The government under the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development on Thursday handed out Shs 43billions to the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) with hope to address the challenges women face in undertaking economically viable enterprises.
UWEP was first declared by the President in March 2015 during the International Women’s Day in Kabale district. In February last year at the Uganda media center it was launched by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and given 3billions for the start.
The program has been dubbed a lifeline initiative by the Government of Uganda to not only improve women’s access to financial services but also equip them with skills for enterprise growth, value addition and marketing of their products and services.
The women shall be availed interest-free credit to initiate or strengthen their enterprises. Upon payback, the money will be extended to other women and the sequence will continue in that revolving modus.
Speaking at a workshop organized by the Ministry of Gender at Grand on Thursday in Kampala, Brenda Kafuko the National Coordinator UWEP stressed that when women are targeted for development, the entire nation is targeted.
In Uganda, women are constrained by limited access to affordable credit as they attempt to start and grow their own enterprises. They earn less than their male counterparties with 31% of women financially excluded compared to 28% of men in the formal sector.
The workshop was attended by local leaders mainly from the central region, while many other meetings will be held in all the other regions to disseminate information on the Programme to key stakeholders that include District Political and Administrative Leaders and Technical Staff from all 116 Districts and 41 Municipalities in the country.
During the meeting at Grand Imperial Hotel, the stakeholders expressed concern on what will be done to ensure that the program attracts as many women as possible. These were advised to personally drum support for the program.
At the event, the Gender Minister Hon Peace Mutuzo warned the leaders against trying to embezzle the program funds, stressing that accountability will have to be followed to the dot.
“I encourage all women to join this program with vigor. Once you borrow the money the first one year is will be interest free and the next years you will have to pay a small interest. Please be truthful as you borrow and pay back the money. Most people don’t want to pay back government money” Hon Mutuzo said.