GROW Project to Offer Women Entrepreneurs Grants of Up to Shs107 Million

What the report says

The Ugandan government is preparing a new grant window under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project to support women-owned micro and small businesses that did not secure loans through the earlier GROW financing facility, according to Nile Post. The programme is backed by the World Bank and is being positioned as a non-repayable funding option for eligible entrepreneurs across the country.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development said the grants will range from Shs3.5 million to Shs107.07 million, depending on enterprise size. Officials said the target is at least 2,626 women-owned businesses nationwide, including 767 enterprises in refugee-hosting districts. The article notes that the grants are meant to fill gaps left by the loan scheme, where some viable businesses were unable to obtain financing because of credit and banking requirements.

Nile Post reported that the ministry has begun regional orientation meetings with district leaders, city officials and women entrepreneurs’ representatives to prepare for rollout and mobilize applicants. State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Simon Mulongo opened one such meeting in Mbale City on October 8, 2026, while Gender Minister Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde led outreach in the Ankole and Kigezi sub-regions.

The government said priority will go to innovative, technology-driven, green and climate-resilient ventures, along with agro-processing, health technology and childcare-related businesses. Officials also warned applicants not to pay brokers or officials, saying the application process will be free and handled online. The initiative matters because it expands access to capital for women-led enterprises that were excluded from the loan round and is intended to support jobs and broader economic growth.