ONE On ONE: Dr Biyinzika Ruth and the women’s economic transformation mission through GROW

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published a Q&A with Dr Biyinzika Ruth Kasolo, the coordinator of the GROW Project, about Uganda’s programme for women-owned enterprises. The discussion focused on how the initiative combines financing with business-development support to help women expand businesses, raise productivity and create jobs. The article says GROW is a Government of Uganda project backed by the World Bank and implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

According to the interview, the project became effective on January 20, 2023, and has World Bank financing of US$217 million. It covers sectors including agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, construction, science and technology, services, creative arts and ICT. The published criteria include at least 51% women shareholding for eligible micro and small enterprises, with loans ranging from Shs2 million to Shs200 million, and a minimum of Shs1 million for refugees. The article also cites a repayment period of up to 24 months and interest of up to 10% annually.

The coordinator said access to credit alone is not enough for business growth, stressing the need for planning, market access, cost control and financial management. She also highlighted field monitoring in western and eastern Uganda as a way to track how loans are being used and what challenges beneficiaries face. The article says that by June 30, 2026, the facility had recorded 10,096 loans and about Shs161 billion in cumulative disbursements through 14 financial institutions.

The piece uses beneficiary examples, including a restaurant owner in Isingiro District who reportedly used a Shs55 million loan to employ 12 workers, to show how the programme is intended to translate lending into broader economic activity.