Private Sector Foundation Uganda, the umbrella body for private sector players has highlighted its commitment to working closely with the Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) to transform the music industry.
Speaking at the 2024 Uganda Performing Right Society (UPRS) Annual General Meeting held at the URSB Auditorium, Mr. Daniel Kazibwe aka Ragga Dee, the PSFU Board Member representing Creatives and also a legendary musician noted that PSFU aims to catalyze the creative sector to create work opportunities for young people. He mentioned that they are doing this through several initiatives such as National Start-Up Policy.
“PSFU has played a significant role in supporting the development of the National Startup Policy, which addresses challenges in the creative industry, particularly those faced by the Uganda Performing Rights Society (UPRS) and other stakeholders. This policy encourages startups to innovate and collaborate, which UPRS can leverage to develop new strategies for efficient royalty collection and distribution, such as Song Boost,” Mr. Kazibwe said, adding;
“The policy requires startups to allocate at least 30% of their budget to R&D, encouraging UPRS to partner with tech startups to create advanced systems for tracking and managing royalties. It also emphasizes stakeholder consultations, helping UPRS engage more effectively with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Rural Broadcasters Union (RUB) to find mutually beneficial solutions.”
Additionally, Mr. Apollo Muyanja Mbazzira, the PSFU LFS Project Director noted that minus the National Start-Up Policy, they have other initiatives that directly benefit the Creative industry. These include the Lead Firm Structure (LFS), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation that targets to create more than 300,000 jobs dignified and fulfilling jobs for Youth and Women. The other initiative is the PSFU Youth Engagement Strategy that aims at increasing the Youth participation in private sector initiatives.
Mr. Muyanja urged musicians to unite for the good of the industry and collaborate more as this is one sure way of attaining success and winning more support.
On his part, Mr. Sam Okello, the UPRS chairman noted that as UPRS, they continue to engage their members, foster collaborations and digitizing their services to meet the twenty first century requirements. He noted that their regulator – URSB, is working with other government agencies to fast track the realization and implementation of the copyright law as it is a sure win for all content creators.
Meanwhile, Mr Meddie Kaggwa, the UCC Head of Multi-Media and Content challenged content creators to create more content but with proper guidelines on what market segment they are targeting.
“We are engaging the stakeholders on adequate classification of content so that there are proper consumption ratings. We are engaging broadcasters and parents too on what content should be aired and viewed when.”
In an exhilarating development for the financial technology sector, HiPipo has been crowned the Most Innovative Financial Inclusion Organization for the Middle East and Africa at the prestigious FinTech Awards 2024, hosted by Wealth & Finance International. This accolade recognizes our past achievements and our future endeavours in global financial innovation.
Through our social media announcement, we shared the joy of this achievement: “We are honoured to receive this global recognition, which is proof to our dedicated team, our generous sponsors like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and robust partnerships with key stakeholders including the Ministry of ICT, Infitx, Mojaloop, and Comesa Business Council. This award reflects our commitment to digital and financial innovation and excellence.”
Our triumph follows a series of accolades, having been named Best Financial Inclusion Organization consecutively in 2022 and 2023. Notably, in 2022, HiPipo stood out as the only African company on Global Business Leaders Magazine’s list of the world’s top 20 innovators in digital financial services.
Adding to our celebration, our very own CEO, Innocent Kawooya, has been distinguished as the FinTech CEO of the Year 2024 for the Middle East and Africa. His visionary leadership continues to drive HiPipo’s mission of ‘Including Everyone’ in the digital financial narrative, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fast-evolving financial landscape.
Our journey from a promising regional innovator to a celebrated global leader in financial inclusion exemplifies our mission to harness technology for community empowerment. We are more than just a company; we are a movement that champions the inclusion of all, mainly focusing on the underserved and marginalised communities across Africa and beyond.
As we look to the future, HiPipo remains committed to pushing the boundaries of financial technology to create accessible, efficient, and inclusive financial ecosystems. We are excited to continue this journey, ensuring that our innovations lead to awards and, more importantly, to impactful, sustainable change.
