Over 100 women led businesses will be showcasing their products and services at the Rising Woman Expo in Kampala on Friday 16th and Saturday, 17th November 2018. The Expo is a culmination of the Rising Woman initiative that was launched in July 2018 by Monitor Publications Limited’s (MPL) flagship brand Daily Monitor in partnership with dfcu Bank’s Women in Business (WiB) Program and Uganda Investment Authority-UIA to recognize, celebrate and promote a culture of mentorship among women in business in Uganda.
According to the Chairlady dfcu WiB Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza, having over 100 women entrepreneurs in one place presents numerous learning and networking opportunities. “Access to information is one of the major challenges for women entrepreneurs. The Expo will provide invaluable resources for small-to-medium business owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs to share knowledge and move their business forward,” says Dr. Basaza.
Speaking at the press launch of the Expo, Tony Glencross, MD NMG in Uganda, reiterated NMGs commitment to supporting the growth of women. “It is our role as NMG to provide platforms for businesses to showcase what they do. The Expo provides an experiential way of doing the same and we are so proud of the Rising Women who continue to exhibit impeccable business skills in a tough market,” he said. “As part of the Expo there will be a series of business clinics on topics including; How to effectively sell/market products, embracing digital platforms to grow business and Juggling business and family.”
Since the launch of initiative in July this year over six hundred and fifty (650) women across the country women have been trained in matters of taxation, record keeping, investment licenses, importance of business registration and marketing. This brings to over thirty-five thousand (35,000) the total number of women who have benefited from the dfcu WiB capacity building sessions since inception of the programme in 2007.
As part of the Rising Woman initiative women entrepreneurs were also invited to submit business proposals for a chance to win cash prizes of up to UGX 30m. The top 3 winners will be recognised and rewarded with UGX 15m, UGX 10m and UGX5m at an Awards dinner to be held on the 16th of November on the sidelines of the Expo. The final 10 will go on an all-expense paid study trip to Nairobi.
“The knowledge and networks will be valuable to the women entrepreneurs. It is our hope that when they return, they too will share this knowledge and mentor other women in line with one of objectives of the Rising Woman,” Dr. Basaza added.
Ms. Vivienne Yeda Apopo, Director General of the East African Development Bank will formally open the Expo that will take place at Hotel Africana – People’s Space and also officiate at the Awards dinner on the 16th of November, 2018.