Under the visionary leadership of the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, the Ugandan government launched the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project which is a World Bank funded program that aims to support women entrepreneurs transition from micro to small and from small to medium enterprises in line with the Governments NDP III goal that explicitly calls for “promoting women’s economic empowerment, leadership and participation in decision making through investment in entrepreneurship programs and business centers”.
The project is set to run until 2027, with a clear goal of supporting 35,000 micro and 4,000 small women enterprises in transitioning to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Under this project, we will train 286 women, with the capacity to incubate up to 1,000 incubatees simultaneously across our campuses in Wakiso, Luwero, and Isingiro.
At the forefront of this initiative is Gudie Leisure Farm, a leading training facility for women entrepreneurs from refugee hosting districts such as Kikube, Isingiro, Adjumani, Madi Okollo, and Kamwenge. In collaboration with the Ministry and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Gudie Leisure Farm recently welcomed Hon. Betty Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, for a monitoring visit to observe the progress of the participating women.
Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza, the Managing Director and Founder of Gudie Leisure Farm, extended her heartfelt congratulations to all the women who have successfully completed the training. She emphasized the pivotal role these women will play as mentors and coaches to others in their communities, leveraging the knowledge and skills acquired through the GROW project.
Under this project, Gudie Leisure Farm will train 286 women, with the capacity to incubate up to 1,000 incubatees simultaneously across its campuses in Wakiso, Luwero, and Isingiro. The aim is not only to equip these women with practical business development services but also to instill confidence and empower them to become leaders in their respective districts.
Addressing the graduating participants, Joanne Aniku Okia, Woman Member of Parliament for Madi Okollo, highlighted their newfound roles as ambassadors of the GROW project. She encouraged them to share their knowledge and experiences with other women in their communities, thereby creating a ripple effect of empowerment and economic growth.
Minister Amongi commended Gudie Leisure Farm for its holistic approach to training and empowering women entrepreneurs. She expressed her admiration for the confidence and determination exhibited by the participants, emphasizing the importance of leveraging the networks established during the training.
Furthermore, Minister Amongi assured the graduating women of continued support through the Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs component of the program. This support will include access to financing options with favorable interest rates, as well as tools and equipment to facilitate business growth.
As Gudie Leisure Farm continues to champion the cause of women empowerment, it remains committed to nurturing a new generation of successful and resilient women entrepreneurs who will drive positive change in their communities and beyond.