KAMPALA, UGANDA — Women entrepreneurs across Uganda have been called upon to apply for the 2026 cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Technology (WiT) Accelerator, a flagship initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of women-led enterprises in the country’s growing digital economy.
The call was made during the official launch of the programme’s second cohort at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, where government officials and private sector leaders underscored the need to address persistent barriers limiting women in technology.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Monica Musenero, highlighted ongoing government efforts to strengthen Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. She revealed that deliberate steps have been taken to bridge the gap between policy and practice, including the establishment of dedicated structures to track Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) metrics.
“We have established dedicated structures, including an economic unit for STI metrics, to bridge the gap between policy and knowledge,” Musenero said. “Through STI, we are rolling out town halls and platforms to improve access to information, facilities, and innovation spaces.”
She added that the Women in Tech programme aligns with Uganda’s broader national priorities, particularly the drive toward a knowledge-based economy and economic transformation.
Musenero also raised concern over the underutilisation of government-established innovation centres, noting that many remain idle due to limited public awareness. She revealed that government is considering quarterly town-hall meetings across the country to sensitise communities and encourage greater use of these facilities, particularly among young innovators.
The Women in Technology Accelerator, funded by Standard Chartered Bank and implemented by Innovation Village in partnership with Village Capital and Future Lab, is designed to go beyond traditional entrepreneurship training.
The 30-week programme, running from April to October 2026, combines mentorship, market access, investment readiness, and catalytic funding to support women entrepreneurs building scalable, tech-driven solutions.
Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, Sanjay Rughani, urged women founders to take advantage of the opportunity, emphasizing the importance of empowering women for broader economic growth.
“Persistent inequalities across Uganda and the region continue to limit the growth of women-led businesses. Yet empowering women is critical to economic development and the prosperity of communities,” he said.
According to Japheth Kawanguzi, the accelerator adopts a three-pillar model comprising a Community of Practice, an Accelerator, and a Market Integration component. The approach is intended not only to support individual enterprises but also to strengthen the wider technology ecosystem.
Up to 20 women-led businesses will be selected for the programme, with at least 14 expected to graduate as investment-ready ventures. Participants will also benefit from market linkages through pilot partnerships, commercial agreements, and investor networks.
Arthur Mukembo, Chief Executive Officer at Future Lab, noted that the inaugural cohort supported 12 women entrepreneurs, with top performers receiving up to $10,000 in catalytic funding.
“In 2026, we aim to support up to 20 enterprises, deploy $50,000 in catalytic funding, and create over 100 direct and indirect jobs,” Mukembo said. “We also expect at least 60 new jobs and more than 10 live commercial pilots.”
The launch comes at a time when gender disparities remain evident in Uganda’s technology sector, where women account for only about 18 percent of the workforce. Many continue to face challenges such as limited access to financing, digital skills, and professional networks.
Globally, the Standard Chartered Foundation has committed over $600,000 in grant funding for the 2026 cohort across 12 markets, including Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. To date, the initiative has supported more than 4,000 women founders across 17 markets.
With applications now open, stakeholders say the Women in Technology Accelerator offers a critical pathway for women entrepreneurs seeking to scale their ventures and play a more significant role in shaping Uganda’s digital future.
Interested applicants can submit their applications through the programme’s official website.
