By Our Reporter
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has taken a major step toward enhancing women’s economic empowerment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with nine Common User Production Facilities (CUPFs) under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
The nine organisations which signed MOUs with government include Finn Church Aid Uganda (FCA), Okere Community Development Project (Okere City), Wend Africa (Women Empowerment Network Design), Namalu Farmers Produce and Cooperative Society Limited, Kiruhura Women Entrepreneurs in Ghee Processing (KWEG), Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Alter, The Innovation Village Hub, Airo Cassava Growers & Processors Association and Kiyindi Women Fish Processors Association.
The initiative is designed to provide gender-inclusive infrastructure services to women entrepreneurs across Uganda.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Apollo Onzoma, Assistant Commissioner of Industrial Relations at the Ministry, highlighted the performance-based nature of the grants tied to the project.
“I believe you have been given enough time to read and internalize these contracts to see what is expected of you in order to receive the grants. My humble request is to ensure that the money advanced to you is used exactly for the purpose indicated in your proposals,” Onzoma said. “My technical team will continuously monitor your progress to support you and ensure the funds are applied correctly.”
Onzoma also revealed that the nine organizations currently receiving support are part of a pilot phase, with a total of 200 additional grants set to be distributed following the evaluation of other proposals.
The MoU formalizes collaboration between the Ministry and CUPFs, which will offer shared production spaces, equipment, and value-addition infrastructure tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This partnership is expected to reduce operational costs, improve productivity, and strengthen women-owned enterprises’ participation in value chains and markets.
“This first cohort of Common User Production Facilities has been selected to ensure geographic inclusivity and alignment with the key trades and enterprise sectors where women are most active,” the Ministry noted. “The infrastructure support provided will respond directly to the economic realities, production patterns, and business opportunities of women entrepreneurs in different regions of Uganda.”
The GROW Project is part of the Government of Uganda’s broader agenda to increase access to entrepreneurial services that promote the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses. Through initiatives such as these, women entrepreneurs are expected to gain practical support that addresses longstanding barriers, including limited access to production spaces, equipment, and business-enabling infrastructure.
“Access to gender-responsive infrastructure is essential for unlocking the full potential of women entrepreneurs and accelerating enterprise growth,” the Ministry emphasized.
The partnership underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable interventions that provide tangible support for women in business while strengthening national economic development.
