With 18 months left before the Shs850 billion GROW Project ends in December 2027, many women entrepreneurs in Busoga remain locked out despite demand for affordable financing.
Interviews with district focal persons, banks, leaders and women point to collateral requirements, limited bank access, poor awareness and fear of spouses taking the money as the main barriers.
In Mayuge, only seven women have accessed GROW loans since rollout.
“Very many women have welcomed the GROW project but are unable to benefit because of a few challenges. Most women in Mayuge do not own land, yet banks mainly require land as collateral,” said Ms Susan Namuwoya, Mayuge GROW focal person.
She added that some married women avoid applying: “Many women are afraid to access the loans because they fear their husbands will take control of the money. Some women don’t even want their spouses to know they are applying.”
In Luuka, distance to banks is a hurdle. “Many women must travel to Iganga to access banking services. Transport costs and repeated trips to the banks discourage applicants,” said Ms Janet Luwano, Luuka focal person. “Most women do not own land titles. They have to seek consent from husbands or relatives, which complicates the process.”
Namutumba’s Mr Nicholas Kairu said registration and distance are blocking applicants: “Most enterprises are not registered in their own names… Namutumba does not have a branch of any of the participating banks, forcing women to travel to Iganga.”
Kaliro’s Ms Harriet Atibwa said frustrations have eroded trust: “Women are told to return several times and some eventually lose trust in the process.”
Programme implementers insist money is available. “As of March, 349 women entrepreneurs in Busoga had received GROW loans,” said Paul Nuwagaba, Access to Finance Specialist at PSFU. He added that informal businesses can qualify: “As long as the business can be verified, women can qualify.”
Banks say documentation is the challenge. “Most women do not have formal ownership documents for land or other assets. This makes it difficult to assess business ownership,” said Mr Basil Oyet Otoo of Centenary Bank Iganga. By June 2026, Centenary had disbursed Shs1.3 billion to 61 women in Busoga.
Women leaders want SACCOs and microfinance included. “The women are eager to borrow and grow their businesses, but they need clearer guidance and financial institutions that are closer to them,” said Luuka Woman MP Annet Nabirye.
Some beneficiaries say it works. “I received a Shs20 million GROW loan, which has helped me expand my business,” said Ms Joyce Mukyala of Luuka. Others missed out: “I have never received a GROW loan because I did not know the programme existed,” said Ms Florence Namukose.
The five-year World Bank-funded GROW Project runs to December 2027. It offers loans of up to 10% interest annually through nine banks, plus training and grants.