Women entrepreneurs in Ibanda District have taken a significant step toward formalising their businesses after undergoing intensive training in good manufacturing and hygiene practices aimed at meeting certification standards set by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards.
The one-day training, held at the district headquarters on Friday, brought together at least seven women’s groups under the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme. Participants were equipped with practical skills in product development and quality management—key requirements for certification and entry into competitive markets.
The UWEP Focal Point Person in Ibanda District, Leticia Ahimbisibwe, said the training addresses a long-standing barrier that has limited women entrepreneurs from scaling up their businesses.
“Many of these groups already have quality products, but they have been locked out of bigger markets due to lack of certification,” Ahimbisibwe explained. “This training is timely because it gives them the knowledge and confidence to meet the required standards.”
Officials noted that the training will be followed by on-site coaching sessions at the women’s workplaces to ensure proper application of the skills ahead of UNBS audits.
The WEEG-UWEP Programme Team Leader, Jimmy Byaruhanga, emphasised that certification is critical for unlocking broader market opportunities.
“This initiative is not just about compliance, but about positioning these women to access both local and international markets,” Byaruhanga said. “Certification opens doors for business growth and sustainability.”
The training was conducted under the Women Economic Empowerment for the Green Transformation (WEEG) Project, implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Beneficiaries welcomed the initiative, describing it as a turning point for their enterprises.
“We now understand what is required to improve our products and reach bigger markets,” one participant said. “This knowledge will help us grow our businesses and increase our incomes.”
Launched in the 2015/2016 financial year, UWEP aims to empower women economically by enhancing their income-generating capacity and contribution to national development.
The ongoing WEEG project is targeting more than 600 women’s groups across the country, with a focus on green enterprises, job creation, and improved working conditions.
The Ibanda training marks another milestone in efforts to uplift women entrepreneurs and integrate them into Uganda’s formal economy.
