HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I In Wakiso District, Stella Ndibamegga Nasekwe is redefining small business success after a strategic investment—powered by a GROW loan—transformed her operations and boosted growth.
Founder of St. Joseph’s General Hardware, Nasekwe started her journey in 2016 with a single product—nails worth Shs6 million—supported by her husband. Through discipline and consistent reinvestment, she steadily expanded her stock and customer base. However, as the business grew, transport quickly became a major bottleneck.
Deliveries were slow and costly, limiting her ability to meet customer demand and expand her reach.
To address this, Nasekwe accessed a GROW Loan from Centenary Bank, which she used to purchase a delivery lorry. The investment marked a turning point.
The truck significantly reduced transport costs, improved efficiency, and enhanced customer service through timely deliveries. It also created employment for two drivers, contributing to local job creation.
Today, Nasekwe leads a team of five employees while managing her monthly loan repayments, demonstrating strong financial discipline. The GROW support extended beyond financing. She is now undergoing digital transformation, receiving training on social media management, content creation, and digital tools for tracking sales, stock, and accounting.
These interventions are helping her increase business visibility, strengthen customer engagement, and improve operational efficiency.
The impact has also been felt at a personal level. With improved income, Nasekwe has upgraded her family’s living conditions and ensured better education for her children. She now separates business and personal finances, pays herself a salary, and reinvests profits for growth.
Nasekwe’s journey highlights how targeted financial support and smart investment decisions can turn a small enterprise into a scalable and impactful business.
