”

    Brendah Ankunda, the PSFU Investment Specialist in charge of crops noted that 56 per cent of those that took part in this training were women, adding that the beneficiaries will now be primary producers of mangoes, citrus, and guavas for the Delight Factory that will process them in to juice and other value added products. She disclosed that the training was done in cohorts of between 100 to 200 trainees within the two and half years.

  • Zeus The Agency Shares Expertise with Women Entrepreneurs at PSFU’s Women’s Katale

    Zeus The Agency Shares Expertise with Women Entrepreneurs at PSFU’s Women’s Katale

    To celebrate Women’s Month, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and Mastercard Foundation successfully hosted Season 2 of the Annual Women’s Katale, a women-focused event held at the UMA showgrounds. The event brought together businesses from both the public and private sectors to showcase their products and services, drawing people from all walks of life.

    Attendees benefited from business clinics facilitated by various institutions, covering topics relevant to business growth. Among the expert facilitators was Zeus The Agency, a dynamic marketing agency based in Ntinda that has won two consecutive awards for Best Digital Agency of the Year. Despite being a young agency, Zeus The Agency boasts extensive experience across various industries covering creative services, digital marketing, production, media, and PR.

    State minister for Kampala visiting the zeus business clinic

    At the event, Zeus provided attendees with valuable insights and knowledge on digital optimization for business growth. The agency emphasized the importance of businesses having a robust digital presence to reach untapped markets, highlighting the need for a strategic approach to digital marketing. Through their participation in the Annual Women’s Katale, Zeus The Agency reinforced its commitment to helping businesses thrive by providing innovative solutions that drive meaningful results.

    Rita Arinaitwe, the Digital Lead at Zeus The Agency, emphasized the importance of creating exciting content and understanding audiences to fully reach targeted audiences.

    Zeus Associate Creative Director: Onen Henry Bwomono & Account Mananger Damaris Wanjiku address the exhibitors.

    “Effective content creation is crucial in modern digital marketing. At Zeus, we take a data-driven approach to develop high-quality content that resonates with our clients’ target customers. Our team of experienced writers, designers, and digital marketers work together to create impactful content that drives results,” she said.

    Zeus the Agency also offered to set up and optimize social media pages for the SMEs at the event. The team provided guidance on creating effective content and engaging with their audience to empower these SMEs to grow their online presence and take their businesses to the next level. “Through initiatives like this, we hope to make a positive impact on the local business community and help businesses thrive in the digital age,” Rita added.

    The event organizers promised and delivered networking opportunities for the thousands of revelers in attendance, with unique discounted products brought closer to potential customers, and business skills shared. The skills learned at the event motivated more women to venture into businesses they hadn’t thought of before, while the knowledge shared had most admitting it was the push they needed to start.

    Angela Bagaine, a PSFU board member, also urged women to adopt innovativeness, cut out plagiarism in the business, and give their consumers options. The guest of honor, Hon Hajjati Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, lauded the great work of PSFU and the various exhibitors for setting the pace of women’s entrepreneurship in the country.

    The event was capped off with wonderful performances from local divas, Winnie Nwagi and Etania, in an epic climax to what was a successful event.