VOICES OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS : In towns, markets, and villages across Uganda, a quiet transformation is unfolding, one not driven solely by infrastructure or policy reforms, but by a profound personal shift: women finding the confidence to speak, decide, and lead.
At the center of this movement is the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, a $217 million initiative supported by the World Bank and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Since its launch in 2023, the project has been reshaping not only women’s economic prospects but also long-standing social norms that have historically limited their agency.
A Shift Rooted in Voice and Confidence
The GROW Project is grounded in a simple but transformative idea: when women’s voices are heard and respected, entire communities benefit. Through initiatives like the “My Voice – My Family is Stronger for It” campaign, the program is tackling deeply embedded patriarchal norms that have traditionally excluded women from decision-making at home and in business.
For many women, empowerment begins with confidence, the ability to express ideas, participate in financial decisions, and assert leadership. Advocates say this shift is already producing ripple effects. Families are making more collaborative decisions, leading to improved outcomes in education, health, and financial stability.
“Economic empowerment is not just about access to capital, it’s about mindset and social support,” says Dr Ruth Aisha Kasolo, the Project Coordinator for GROW under the Private Sector Foundation Uganda. She notes that with continued institutional backing, the future is increasingly promising for women entrepreneurs nationwide.
Breaking Barriers Through Skills and Support
A key pillar of the GROW Project is its comprehensive training model. Women participate in a ten-module program covering financial literacy, digital marketing, and business management, skills designed to build both competence and confidence.
Beyond technical training, the initiative actively addresses social barriers. Many participants have long faced limited access to capital, exclusion from male-dominated industries, and even social disapproval when asserting economic independence.
Through Women Entrepreneurs Platforms (WEPs), the project also fosters mentorship and peer networks. These platforms provide safe spaces for women to share experiences, learn collectively, and amplify their voices in advocating for better opportunities.
Measurable Economic Impact
The results are already tangible. Across multiple regions, women-led businesses are experiencing significant growth. In some cases, operating capital has increased from as little as UGX 300,000 to over UGX 2.5 million following access to financing and training.
The project is also enabling women to break into traditionally male-dominated sectors such as ICT, manufacturing, and construction broadening the scope of female participation in Uganda’s economy.
Importantly, the initiative is reaching vulnerable populations, including refugee women and communities in underserved regions like Karamoja, Bukedi, and Busoga. By extending support to these areas, GROW ensures that empowerment is inclusive and far-reaching.
From Struggle to Success: A Story of Transformation
For entrepreneurs like Lillian Nakiru, the impact of the GROW Project is life-changing. The 28-year-old businesswoman from Moroto Central Market began her journey in 2020 with just UGX 500,000, selling fruits such as pineapples and watermelons. Despite her determination, growth remained elusive.
That changed when she learned about the GROW Loan during a local community meeting. After successfully applying, she received UGX 5 million at a favorable 10% interest rate.
“Thanks to this loan, I’ve been able to restock my shop and serve my customers better,” Lillian says. “Now my business is thriving.”
Today, her shop is valued at UGX 7 million, with plans to double its value within six months—a testament to the transformative power of access to finance combined with confidence and support.
Driving Cultural Change
While economic gains are significant, experts emphasize that the project’s long-term success depends on shifting societal attitudes. Engaging men, community leaders, and institutions as allies has become a critical strategy in promoting respect for women’s voices.
Supporting women, advocates argue, goes beyond providing resources. It requires listening without dismissal, valuing women’s perspectives, and creating space for them to lead.
A Stronger Future Through Inclusion
As more women across Uganda gain the confidence to speak, plan, and make decisions, the country is witnessing a strengthening of its social and economic fabric.
The message emerging from the GROW Project is clear: empowering women is not just a matter of equity—it is a catalyst for national development. When women rise, families stabilize, businesses grow, and communities thrive.
And at the heart of this transformation is a powerful truth increasingly embraced across the nation: her voice matters.
