An instructor taking through some of the trainees baking lessons. Photos by Sharon Akello
By Sharon Akello
Lira: In refugee host districts in Northern Uganda where challenges sometimes overshadow opportunities, women continue to face hardships in contributing to household income.
Several of these women usually engage in businesses such as tailoring, hairdressing, and other economic activities that bring immediate returns.
Now, the government has started enrolling women and single mothers in a program that will not only upgrade their skills in tailoring and hairdressing but other skills such as making soap and baking.
With funding from the World Bank through the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, and the Private Sector Foundation, the initiative Generating Growth Opportunities for Women (GROW) is being implemented by Northern Uganda Women’s Network for Business Development (NUWEBIZ).
The GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment, and create more jobs.
The shs805b World Bank grant intervention delivered through the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development was launched in Kampala in June 2023. It is expected to transform the lives of these young women and their communities.
Apparently, there are 300 women from refugee hosting districts like Lamwo, Arua, and Adjumani undergoing training in Lira City. The training which will last for three months, started two weeks ago.
Sharon Okello Nagenjwa, the executive director of NUWEBIZ Foundation, said the beneficiaries are being given hands-on training in different fields.
“It is important to equip them with the right skills in their line business for them to make quality products, which will in turn grow their market for profitability,” Nagenjwa said.
Upon completion of the program, a new cohort will be enrolled to ensure a continuous cycle of skill development and opportunity for women in the region.
“The project will not only address the immediate need for economic empowerment among women in refugee host districts but also underscores the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and non-profit organizations in driving positive change,” she added.
Okello believes that by investing in the skills and potential of women, NUWEBIZ Foundation and its partners are not only transforming individual lives but also laying the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities.
Beneficiaries speak out
Gertrude Enzia, from Madi-Okollo District in the West Nile Region, is among the 300 women currently undertaking a training session to make quality products.
Enzia, who started her tailoring career in 2004, said the sewing machines she acquired not only enabled her to acquire vocational skills but also provided her with economic independence.
She later saved money from her tailoring business and set up a small training center for young girls who joined the course and have become agents of change.
Ensia also bought land and built a residential house using the earnings from her tailoring business.
She joined the Grow program to upgrade her skills and give her products a professional touch.
“Though I started it [tailoring] a long time ago, I felt there is something that does not impress my customers. So as I have come here, I know I am going to get more knowledge and when I go back I will impress my customers,” Ensia explained.
Flavia Ageno, a resident of Palabek Sub-county in Lamwo District started her tailoring course in 2018, when she lost her father and couldn’t further her studies.
“I then decided to pursue a tailoring course which has enabled me to support my family,” Ageno said.
Ageno is optimistic that after this training, she will be more comfortable and more independent.
Gov’t plans to support women entrepreneurs
Alex Asiimwe, the commissioner of Labor, industrial relations, and productivity in the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, said the government intends to construct a multi-purpose common user production facility for women entrepreneurs in all regions.
For instance for the Lango Sub-region, the facility to be built in Lira City will serve all the 10 districts including Amolatar, Alebtong, Apac, Kwania, Oyam, Kole, Dokolo, Otuke, Lira, and Lira City.
