MBALE CITY: 08 October 2026— In a major push to accelerate the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs across Uganda, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) has embarked on a nationwide regional orientation drive ahead of the official launch of a new financial product under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project: the Business Plan Competition Grants.
Supported by the World Bank, the project leadership—led by Cabinet and State Ministers—is traversing the country to orient key Local Government leadership, including Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), LCV Chairpersons, Mayors, Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), Town Clerks, District Commercial Officers, Chairpersons of Women Entrepreneurs Platforms, and GROW Focal Persons.
The nationwide consultation and sensitization drive features top leadership engagements across key sub-regions:
Ankole and Kigezi Sub-regions: Hon. Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde led the ministerial delegation in meeting and briefing regional stakeholders in Rukungiri.
Greater Masaka: Hon. Jackie Mbabazi spearheaded the orientation meetings with local government executives.
Teso and Karamoja Sub-regions: Hon. Dr. Lakisa Mercy Faith took charge of mobilizing and guiding leaders in the eastern and northeastern corridors.
Bugisu, Bukedi, Busoga, and Sebei Sub-regions: Hon. Simon Mulongo led the engagements held at the Mbale Resort Hotel in Mbale City.
Addressing leaders gathered at Mbale Resort Hotel, Hon. Simon Mulongo emphasized that the new grant scheme directly addresses financial bottlenecks identified during the rollout of the earlier GROW Loan facility.
”We noted with concern that despite the widespread rollout of the GROW Loan across the country, a significant number of viable women entrepreneurs were unable to access or secure the loan due to varying financial constraints, stringent banking requirements, or credit limitations,” Hon. Mulongo stated. “This grant targets women entrepreneurs who did not receive the GROW loan. We must spread project benefits widely so that every eligible woman entrepreneur gets a fair chance to scale up.”
The non-repayable capital grants aim to support a minimum of 2,626 women-owned enterprises nationwide, with a dedicated allocation targeting at least 767 enterprises within Refugee Hosting Districts (RHDs).
The Business Plan Competition Grants offer competitive funding structured into two distinct operational categories:
Micro enterprises employing up to four people owing assets up to UGX10 million are eligible for grants ranging from 3,500,000/ to 35,690,000/. While small businesses employing 5 to 10 people and with assets up to UGX100 million are eligible for UGX39,259,000/ to 107,070,000/.
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National target sectors prioritize innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)—such as construction, metal fabrication, and robotics—alongside commercial agribusiness processing, green energy/climate resilience (solar technology, irrigation, waste management), health technology, and early childcare facilities (0–3 years).
Outside designated inclusion categories, standard non-eligible enterprises include general market vending, basic hair salons, event planning, and subsistence farming. All funded projects will operate within a 9-to-12-month window, with project closeout strictly scheduled for June 2027.
Special Provisions for Inclusivity
Recognizing regional economic variations, eligibility parameters have been broadened for Refugees and Host Districts (RHDs), Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Vulnerable Groups (VMGs). Qualifying ventures under these specific categories extend to community-based projects such as poultry and goat rearing, local food processing, tailoring, mobile money kiosks, catering services, and childcare centers.
Strict Safeguards, Zero-Tolerance on Fraud, and Action Mandate
Hon. Mulongo issued a stern directive regarding the integrity of the application process, reiterating that the application process is 100% FREE and that any form of extortion or fraudulent intermediary fees should be reported immediately to the Ministry and security authorities.
Key Safeguards and Execution Procedures:
Digital Applications: All applications must be submitted digitally via the official GROW website or the GROW Mobile App (available on Google Play Store) during a 30-calendar-day Request for Applications (RFA) window following the official launch.
Hands-on Assistance: Sub-regional Business Clinics will be established to guide applicants through proposal development, budgeting, and documentation.
Vetting Protocols: Applicants will undergo background checks including Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) verification, financial sanctions screening, and human rights/labor compliance reviews.
Strict Non-Duplication Policy: Previous beneficiaries of the GROW Loan are strictly excluded from applying, guaranteeing that capital reaches previously unserved women entrepreneurs.
Local Government officials have been tasked with initiating immediate grassroots mobilization via local radio barazas, sub-county council meetings, and local women networks to prepare prospective applicants and ensure transparent implementation across all districts.