Sharon Bakanansa
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I For the past decade, Sharon Bakanansa has built a reputation for determination and entrepreneurship in Busula Town, where she now proudly runs Students Pride Printers and Stationers, a business that has become a reliable service point for students and residents in the area.
Her journey into entrepreneurship began with the guidance and encouragement of her late father, who inspired her to venture into the stationery and printing business. Starting small, Sharon steadily grew the shop into a community hub offering stationery supplies, printing and other secretarial services.
However, like many small business owners, she faced persistent challenges, especially limited capital that constrained expansion and the ability to meet rising customer demand.
New Vision Adverts
Her breakthrough came when she learned about the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises Project (GROW Project) through advertisements in local newspapers, including the New Vision.
Encouraged by the opportunity to access affordable financing, Sharon approached Centenary Bank, where she had maintained a long-standing banking relationship. Through the programme, she secured a loan of Shs5 million with a repayment period of one year.
The approval process was smooth due to her strong credit history and consistent record of repaying earlier loans. Within three days, the funds were disbursed, allowing Sharon to quickly invest in her business.
She used the money to expand her inventory and purchase two computers to support secretarial and printing services. The investment significantly improved efficiency and customer service, enabling the shop to handle printing and documentation requests more quickly.
Pride of Luweero town
Today, Students Pride Printers and Stationers continues to grow, serving a wide range of customers including students, teachers and local residents. The business has also created employment, with Sharon hiring an assistant to help manage the expanding operations.
Looking ahead, Sharon has even bigger ambitions. She hopes to establish a secretarial training school that will equip young people in her community with practical skills in typing, printing and office administration.
“I want to encourage women to believe in themselves when starting businesses so that they can succeed,” she said, expressing gratitude for the support she received through the GROW initiative.
Launched by the Government of Uganda in 2023 with support from the World Bank, the GROW Project is designed to empower women entrepreneurs by improving access to financial services, training and business infrastructure.
For Sharon, the programme has not only strengthened her business but also renewed her confidence in the future of women-led enterprises in Uganda.
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