Busoga Kingdom will work closely with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and other like-minded stakeholders to deliver transformation and prosperity for its people and the country at large.
This follows the public endorsement of PSFU works in Busoga region by both the Kyabazinga and the Inhebantu.
While delivering messages from both the King and the Queen at the 2024 PSFU Women’s Day Katale held at the Dam Waters Rugby Ground in Jinja City from 15th to 17th March, Owek Osman Ahmed Noor, the Busoga Kingdom Second Deputy Prime Minister (Katukiiro), expressed the kingdom’s commitment to fostering partnerships with PSFU for the betterment of its people.
In his remarks, Owek Osman Ahmed Noor said: “I am pleased to announce that His Majesty has endorsed the partnership between Busoga Kingdom and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda. He has encouraged us to proceed with engaging you to explore how we can advance discussions to benefit our people through the Inhebantu.”
He added: “To further these engagements, we are going to sign an MOU with PSFU so that we can directly mobilize our people and enlighten them on what is required to benefit from the available opportunities. We are trying to transform the Kingdom to be both cultural and private sector driven. I am here to pledge our support as an institution that we are going to work with PSFU. I now call upon the people of Busoga to be ready and well prepared to benefit from this partnership,” he said.
The three-days PSFU Women’s Day Katale brought together more than 200 Exhibitors; majority being women-founded and women-led businesses. Held under the theme “Bridging Economic Divides for Women’s Prosperity,” the Katale was supported by Young Africa Works (YAW) Lead Firm Structure program that is implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Ms Sarah Kagingo, the PSFU Vice Chairperson noted that minus the Women’s Day Katale, Busoga based businesses are set to benefit from other programs that the organization and partners are implementing such as Lead Firm Structure (LFS), Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW), Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) and Catalytic Fund.
She noted that the key highlights from the Jinja edition included the Business Clinics conducted by Trade Facilitation Agencies, Panel Sessions that sought to address challenges affecting Women and the Kreative Village; where leaders in the art, culture, music and fashion sector met and freely interacted with industry stakeholders drawn from all over Busoga region.
While closing the 2024 Katale, Hon Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister commended PSFU for the initiative.
“I want to thank Mastercard Foundation for the support they have given to the young people to develop their capacity. I am also really happy that the PSFU has decided to leave their comfort zone in Kampala and come to support entrepreneurs in Busoga region,” Kadaga said.
On her part, Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Resident Representative for Uganda said that women entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in national development and thus must be prioritized.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the PSFU for inviting me to witness firsthand, your dedication, energy, and commitment to the fight for equality and women’s economic advancement. Women world over, have increasingly made significant contributions to economic, political, and social transformation. Despite strides made in narrowing gender disparities, particularly in leadership and political engagement, substantial gaps persist in areas such as education, employment and economic participation.”
Permanent PSFU Office in Jinja.
Meanwhile, PSFU CEO, Mr Stephen Asiimwe noted that the Busoga region boasts some of the world’s finest tourist attractions which if well marketed can catalyze the region’s development. He announced that ‘to explore these and more opportunities, Jinja will soon host a permanent PSFU office’ to foster partnerships and mutual prosperity for the region.
“For anyone considering investment opportunities, Busoga stands out as the prime destination. PSFU eagerly extends its hand to collaborate with you, offering support for your growth endeavors. Our intention is to establish a liaison office managed in conjunction with our partner, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA). This office will serve as a platform for representation across various sectors, including trade, manufacturing, ICT, financial services, professional services, tourism, and hospitality, as well as creative spaces,” he said.
Aligned with International Women’s Day celebrations, the Katale is an annual event that acknowledges the significant contributions and potential of women and girls as entrepreneurs. The third ‘Katale’ built on the success of the previous editions held in Luweero and Kampala in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
