SOROTI, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) – The Government of Uganda is set to provide women entrepreneurs with non-repayable business grants ranging from Shs3.5 million to Shs107.07 million under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
The grants target women-owned micro and small enterprises that were unable to access the GROW loan due to financial constraints, banking requirements or credit limitations.
Hon. Mercy Faith Lakisa, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, said the Business Plan Competition Grants are intended to give eligible women entrepreneurs another opportunity to expand their businesses and increase their contribution to the economy.
Speaking at a regional orientation meeting for local government leaders at Hursey Resort in Soroti City on October 7, 2026, Lakisa said the government is committed to ensuring that women who missed out on the loan programme benefit from alternative business financing.
“This grant targets women entrepreneurs that did not receive the GROW loan,” she said, urging local leaders to mobilise eligible beneficiaries and ensure the programme reaches women who need support to grow their enterprises.
The grants will range from Shs3.5 million to Shs35.69 million for micro enterprises, while small enterprises will qualify for between Shs39.259 million and Shs107.07 million, depending on the business category and selection criteria.
Micro enterprises are defined as businesses employing up to four people, with sales or assets of up to Shs10 million. Small enterprises employ between five and 49 people and have assets ranging from Shs10 million to Shs100 million.
The government targets at least 2,626 women-owned enterprises nationwide, including at least 767 businesses in refugee-hosting districts.
Priority will be given to innovative businesses, particularly those using Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), green technologies and climate-resilient solutions.
These include solar energy, irrigation, waste management, commercial agricultural processing, health technology and early childcare facilities for children aged zero to three years.
However, women entrepreneurs in refugee-hosting districts, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups will have broader eligibility to include ventures such as poultry and goat rearing, food processing, tailoring, childcare, mobile money services and catering.
Lakisa urged local government leaders to ensure that information about the grants reaches women at the grassroots, warning that poor communication could prevent eligible entrepreneurs from benefiting.
She also cautioned against duplication, stressing that women who previously received GROW loans are not eligible for the business plan competition grants.
The minister further warned against fraud and extortion, emphasising that the application process is entirely free.
“No woman entrepreneur should pay any fee to any official, consultant, or broker to access application forms or win a grant,” she said.
Applications will be submitted digitally through the official GROW Project website or its mobile application on Google Play Store. The call for applications is scheduled to open on October 15, 2026, and will remain open for 30 calendar days.
Business clinics will also be organised across Uganda’s 19 sub-regions and 12 refugee settlements from the end of October to guide applicants on preparing business proposals, budgets and the required documentation.
Successful applicants are expected to receive grants by the end of December 2026, with implementation and monitoring scheduled throughout 2027. All funded projects must run for nine to 12 months and be completed by June 2027.
To qualify, an enterprise must be legally registered in Uganda, owned by a Ugandan woman or a registered refugee woman, and have operated for at least one year with supporting business records. Applicants will also be required to provide a National Identification Number or refugee identification documents and at least 12 months of bank statements.
Applicants will undergo credit reference checks, financial sanctions reviews and labour and human rights compliance assessments.
The GROW Project, implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development with support from the World Bank, has a total budget of $217 million, including $40 million dedicated to refugees and host communities.
The project aims to improve women entrepreneurs’ access to services that enable their businesses to grow, with a target of supporting 60,000 female-owned enterprises, including 3,000 refugee-owned businesses.
It also seeks to reach 280,000 women entrepreneurs and employees, including 42,000 refugees and 14,000 members of host communities, alongside an estimated 1.6 million indirect beneficiaries.
According to project figures, 166 Women Entrepreneurship Platforms have been established, exceeding the target of 146. The platforms provide opportunities for networking, mentorship and sharing information about business opportunities.
A total of 76,762 women entrepreneurs, including 4,862 from refugee-hosting districts and 2,248 refugees, have been mobilised to register with the platforms and access information and mentorship.
