KAMPALA UGANDA: 13 November 2026— In a major boost for female entrepreneurship, the Government of Uganda has officially launched the Business Plan Competition Grant (BPCG) under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project. Implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) with support from the World Bank, the initiative seeks to inject critical business expansion financing into women-owned micro and small enterprises across the country.
The grants range significantly from UGX 3,700,000 to UGX 111,000,000, structured according to enterprise size. Micro enterprises can access funding of up to UGX 35,690,000, while small enterprises are eligible for grants of up to UGX 107,070,000.
Bridging the Financing Gap
Traditionally, women entrepreneurs face immense hurdles when trying to access conventional financial services, often constrained by a lack of collateral, emerging business models, or stringent institutional requirements. The GROW Project’s Business Plan Competition Grant is specifically designed to overcome these barriers.
By identifying commercially viable enterprises with strong growth potential, the programme aims to: Increase financial access for business expansion and heightened market competitiveness, and foster creativity, scalability, and innovation—particularly within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The initiative also aims to attract women into traditionally male-dominated sectors such as technology, construction, and advanced industrial fields, Drive green business practices, climate change mitigation, and sustainable production, and support social enterprises, notably the establishment and expansion of childcare facilities to generate economic opportunities and provide essential services.
Priority Sectors and Eligible Activities
The competition targets a wide array of industries, putting special emphasis on sectors with low historical participation of women. Eligible sectors include Agribusiness (agro-processing, apiculture, hydroponics, and mechanisation), Green Businesses (renewable and solar energy systems, plastic recycling), Construction (metal fabrication, masonry, civil works), STEM and ICT (software development, digital solutions, medical and health tech), Arts and Creatives, Manufacturing, and Social Enterprises (childcare facilities, mental health rehabilitation, and tourism).
Grant funds can be deployed toward high-impact business activities, including: The acquisition of specialised machinery, equipment, and productive assets, Business process automation and digitisation, Product/service innovation and industrial value addition.
The grants can also be deployed towards employee capacity building and specialized training, and Market expansion, export promotion, and commercializing research and development.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
The competition is open to eligible women-owned micro and small enterprises operating across all cities, municipalities, districts, hard-to-reach areas, and refugee-hosting communities in Uganda.
Core eligibility requirements stipulate that:
Ownership: Enterprises must be majority-owned (more than 50%) and controlled by women, with a woman acting as a signatory to legal documents and financial accounts.
Scale: Micro enterprises employ up to 4 people or have an annual turnover not exceeding UGX 10 million; Small enterprises employ up to 48 people or have an annual turnover not exceeding UGX 100 million.
Operations: The business must have a verifiable physical operating location (backed by GPS coordinates and an LC1 letter) and must have been operational for at least one year.
Inclusion: Applications are welcomed from Ugandan women as well as legally registered women refugees in Uganda, alongside Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups (VMGs) and persons with disabilities. (Note: Political institutions, parties, and Government of Uganda/MDA entities are strictly excluded.)
Application Timeline and Process
Eligible implementation activities must fall within the programme implementation period spanning from 12th November 2026 to 11th December 2026, with an execution window of up to nine months for approved business plans.
Applicants are required to submit their business details, registration evidence (such as incorporation documents or an LC1-stamped owner statement), identification documents, and proof of 12 months of business operations through the official application portals:
Web portal: https://mis.grow.go.ug or www.grow.go.ug/informationcenter/applications/Business-Competition
Mobile App: Download the GROW App (GROW Uganda) via the Google Play Store
Shortlisted candidates will undergo a rigorous due diligence process, field verification, and business assessments supported by Business Advisors to develop bankable proposals before entering into a Performance-Based Agreement with the MGLSD.