Stakeholders have committed to continue supporting women and girls in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as this is a sure way of driving economic growth.
Speaking at the Leading Education and Trade Transformation in Girls and Women event organized by the Commonwealth Business Women Africa (CBWA) Uganda chapter and held at Kitante Primary School, Kampala, Hon. Baroness Sandip Verma – a Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom noted that underrepresentation of women in STEM continues to be a major issue that requires collective affirmative action from all stakeholders. She acknowledged that even though a lot of positives have been observed in the recent past, more effort is needed for full inclusion to be achieved.
Women continue to face significant barriers to education and trade. In Uganda for example; only 53 per cent of girls complete primary school, compared to 63 per cent of boys, Women account for only 37 per cent STEM professionals, Women make up only 35 per cent of entrepreneurs, despite comprising about 52 per cent of the population (Source: World Bank) and Women-owned businesses face significant barriers including limited access to financing, limited access to training, and limited access to business networks.
According to Amb. Damali Ssali, the Ideation Corner Founder and also United Nations Women Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO) Ambassador for Uganda, the “Leading Education and Trade Transformation in Girls and Women” event is a testament to stakeholders’ collective commitment to empowering girls and women, through education and entrepreneurship.
“I am happy to note that initiatives, offered by the Common-Wealth Business- Women Africa, such as the One Million Girls Coding Program and the Online Trade Centre Platform, aim to bridge this gap and provide opportunities for girls and women to succeed. It is only by empowering women and girls, through education and entrepreneurship, that we will be able to unlock their potential and drive economic growth,” Damali Ssali said, adding;
“We at the Ideation Corner, strongly believe in the power of innovation and entrepreneurship, to transform lives and communities. Through our platform, we provide resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to entrepreneurs, especially women, to help them to being their ideas to life and scale their businesses. Our mission is to create a community where entrepreneurs can share ideas, learn from each other, and access resources, to overcome challenges. We aim to bridge the gap in access to funding, mentorship, and business networking for women entrepreneurs. And I am happy to announce that we will be holding our third Women Entrepreneurship Celebration on 5 July 2024, here in Kampala.”
One Million Girls Coding Program.
The event attracted several dignitaries, ICT stakeholders, and Women Inclusion champions such as Dr Maggie Kigozi, Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi – Founder Club Tangaza, Flavia Eleanor Kasenge – COO Ezeemoney, Sandra Kirenga – Economist & Trade Expert, Anna Nambooze – TradeMark Africa Country Director for Uganda & South Sudan and His Worship Salim Uhuru – KCCA Central Division Mayor.
As part of its commitment to supporting Women in STEM, CBWA is also spearheading the One Million Girls Coding Program across Africa. In Uganda, this coding program is already being implemented by selected schools such as Mt. St. Mary’s College, Namagunga.
The girls coding community was represented by Club Code XX from Mt. St. Mary’s College, Namagunga. The club showcased some of its ICT innovations and also participated in the panel discussions. Other schools present included Kitante Primary and Kitante Secondary School.
According to Emily Sonia Nakabuye, a founding member of Club Code XX, Namagunga, girls in STEM continue to be challenged with multifaceted issues including limited support, absence of proper mentorship, resources and guidance.
“We have taken part in a lot of competitions and won several. So as students, we win competitions, get prize money and either use it individually or as a school. But what next after this prize money is spent up. There are no proper support systems to ensure the fully actualization of these competition winning ideas and prototypes. To us students, it is somewhat demoralizing to go for competitions and the ideas die out there. As future leaders, we need dedicated support to realize our dreams.”
Nonetheless, Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi, the Founder of Club Tangaza – a coding school for Children, Youth and Beginners, noted that even though women are still underrepresented in STEM, there are positive signs of inclusion with more women now having a chance to take up STEM courses and use the knowledge gained to empower other women and transform their communities.
Twenty-Five Graduates were last week tipped on how to have successful careers, following their completion of the Women Creating Wealth (WCW) courses.
