More than 30,000 low-income women entrepreneurs across the Busoga sub-region are set to benefit from affordable financing, business development support and digital financial services under a new partnership between the Busoga Kingdom, the Gates Foundation and Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL).
Launched at the Busoga Kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, the Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Programme seeks to address one of the biggest barriers facing women-owned nano and micro enterprises—limited access to affordable credit and business support.
The initiative combines financing with entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, digital skills development, mentorship, insurance, savings solutions and market linkages to help women establish sustainable businesses and improve household incomes.
The partnership leverages the Busoga Kingdom's community mobilisation network, the Gates Foundation's expertise in advancing financial inclusion, and Stanbic's financial services and enterprise development capabilities through Stanbic Bank Uganda and the Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL).
Representing the Kyabazinga , the Katukiro (Prime Minister) of Busoga Kingdom, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, said empowering women entrepreneurs is critical to Uganda's social and economic transformation.
"When you empower a woman economically, you uplift an entire family and strengthen the community. Many women work tirelessly to support their households yet continue to face barriers in accessing finance and business opportunities," the Kyabazinga said in a message delivered by Dr. Muvawala.
"This partnership gives them the tools, knowledge and confidence to build sustainable enterprises and improve their livelihoods. We commend the Gates Foundation and Stanbic for joining hands with the Busoga Kingdom to transform lives through economic empowerment."
Dr. Muvawala said the programme complements government efforts to improve livelihoods by combining affordable financing with practical business development support.
"Access to capital alone is not enough. Entrepreneurs also need skills, mentorship and market opportunities to build resilient businesses. This partnership addresses those needs in an integrated way, creating lasting economic opportunities for women and their families," he said.
Women own and operate thousands of Uganda's micro and small enterprises, particularly in the informal economy. However, many remain excluded from formal financial systems due to limited collateral, low financial literacy and inadequate access to financial products tailored to their needs. The programme aims to bridge this gap by providing an integrated pathway from financial inclusion to enterprise growth.
Speaking on behalf of Stanbic Bank Uganda, Stephen Segujja, Head of the Economic Enterprise Restart Fund (EERF), said the initiative reflects the bank's commitment to expanding economic opportunities for underserved communities.
"At Stanbic, we believe economic inclusion is one of the most powerful drivers of sustainable development. Through this partnership, women entrepreneurs will gain access not only to affordable financing, but also to the business skills, digital capabilities and market connections they need to grow resilient enterprises."
"We are investing in businesses that will create jobs, strengthen communities and contribute to Uganda's long-term prosperity," Segujja said.
He noted that the programme builds on Stanbic's experience in enterprise development. Through the Economic Enterprise Restart Fund, the bank mobilised USD 40 million in partnerships and extended more than shs370 billion in financing to over 8,000 SACCOs.
Additionally, the bank's Stanbic For Her programme has supported more than 10,000 women entrepreneurs with over shs200 billion in financing, complemented by financial literacy, governance support, bookkeeping and market access initiatives.
Segujja added that the Women's Economic Empowerment Programme contributes to Stanbic's broader Positive Impact Agenda, under which the bank has committed to mobilise up to shs1 trillion through strategic partnerships supporting women, youth and farmers.
Speaking on behalf of Stanbic Business Incubator Limited, Chief Executive Catherine Poran said enterprise development would be central to the programme's long-term impact.
"Access to finance creates opportunity, but enterprise development sustains it. Our role is to equip women entrepreneurs with practical business skills, financial management capabilities, digital literacy and mentorship so they can build businesses that create jobs, increase household incomes and contribute meaningfully to Uganda's economy."
One of the beneficiaries, Safinah Namukose, a trader from Buwenge, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for women seeking to expand their businesses.
"Many women have the determination to succeed but lack affordable financing and the skills to expand their businesses. This programme gives us hope that more women will be able to improve their incomes, support their families and create opportunities for others."
As Stanbic Bank Uganda marks 35 years of driving Uganda's socio-economic transformation, the partnership highlights the growing role of public-private collaboration in expanding financial inclusion and unlocking the economic potential of women entrepreneurs.
The partners believe the Women's Economic Empowerment Programme can serve as a scalable model for accelerating women's enterprise development and inclusive economic growth across Uganda.
