By BigEyeUg Team
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with nine Common User Production Facilities (CUPFs) to improve access to shared infrastructure for women entrepreneurs under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
The agreement is aimed at strengthening gender-inclusive infrastructure services that support women-owned businesses across Uganda.
The nine organisations that signed the MoU include Finn Church Aid Uganda, Okere Community Development Project, Wend Africa, Namalu Farmers Produce and Cooperative Society Limited, Kiruhura Women Entrepreneurs in Ghee Processing, Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, The Innovation Village Hub, Airo Cassava Growers & Processors Association, and Kiyindi Women Fish Processors Association.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Apollo Onzoma, Assistant Commissioner of Industrial Relations at the Ministry, emphasized that the grants under the project are performance-based and must be used as agreed.
“I believe you have been given enough time to read and internalize these contracts to see what is expected of you in order to receive the grants. My humble request is to ensure that the money advanced to you is used exactly for the purpose indicated in your proposals,” Onzoma said.
“My technical team will continuously monitor your progress to support you and ensure the funds are applied correctly.”
He also noted that the nine organisations are part of a pilot phase.
He revealed that 200 additional grants will be awarded after evaluation of other proposals.
The MoU formalises cooperation between the Ministry and CUPFs to provide shared production spaces, equipment, and value-addition facilities tailored to women entrepreneurs.
The support is expected to lower production costs, improve productivity, and strengthen women’s participation in markets and value chains.
The Ministry said the first group was selected to ensure fair geographic coverage and alignment with key sectors where women are actively engaged.
“This first cohort of Common User Production Facilities has been selected to ensure geographic inclusivity and alignment with the key trades and enterprise sectors where women are most active,” the Ministry stated.
“The infrastructure support provided will respond directly to the economic realities, production patterns, and business opportunities of women entrepreneurs in different regions of Uganda.”
The GROW Project is part of government efforts to increase access to business support services for women entrepreneurs.
It focuses on addressing key challenges such as lack of production space, limited equipment, and weak business infrastructure.
The Ministry added that access to gender-responsive infrastructure remains key to unlocking the full potential of women-led enterprises and promoting inclusive economic growth.
We will keep you posted.