Monitor, partners launch women business expo

Motivational. Left to Right: Ms Victoria Byenkya, the manager of women in business at dfcu Bank, Ms Elizabeth Namaganda, the head of marketing in Nation Media Group(NMG)-Uganda, Ms Rukh-Shana Namuyimba, the communications manager at dfcu and Mr David Jonathan Sentongo, the brand executive from NMG, during the launch of the business expo at Hotel Africana yesterday. PHOTO BY KELVIN ATUHAIRE

What you need to know:

  • The manager of dfcu women in business, Ms Victoria Byenkya, said this expo is a space for women to showcase their business to a wider market, as well as, network with our business people.

Monitor Publications Limited, in partnership with dfcu Bank and Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) yesterday launched the Rising Woman business expo scheduled for November 16 and 17, at the People’s Space, Hotel Africana.

The expo comes as part of the Rising Woman Initiative that was launched in June by the three partners under the theme: ‘Taking your business ahead’ that is aimed at recognising and celebrating a culture of mentorship among women in business in Uganda.
The manager of dfcu women in business, Ms Victoria Byenkya, said this expo is a space for women to showcase their business to a wider market, as well as, network with our business people.

“This expo is there for women to exhibit what they have at a free cost,” she said.
She added that this is a fundamental step on the path to creating a financially-enabling environment for female entrepreneurs.

“Majority of the women are faced with problems which they think are huge, but for us we released they are not, so that is why we created this initiative to help women take their business ahead. We train, coach and provide spaces for networking to help them rise,” Ms Byenkya said.

The expo will host 150 women entrepreneurs engaged in trade, agri business, value-addition, professional services, among others.
Ms Elizabeth Namaganda, the Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG) head of marketing, emphasised NMG’s commitment to supporting women growth.

“As NMG we shall keep pushing up women because we believe they are the unsung heroes. We shall be profiling women in business in all our media platforms and mostly in the Full Woman magazine for Daily Monitor.” Ms Namaganda said.

She added that the expo is another of the series of events that will be held every year in addition to educating and training women.

Mr James Kawooya, a trainer from UIA, said the two-day training will equip women with various business skills.
“We are here to help the women understand their business needs and how to grow it. Today we looked at business marketing, we shall also look at record keeping, how to manage finances and many others,” Mr Kawooya said.

Rising woman
Beneficiaries. Since its launch in June, the Rising Woman Initiative has held trainings for women entrepreneurs in Gulu, Mbale and Ishaka and currently in Kampala, reaching out to more than 1,000 women.

Inspiring move. The initiative, now in its second year, is to inspire aspiring or current women entrepreneurs and investors to scale up the heights in chosen enterprises.

The initiative includes tailored regional trainings, proposal writing on winning business ideas, a business expo and an award ceremony to recognise the best business plans.

Awards. The top three winners will, in descending order get Shs15m, Shs10m and Shs5m, respectively.
All 10 top proposal writers get an all-expenses-paid study tour to Nairobi, Kenya.