While delivering a keynote address at the 2024 Graça Machel Trust (GMT / the Trust) WCW graduation held at Makerere University Business School Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre, Kampala, Amb. Damali Ssali, the Ideation Corner Founder and also the Women Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO) Ambassador for Uganda noted that women still face significant barriers to economic participation thus a need to prepare for the tasks ahead.
“This Women Creating Wealth program is critical as it offers a platform for women to grow, to learn, and to thrive. To you our dear graduates, I take this opportunity to share with you some of the lessons that I have learnt along the way; some of you may already know these lessons, in which case please take them as a reminder,” Amb. Ssali noted.
She explained that to have successful careers, the graduates need to recognize and embrace their uniqueness, build a support networks, be confident and assertive, embrace failure and learn from it, be resilient and be persistent, collaborate and leverage their business networks, use their voices and platforms to empower others, prioritize themselves, celebrate their successes and stay true to your vision and values.
“As you move forward, please remember that your success is not just about personal achievement; it has a ripple effect. Today marks a significant milestone in your journey, but it is only the beginning. Go forth, make your mark, and never forget the power of your potential.”
The Women Creating Wealth (WCW) is GMT’s flagship entrepreneurship programme constituting a comprehensive initiative that delves into critical elements such as growth mindset, agency, personal mastery, and leadership.
To achieve its women empowerment goals, WCW has partnered with other reputable organizations such as the Visa Foundation (WCW Africa Firestarters), Mastercard Foundation (WCW I), African Development Bank (WCW Know Find and Grow Your Money, Industrial Development Corporation (WCW Consumer Education), FASSET (WCW Women in Finance) and the European Union (WCW Agricultural Value Chains).
The 25 graduates from this program benefited from online learning Ignite course, mentoring and coaching sessions, peer to peer leaning and investor readiness technical assistance under the Africa Firestarters program.
In 2015, the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) study under the HiPipo Include Everyone program revealed a lack of corporate websites among 59% of Uganda’s top 1,000 taxpayers. This absence resulted in higher operational costs and reduced profitability.
However, since then, digital transformation, mainly through corporate websites and online presence, has shown substantial benefits in reducing costs and enhancing customer service. It is important to note that HiPipo’s sustained advocacy, with the support and collaboration of partners and stakeholders, has played a crucial role in advocating for digital innovation, leading to this transformation and continuing to drive digital and financial inclusion across economies.
The financial impact on customers of Uganda’s top 1,000 taxpayers is staggering. They save approximately $1,995,000 daily through digital tools. Over ten years since 2014, this figure has scaled to a monumental $7.28 billion, accentuating the substantial financial benefits of digital adoption. This is a clear testament to the potential for further growth and success through digital transformation.
Digital adoption has led to tangible operational efficiency. Customers can find the information they need online and interact with service providers in real-time. Each online interaction saves customers an average of 30 minutes, and customers of these organisations save approximately 1.5 million hours daily. This boosts organisational efficiency and profitability, aligning with broader economic growth, and stresses the tangible benefits of digital innovation, instilling confidence in the future of digital transformation.
The 2015 HiPipo study highlighted the need for more corporate websites and online presence among Uganda’s top taxpayers. This absence hindered cost reduction, improved service delivery, and customer loyalty. The landscape has changed meaningfully since then, thanks to the ongoing HiPipo’s advocacy with partners.
Today, approximately three million online interactions occur every day among the 1,000 organisations, and each interaction saves an average of 30 minutes, leading to a daily time savings of around 1.5 million hours and a financial impact of approximately $1,995,000. The weekly online interaction count reaches at least twenty-one million, saving approximately 10.5 million hours and generating a financial impact of about $14M. The monthly online interaction count reaches approximately 90 million, saving around 45 million hours and leading to an economic impact of approximately $60M. These figures highlight the efficiency gains and financial benefits of digital transformation to Uganda’s business and financial sectors.
