By BigEyeUg Team
Nine organisations across Uganda have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to establish Common User Production Facilities (CUPFs) under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
The agreements are part of a Performance-Based Grant aimed at improving access to gender-inclusive workplace infrastructure for women entrepreneurs.
The initiative will support shared production spaces, modern equipment, and value addition services for women-led enterprises.
The GROW Project, a government programme implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, is designed to support women entrepreneurs to grow and compete in local and international markets.
Government officials say the new facilities will help reduce production costs, improve productivity, and strengthen women’s participation in key value chains.
The selected organisations operate in sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, and creative industries.
In Lamwo District, Finn Church Aid Uganda will develop the Palabek Women’s Agro-Enterprise Hub in Palabek Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities.
The Shs795 million project will focus on honey and grain processing, including construction, equipment installation, and training.
In Otuke District, the Okere Community Development Project will receive Shs658 million to support shea butter production and related cosmetic and medicinal products.
The project includes construction of a processing facility and skills training.
In Gulu City, Wend Africa (Women Empowerment Network Design) will establish a creative hub worth Shs745 million to support tailoring, leatherwork, and crafts across Gulu City, Omoro, and Nwoya districts.
In Nakapiripirit District, Namalu Farmers Produce and Cooperative Society Limited will receive Shs253.4 million to improve maize processing through storage refurbishment and installation of a milling plant.
In Kiruhura District, Kiruhura Women Entrepreneurs in Ghee Processing (KWEG) will benefit from Shs815 million to upgrade ghee production facilities, improve equipment, and build skills.
In Tororo Municipality, the Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration will receive Shs350 million to support garment production through renovation and installation of tailoring equipment.
In Kampala, The Innovation Village has secured Shs1.65 billion to improve industrial infrastructure and skills development for women in carpentry, welding, tailoring, ICT, and manufacturing.
Airo Cassava Growers and Processors Association will receive Shs1.38 billion to support cassava processing across the Teso and Busoga sub-regions, including construction of production facilities and installation of processing lines.
In Buikwe District, the Kiyindi Women Fish Processors Association will receive Shs300 million to establish a fish processing and cold storage facility at Kiyindi Landing Site to improve preservation and market access.
Officials say the rollout of Common User Production Facilities will help address long-standing infrastructure gaps that limit women entrepreneurs, especially in accessing affordable production spaces and modern equipment.
The GROW Project is seen as a key effort to promote inclusive economic growth by enabling women to expand their businesses, improve competitiveness, and access wider markets.
We will keep you posted.