More than 10,000 low-income women entrepreneurs and 100 horticulture farmers across Northern Uganda are set to access affordable financing, business development support and digital financial services.
The initiative will be implemented through Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL) via its business incubator. It brings together the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) programme, supported by the Gates Foundation, and the Albertine Agribusiness Development Programme (ADP), funded by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).
The programmes form part of Stanbic’s Positive Impact Agenda targeting women, youth and farmers. Under this agenda, the bank has pledged to mobilise up to Shs 1 trillion by 2028 through strategic partnerships to expand livelihoods and accelerate Uganda’s transition into a productive, inclusive and competitive economy.
The agenda is aligned with the government’s ATMS strategy, which aims to grow Uganda’s economy tenfold from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040. The strategy focuses on increasing enterprise productivity, strengthening agro-industrial value chains and expanding participation in the money economy.
Speaking at the launch, Catherine Poran, chief executive of Stanbic Business Incubator Limited, said the programmes reflect the bank’s commitment to driving Uganda’s growth.
She explained that the WEE programme provides entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, digital skills, mentorship, insurance, savings solutions and market linkages, which are critical for women to build sustainable businesses and improve household incomes. The ADP complements this by equipping farmers with modern agronomic skills and linking them to structured markets.
Poran noted that many women struggle to access credit due to lack of collateral and urged them to build credit histories through the programme’s financial platforms.
“When farmers are linked to markets, they secure better prices for their produce. Many farmers grow products, but the challenge is accessing markets. Through this programme, we are working with offtakers who are ready to buy these products,” she said.
She added that each supported farmer is expected to pass on knowledge to at least 15 others, creating a multiplier effect that will expand production and strengthen value chains.
Poran said the programme will also enable farmers to access formal financial services, which remain out of reach for many smallholders.
Launching the programme at Mayor’s Gardens in Gulu City, Resident City Commissioner Ambrose Onoria urged beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity effectively.
“With this programme offering a 10 per cent interest rate, no one should accept being poor or left behind,” he said.
Jessica Kyeyune, national content specialist at UNOC, emphasised the importance of business management skills for women entrepreneurs, noting that many fail to distinguish between profit and cash flow.
“Learning these skills helps them understand whether their businesses are growing or simply consuming resources,” she said.
Kyeyune added that the ADP will also train farmers in managing post-harvest losses and link them to export markets, revealing that some farmers in Hoima have already secured buyers.
Gulu City mayor Labeja Julius Acire warned against predatory lenders exploiting vulnerable women, saying the programme offers a safer and more structured alternative.
“This initiative is not only about financing but also training, which is essential in helping women grow sustainable businesses,” he said.
He added that the city council is decentralising support structures to ensure women’s groups receive training, collaborate effectively and identify viable enterprises.
“We are committed to working with Stanbic Bank, the Gates Foundation and UNOC to ensure clear roles and responsibilities. When systems are well organised, the margin for error is minimal,” Acire said.