Over a year, these organisations facilitate at least 1 billion online interactions, saving approximately 547.5 million hours and resulting in an economic impact of around $728M. Over a decade, since 2014, these organisations have handled an estimated 11 billion online interactions, saving around 5.475 billion hours, with a financial impact of approximately $7.28 billion.
This usage has far-reaching impacts on enterprises and governments. For instance, digital adoption aligns with national economic growth goals by reducing business costs and increasing customer convenience and profitability. This trend benefits small, micro, nano, SMEs, and individuals running businesses. Effective, flexible policies become more urgent as governments should support digital innovation through favourable policies, recognising its impact on national competitiveness.
The findings of this paper suggest that even more attention should be paid to this effect. We plan to run subsequent surveys covering digital tools and financial services, exploring their combined time-saving and economic growth impact. HiPipo’s advocacy has driven digital innovation in East Africa and beyond for nearly two decades. Thanks to this advocacy, similar outcomes have occurred across different East African economies, just like the current Ugandan outcomes. Through initiatives like the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA), HiPipo has highlighted the transformative potential of technology-based solutions, contributing to enhanced efficiency and economic growth among Uganda’s top taxpayers, SMEs, micro, nano, SHFs, and millions of merchants.
This paper further outlines the telecommunications landscape in Uganda as of March 2023. During this period, the average data consumption for Ugandan telecom subscribers was 1.7GB per month. Over the past two years, data expenditure has decreased by 6%. Internet subscriptions have grown by 1.2 million, reaching 27 million, due to the increasing access to the internet through mobile devices. These mobile devices comprise 39.1 million of the devices accessing Uganda’s telecom network, 21% of which are smart devices.
This paper notes that women, especially in urban areas, are leveraging digital tools to save time and money. However, using digital tools needs to extend to off-grid locations where access to power and energy remains challenging. Women are more likely to be employed in lower-paying jobs and sectors, particularly in developing economies like Uganda, where a weighty portion of the population earning less than 115 USD is female. Therefore, access to digital services should be equal for both genders to ensure inclusive economic development. Access should also be accelerated among youth, women and men to help them find more avenues to improve their income. Digital technologies can impact job opportunities for underrepresented women in the tech industry. Understanding customer demographics can help organisations tailor their services to meet gender needs better. Digital innovation can contribute to broader economic empowerment, which may benefit women in specific sectors or communities where they have been disadvantaged.
The report recommends that leaders prioritise digital presence and recognise its importance in enhancing efficiency, profitability, and economic growth. This includes investing in high-value corporate websites, content and digital channels to improve customer engagement and reduce operational costs. Leaders must focus on mobile platforms as mobile is increasingly the primary channel for digital access in Africa. Enterprises should prioritise responsive, mobile-friendly websites and apps to meet customer needs.
Mobile connectivity is vital in developing individuals and economies, accelerating financial inclusion and creating an inclusive economy that benefits all. This, in turn, leads to the advancement of nations, particularly in terms of economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation. The widespread availability of mobile connectivity has enabled individuals, even those in remote areas, to access financial services and participate in the global economy. Moreover, mobile technology has enabled individuals to engage in financial transactions without the need for traditional financial institutions, thereby promoting financial inclusion and reducing the cost of financial services. The result is a more equitable and inclusive economy that benefits everyone, regardless of socio-economic status.
The report highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity to build customer confidence and trust and ensure safe digital interactions. Digital transformation comes with security challenges, and solutions must be secure, competitive, and universal, essential for sustainable and inclusive growth. Continuous improvement, such as updating the National Information Security Frameworks, is necessary. Partnering with experts like Cyberplc to support all security architecture and technical security assurance domains, such as risk identification, network security, data protection, identity management, posture and vulnerability management, logging, and threat detection, is vital. Regularly evaluating and improving digital strategies is necessary to stay aligned with evolving technological trends and consumer expectations.
The Ideation Corner Foundation has officially kicked off the annual Women Entrepreneurship Celebrations that will climax in a major activity in Kampala on July 5th, 2024.
