Monitor, partners launch raising woman business expo
L-R: NMG Uganda MD Tony Glencross, UIA's investment executive in charge of SMEs Ms Ida Dean Rwego, Ms Victoria Byenkya, dfcu Bank's manager women in business, Sarah Nalule, NMG Uganda marketing manager, Dr Gudula Naiga Basaza, the chairlady dfcu women in business and Mr Eria Kaweireku, acting director SME division pose for a photo at hotel Triangle in Kampala yesterday, 7th November 2018 during the rising women training. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
What you need to know:
- Since its launch in July, the Raising Women Initiative has held a couple of trainings for women entrepreneurs in; Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja and currently in Kampala at Hotel Triangle, reaching over 650 women.
Monitor Publications Limited, in partnership with Dfcu and Uganda Investment Authority on Wednesday launched the Raising Woman business Expo scheduled for November 16 – 17, 2018 at the People’s space, Hotel Africana.
The Expo comes as part of the Rising Woman Initiative that was launched in July this year by the three partners under the theme: ‘Taking your business ahead’ that aimed at recognising and celebrating a culture of mentorship among women in business in Uganda.
Speaking at the launch of the Expo at Hotel Triangle on Wednesday, the Chairperson dfcu Women in Business Dr Gudula Naiga Basaza noted that: “This Expo will present an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services, network with one another, provide an ideal platform for exposure and get a test of where the market is for our different products and services.”
The Expo will host more than 100 women entrepreneurs engaged in trade, Agri business, value addition, professional services among others.
According to Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2017, 34.8 percent of businesses in Uganda are owned by women. Women however face challenges like limited access to information, access and cost of credit, lack of exposure for their businesses, lack of market for their products and more.
Mr Tony Glencross, the Managing Director Nation Media Group Uganda emphasised NMG’s commitment to supporting women growth.
“It is our role as NMG to provide platforms for businesses to showcase what they do. The Expo provides an experiential way of doing the same and we are so proud of the Raising Women who continue to exhibit impeccable business skills in a tough market. We acknowledge you and commit to supporting your growth,” he said.
Mr Basil Ajer, Acting Executive Director – Uganda Investment Authority also noted that the Ugandan government wishes all investors to have improved access to markets and the Expo is a way of providing exposure for products and to help improve and boost product visibility for micro business owners.
Background
Since its launch in July, the Raising Women Initiative has held a couple of trainings for women entrepreneurs in; Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja and currently in Kampala at Hotel Triangle, reaching over 650 women.
As part of the same initiative, women entrepreneurs were invited to submit business proposals for a chance to win cash prizes. 85 proposals were screened, 20 vetted and 10 of these will be awarded at the awards dinner slated for November 16 at Hotel Africana where the top three will be awarded Shs15million, 10million and 5million respectively and the remaining seven, a fully paid business trip to Nairobi Kenya.
