Kansiime narrates her success story
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project is steadily reshaping Uganda’s business landscape by enabling women to break into sectors long dominated by men, including real estate, construction, and manufacturing. Through affordable financing, skills development, and mentorship, the initiative is not only unlocking capital but also dismantling socio-cultural barriers that have historically limited women’s economic participation.
60,000 female-owned businesses to benefit
Launched by President Yoweri Museveni, the GROW Project is a US$217 million World Bank-funded initiative implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). It targets more than 60,000 female-owned businesses, including 3,000 refugee-owned enterprises, with a focus on transforming existing enterprises rather than supporting startups. The goal is to scale women-owned businesses from micro to small and from small to medium-sized operations.
At the heart of the programme is the GROW Loan facility, which provides affordable, revolving credit through participating financial institutions. Beyond financing, the project offers capacity building in financial literacy, business management, digital skills, and business growth strategies.
Beneficiaries also gain access to common-user manufacturing facilities, while mentorship, networking through Women Entrepreneurship Platforms (WEPs), and initiatives to tackle socio-cultural barriers form a strong support system.
Dr. Ruth Aisha Biyinzika Kasolo, a key advocate of women’s economic empowerment, says the GROW Loan is a powerful tool for structural transformation. “The GROW Loan is not just about giving women access to capital.
It is about building confidence, unlocking potential, and enabling women to enter and thrive in sectors previously considered off-limits. Its transformative power lies in the holistic support it provides — from skills to networks — which allows women entrepreneurs to compete, grow, and lead,” she notes.
Kansiime’s portifolio shoots up to sh300 million
One of the beneficiaries is Irene Kansiime, 41, a real estate agent based in Kisimu Barracks, Katooke-Nabweru, in Kampala’s Nansana Division. Inspired by her sister, Kansiime ventured into the male-dominated real estate sector five years ago, starting modestly with a single plot of land measuring 50ft by 50ft in Nabweru, which she bought for Shs1 million and sold at a profit.
Kansiime’s hotel
Over time, her business expanded steadily, growing to a turnover of Shs300 million. “I now own land in several places, including Kiti, Watuuba, Nabweru, and Kagoma,” she says.
Until recently, Kansiime had never taken a loan to expand her enterprise. However, after seeing GROW Loan advertisements on television and social media, she applied through Centenary Bank and secured a Shs30 million loan at a 10% interest rate, repayable over two years.
Venturing into Sauna
The financing enabled her to diversify her investments by setting up a sauna and steam bath at her hotel in Kagoma, adding a new revenue stream to her portfolio. She plans to apply for another loan once she completes repayment, underscoring the revolving nature of the facility.
Kansiime’s story reflects a broader shift driven by the GROW Project — one in which women are no longer confined to traditional sectors but are confidently entering high-value industries, reshaping perceptions, and driving inclusive economic growth across Uganda.
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