Organized by the Ideation Corner Foundation in partnership with HiPipo and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO), the annual Women Entrepreneurship Celebrations recognize exceptional women entrepreneurs leading Uganda’s transformation. It gives young and upcoming women innovators an unparalleled chance to network with already established entrepreneurs, and also celebrate milestones that women founders and business leaders have accomplished over the years.
The inaugural Women Entrepreneurship Celebration was held in 2021 at the Stanbic Business Incubator, Kololo where up to 25 Women Entrepreneurs attended.
The second edition took a dinner theme held on December 17th, 2022 at Kampala Serena Hotel, attracting up to 50 Women Entrepreneurs who each had a chance to pitch their businesses, share experiences and mutually celebrate each other’s accomplishments.
“Over the past five years, the Ideation Corner has contributed to Uganda and Africa’s entrepreneurship success by offering young entrepreneurs free space to ideate, conceptualize, develop, fine-tune and turn their ideas into reality. We also support those already on the market with the much-required business development and management skills. During this period, we have interacted with over 1000 innovators, hosted more than 80 entrepreneurs on our podcasts, and featured up to 22 visionaries in our inaugural Ideation Corner book that was published in 2021,” Ambassador Damali Ssali, Founder Ideation Corner explained.
She added: “From our interaction with women entrepreneurs, we discovered that while a lot of effort continues to be channelled towards encouraging them to put their best foot forward, little or no effort is being channelled towards ‘looking back to appreciate the ride so far, celebrate the small milestones accomplished, network, re-energize and continue with the journey of transformation’. Many entrepreneurs invest a lot of resources, most of which are never recouped yet a token of appreciation, however small, would go a long way in reminding them that they are valued, and their contribution cherished.”
Building on the remarkable success of the first and second editions, the third Women Entrepreneurship Celebrations are set to be held on Friday 5th July 2024 in Kampala. The third edition is bigger and better as it will also cover 2023 which was missed.
Minus the main activity scheduled for July 5th, the 2024 celebrations will have other virtual and physical activities involving Women Entrepreneurs, project partners and supporters. A timeline of activities will be communicated in due course.
Decent Africa announces the appointment of Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Minister of State for Information Communication Technology, as the new patron of the organization. This partnership signifies a significant step towards fostering a culture of decency and respect across the African continent.
Hon. Ssebugwawo brings a wealth of leadership experience, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to decency and public service, making her an invaluable addition to Decent Africa. Her illustrious career in community mobilization, ICT, and visionary leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing initiatives that promote integrity, elegance, and impactful leadership among Africa’s prominent figures.
In her capacity as Patron, Hon. Ssebugwawo will play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of Decent Africa and expanding its outreach. Her expertise in decency and digital technologies perfectly aligns with the organization’s objectives to utilize digital media for broader societal impact and empower future generations through innovative educational and advocacy programs.
Decent Africa is confident that Hon. Ssebugwawo’s guidance will enhance its initiatives and extend its impact deeper into the community. The organization eagerly anticipates productive leadership and collaboration with Hon. Ssebugwawo as they continue to champion and uphold the values of decency and decorum across Africa.
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.
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is currently hosting the third edition of the Women’s Day Katale, showcasing more than 200 exhibitors and their products.
Held at the Dam Waters Rugby Ground in Jinja City, the event commenced yesterday, Friday 15th and will conclude tomorrow, Sunday 17th of March.
During the Creatives business clinic, Daniel Kazibwe (popularly known as Raga Dee), a board member representing arts and creatives at PSFU, advised young artists to maintain professional boundaries with their managers to avoid conflicts.
“If you are going to support this girl, she should not be your girlfriend. Do not mix business with pleasure. As a girl who wants to make it in the sector, create a line between your business and your pleasure because, at the end of the day, the small mistake you make will cost your career,” he said.
Ahuurra Andrew, an audio engineer and Managing Director of Quad-A, noted the necessity for more training and awareness initiatives within the creative industry to protect girls and women.
