KAMPALA, Uganda – The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has taken a major step toward strengthening women’s economic empowerment with the official signing of performance-based grant contracts and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with selected Common User Production Facilities (CUPFs) under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry’s boardroom in Kampala, brought together representatives from nine selected organizations that will pilot the initiative aimed at expanding access to gender-inclusive workplace infrastructure for women entrepreneurs.
Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment
In his remarks read by Apollo Onzoma the Assistant Commissioner of Industrial Relations at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Mr. Aggrey D. Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry underscored the importance of the initiative, noting that the GROW Project—funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry, seeks to support women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and improving productivity.
He congratulated the selected organizations for successfully navigating a rigorous selection process, emphasizing that the grants are performance-based and require strict adherence to agreed implementation plans.
“This support is intended to help women-led enterprises transition from one level of growth to another by addressing critical infrastructure gaps,” Kibenge said. “We expect the funds to be used exactly as proposed, and our technical teams will provide continuous oversight and support.”
Delayed but Delivered
Kibenge acknowledged delays in disbursing the funds, which had initially been symbolically announced during the International Labour Day celebrations on May 1, 2025. He attributed the delay to extended approval processes but expressed satisfaction that implementation can now proceed.
“I am pleased that the processes are now complete and the grants can finally be advanced,” he said.
Pilot Cohort of Beneficiaries
The first cohort of beneficiaries includes a diverse group of organizations representing various sectors and regions across Uganda. These include;
Finn Church Aid Uganda (FCA), Okere Community Development Project, Wend Africa (Women Empowerment Network Design), Namalu Farmers Produce and Cooperative Society Limited, Kiruhura Women Entrepreneurs in Ghee Processing (KWEG), Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration, The Innovation Village Hub, Airo Cassava Growers & Processors Association, and Kiyindi Women Fish Processors Association
According to the Ministry, these organizations were selected not only for their strong proposals but also for their alignment with sectors where women are most economically active.
Proposed Projects Summary
Finn Church Aid Uganda (FCA)
Project: Establishment of Palabek Women’s Agro-Enterprise Hub for Honey and Grain Value Addition
Location: Palabek Refugee Settlement and Host Communities, Lamwo District
Grant Amount: UGX 795,000,000
Sector: Agro-Processing
Scope: This project will establish a fully functional agro-enterprise hub to support women in value addition of honey and grain products. Key interventions include construction of a processing and working facility, provision of modern processing equipment, and delivery of targeted skills development and training programs to enhance productivity and incomes.
Okere Community Development Project (Okere City)
Project: Shea Butter Processing for Cosmetic, Nutritional, and Medicinal Products
Location: Okere Parish, Adwar Sub-county, Otuke District
Grant Amount: UGX 658,000,000
Sector: Manufacturing (Shea Butter)
Scope: The project aims to promote value addition in shea butter production for diverse uses including cosmetics, nutrition, and medicine. It will involve construction of a processing facility, installation of appropriate shea butter processing equipment, and provision of technical skills training to local beneficiaries.
WEND Africa (Women Empowerment Network Design)
Project: Creative Industries Development (Tailoring, Leather Products, Arts and Crafts)
Location: Gulu City (serving Omoro, Nwoya, and Gulu City)
Grant Amount: UGX 745,000,000
Sector: Creative Industries (Tailoring & Garment)
Scope: This initiative will strengthen the creative sector by establishing production infrastructure and enhancing skills in tailoring, leatherwork, and crafts. Activities include construction of a warehouse and workspace, procurement of tools and machinery, and implementation of apprenticeship and vocational training programs.
Namalu Farmers Produce and Cooperative Society Ltd
Project: Maize Agro-Processing and Establishment of a Bulking Center
Location: Lokiyengunet East Village, Namalu Sub-county, Nakapiripirit District
Grant Amount: UGX 253,405,000
Sector: Agro-Processing
Scope: The project will improve maize value chains through refurbishment of existing grain storage facilities and installation of a 0.5-ton per hour maize milling machine, enabling efficient aggregation, processing, and market access.
Kiruhura Women Entrepreneurs in Ghee Processing (KWEG)
Project: Rehabilitation and Expansion of Ghee Processing Cottage Industry
Location: Nyakasharara, Rushere, Kiruhura District
Grant Amount: UGX 815,000,000
Sector: Manufacturing
Scope: This project focuses on revitalizing and expanding ghee production. It includes refurbishment of facilities, civil and electrical repairs, re-equipping with modern processing tools, and capacity building through skills training for women entrepreneurs.
Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar
Project: Garment Production Facility Upgrade
Location: Tororo Municipality, Tororo District
Grant Amount: UGX 350,000,000
Sector: Creative Industries (Tailoring & Garment)
Scope: The project will upgrade an existing garment production facility through renovation and remodeling of workspace and procurement of modern tailoring equipment to enhance production capacity and quality.
The Innovation Village Hub
Project: Industrial Skills Development and Women Enterprise Empowerment Program
Location: Kampala
Grant Amount: UGX 1,650,000,000
Sector: Multi-sector (Carpentry, Welding & Fabrication, Tailoring, ICT)
Scope: This program aims to strengthen industrial skills and women-led enterprises through refurbishment of training facilities, provision of equipment across multiple trades, and delivery of structured apprenticeship and enterprise development programs.
Airo Cassava Growers & Processors Association
Project: Cassava Processing and Value Addition Project
Location: Dokolo, Asamuk, Amuria District
Grant Amount: UGX 1,380,000,000
Sector: Agro-Processing
Scope: The project will enhance cassava value addition through construction of a processing facility and installation of a complete cassava processing line, improving productivity, product quality, and market competitiveness.
Kiyindi Women Fish Processors Association
Project: Fish Processing and Cold Storage Facility
Location: Kiyindi Landing Site, Buikwe District
Grant Amount: UGX 300,000,000
Sector: Agro-Processing
Scope: This initiative will support fish value addition through construction of a processing facility and provision of fish drying and smoking equipment, contributing to reduced post-harvest losses and improved incomes.
Expanding Access Through Shared Infrastructure
The MoU signed alongside the grant contracts formalizes collaboration between the Ministry and CUPFs, which will provide shared production facilities, processing equipment, and business-enabling infrastructure tailored to women entrepreneurs.
These facilities are expected to address persistent barriers such as limited access to affordable workspaces, modern equipment, and value-addition technologies—challenges that have historically constrained the growth of women-owned businesses.
By adopting a regional distribution model, the Ministry aims to ensure equitable access to infrastructure services across the country, while also aligning support with local economic activities and value chains.
More Opportunities Ahead
The Ministry emphasized that the nine organizations represent only a pilot phase of the initiative. Evaluation of additional proposals is ongoing, with plans to award up to 200 more grants in subsequent phases.
“This is just the beginning,” Kibenge noted. “We are committed to scaling this intervention to reach more women entrepreneurs nationwide.”
A Strategic Milestone
The MoU signing marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the GROW Project, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Officials say the initiative will not only improve productivity and product quality among women entrepreneurs but also reduce operational costs and enhance their competitiveness in local and regional markets.
For details, visit your nearest GROW Focal person at the district or division or call 0800307777.
