KAMPALA, Uganda – Over 4,000 urban women traders and 400 light processors all over Uganda are slated to benefit from a US$ 500,000 Trademark East Africa and and Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL) joint venture project

This was revealed during the official launch of Women in Trade (WIT) project that was held in kikuubo downtown Kampala organized UWEAL in partnership with TMA to boost women business in Uganda.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Trade, Amelia Kyambade advised women to join business groups as a way of encountering challenges they face while doing business.Trademark EastAfrica boosts Women business. According to Amelia, women who join groups are more informed and able to solve business problems like how to manage their finances and how to find market for their goods.

“Women are naturally perceived as weak by men, normally people think they can cheat you because you are a woman and there is nothing that you can do about it. But when you are part of a strong group like UWEAL behind you, you are assured of that kind of support. That is why I encouraged all of you to spare some time and money and join these groups because in the end, it’s you who gains from it” Hon. Kyambadde said.

She also asked women to stop being shy while airing out their problems because no one is going to hurt them if they are talking the truth. According to her, women are more powerful ideologically and economically compared to the last years and their voices are being heard at every level of development so the business women should take advantage of this chance and solve all their problems.

She further noted that women will be economically empowered through capacity building, networking and advocacy as UWEAL’s mandate. The launch will also bring more than 200 Ugandan business women in attendance to embrace the project and examine the role that Ugandan women can play in regional trade, economic growth, competitiveness and ways that that the private and public sector can contribute and support women’s economic leadership and trade.

The Executive Director UWEAL Christine Kyeyune said the project intends to bridge gaps between the players in Uganda’s trade ecosystem by linking women business member associations to policy makers and trade facilitation. It will enable women traders to address non-tariff barriers that have hindered their participation in trade across the region.

“The project worth $ 500,000 will also link women business member associations to policy makers’ and trade facilitation/export service providers including trade facilitation agencies like URA and UNBS. We hope to improve the quality and quantity of the exports from the project and increase exports by 10%,” said kyeyune.

Speaking at the launch, the Country Director Trademark East Africa Uganda, Allen Asiimwe said that most business women are manipulated and cheated while doing business because they lack knowledge and information.

“This project intends to sensitize women about most challenges that they face while doing business. Most of them do not know their rights and are always cheated by middle men on trying to clear their goods for both exports and imports. We are privileged to work with women groups like UWEAL to promote women participation in cross border trade and hope to expand the program to expand to cover through east Africa,” said Allen.

The aim of the project is to improve business competitiveness of women traders. It targets women urban traders based in Kampala, Mukono and surrounding areas. The project is also expected to amplify the voices of women in business at national and regional levels.

Source: East Africa Business Week

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