“Our people need training and sensitization. We also need a code of conduct with music promoters and producers. The girls are being used and people are not accountable to anyone,” he said.
Other panelists included Sylvia Kyansuti – Musician, Jovia Lanisha – musician and Rachel Monique – Musician and Teacher.
Minus the Creatives Panel Discussion, Day two featured interactive business clinics and networking opportunities. Exhibited products include agricultural products, arts and crafts, clothing, hair and body care items, ICT banking products as well as lessons on hairdressing, shoe making, and marketing lessons.
Ucha David Karmu, managing director of Detra, specializing in energy solutions, noted the significance of such exhibitions in attracting new clientele.
Furthermore, Charlotte Neeza, the HiPipo FinTech Events Manager observed that while Women and Young girls continue to get interested in Science, Technology, Economics and Mathematics, they are being impeded by the absence of essentials such as smartphones, laptops and data.
“It is visible that most women have feature phones. Many have come on the stall to find out what Women in FinTech is all about but minus finding out, they cannot do much as they lack things like devices and data. This is an area that we must pay more attention to as we push for inclusive financial solutions.”
Under the theme “Bridging Economic Divides for Women’s Prosperity,” this season of the Katale receives support from the Young Africa Works Lead Firm Structure program, funded by the Mastercard Foundation.
The Women’s Day Katale serves as a vital platform for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to showcase their offerings to a diverse audience, thereby expanding their market presence and visibility.
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) has announced the start of the third season of the Women’s Day Katale, scheduled to commence this Friday, March 15th, and run through to March 17th at the Dam Waters Rugby Ground in Jinja.
According to Mr. Daniel Kazibwe (popularly known as Ragga Dee), a PSFU board member representing the Arts, Culture & Creative sector, the 2024 Women’s Day Katale would empower hundreds of women with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive and bridge the economic gap for women in Uganda.
“Investing in women is not only the right thing to do but also a critical step for our economic development. At this year’s Katale, we are going to have business clinics that will provide insights on grant applications and participation in government procurement, On behalf of Mr, Humphrey Nzeyi – our board Chairperson and on behalf of the entire board, I can confirm that PSFU is committed to Women and Youth empowerment as this is key to our country’s transformation,” he said.
The theme for this season is “Bridging Economic Divides for Women’s Prosperity,”. This initiative is supported by Young Africa Works (YAW) Lead Firm Structure program that is implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the Katale, Fazira Kawuma, the Deputy Mayor of Jinja City, noted that they are ready to host the event and urged women to seize the opportunity to boost their businesses.
“I urge women to actively engage in economic activities. This is crucial for our economic development, considering our region has had persistent challenges of poverty,” she said.
“As women, we possess the capacity to engage in various economic endeavors and improve our financial status. Leveraging our planning abilities and innovative ideas, we can form groups to benefit from such programs,” she said.
The Women’s Day Katale offers numerous advantages for participating women entrepreneurs, providing them with a platform to showcase their products and services to a diverse audience, thus expanding their market reach and visibility.
The third annual event builds upon the successes of the previous editions held in 2022 and 2023. The Women’s Day Katale debuted in Luwero district in 2022, attracting over 100 women-founded and women-led businesses. The second edition, hosted in Kampala in 2023, saw the participation of more than 250 women enterprises, who not only showcased their products but also acquired business management skills and delved into corporate governance.
Apollo Muyanja Mbazzira, the PSFU Lead Firm Structure (LFS) Project Director said that the Women’s Day Katale aims to give an opportunity to women to learn and grow.
Muyanja said other Katale benefits include; meaningful connections with other accomplished women entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry experts, fostering collaboration and professional development.
Meanwhile, Loy Katali, the District Woman Representative of Jinja District, encouraged women to participate, noting the importance of acquiring entrepreneurial skills to support their businesses and families.
“This event marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards creating an environment where women can grow without hindrances. PSFU will provide further support to some of the participating women to support their businesses. Let us make this Katale a resounding success,” she said.
