Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL), through its banking subsidiary and the Stanbic Business Incubator, has launched two major empowerment programmes aimed at improving the lives of more than 10,000 low-income women entrepreneurs and 100 horticulture farmers in Northern Uganda through affordable financing, business training and digital financial solutions.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), are part of Stanbic’s Positive Impact Agenda targeting women, youth and farmers.
The programmes seek to expand economic opportunities and help more Ugandans participate in the formal financial system.Stanbic has committed to mobilising up to UGX 1 trillion by 2028 through strategic partnerships to support livelihoods, grow enterprises and accelerate Uganda’s journey towards a more inclusive and competitive economy. The initiative aligns with the government’s ATMS strategy, which targets expanding Uganda’s economy from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040.Speaking during the launch in Gulu, Stanbic Business Incubator Limited Chief Executive Catherine Poran said the programmes demonstrate the bank’s commitment to driving Uganda’s growth. She explained that WEE will provide women entrepreneurs with business training, financial literacy, digital skills, mentorship, insurance solutions, savings support and access to markets.
Poran said many women and small-scale farmers continue to face challenges accessing affordable credit due to limited collateral and lack of formal financial records. She encouraged beneficiaries to use the programme’s financial platforms to build credit histories while improving their businesses and increasing household incomes.She added that the agribusiness programme will equip farmers with modern farming techniques, reduce post-harvest losses and connect them with reliable buyers. According to Poran, linking farmers to markets will help them secure better prices while creating a multiplier effect where trained farmers can support at least 15 others to adopt improved agricultural practices.Launching the initiative at the Mayor’s Gardens in Gulu, Resident City Commissioner Ambrose Onoria urged beneficiaries to fully embrace the opportunity, saying the programme provides a pathway for communities to improve their financial wellbeing. He encouraged participants to take advantage of the financing options and skills being offered.
UNOC National Content Specialist Jessica Kyeyune highlighted the importance of business management skills among women entrepreneurs, noting that many businesses fail because owners do not separate profits from cash flow. Gulu City Mayor Labeja Julius Acire welcomed the partnership, saying it will help protect women from exploitative lenders by providing structured financing, training and support for sustainable enterprises.The partners said the programmes will strengthen women-led businesses, support farmers, improve access to financial services and complement national development initiatives such as the Parish Development Model. They expressed optimism that the initiative will contribute to stronger local economies and create lasting opportunities across Northern Uganda.
