PSFU, Busoga Kingdom move to aid Eastern Uganda businesses 

Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Busoga Kingdom will work closely with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU ) and other like-minded stakeholders to deliver transformation and prosperity for its people and the country at large.

This follows the public endorsement of PSFU works in Busoga region by both the Kyabazinga and the Inhebantu.

While delivering messages from both the King and the Queen at the 2024 PSFU Women’s Day Katale held at the Dam Waters Rugby Ground in Jinja City from March 15-17, Owek Osman Ahmed Noor, the Busoga Kingdom Second Deputy Prime Minister (Katukiiro), expressed the kingdom’s commitment to fostering partnerships with PSFU for the betterment of its people.

He said:  ‘’His Majesty has encouraged us to proceed with engaging you to explore how we can advance discussions to benefit our people through the Inhebantu. To further these engagements, we are going to sign an MOU with PSFU so that we can directly mobilize our people and enlighten them on what is required to benefit from the available opportunities.”

The three-day PSFU Women’s Day Katale brought together more than 200 Exhibitors; the majority being women-founded and women-led businesses. Held under the theme “Bridging Economic Divides for Women’s Prosperity,” the Katale was supported by Young Africa Works (YAW) Lead Firm Structure program that is implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Sarah Kagingo, the PSFU Vice Chairperson noted that minus the Women’s Day Katale, Busoga-based businesses are set to benefit from other programs that the organization and partners are implementing such as Lead Firm Structure (LFS), Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW), Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) and Catalytic Fund.

She noted that the key highlights from the Jinja edition included the Business Clinics conducted by Trade Facilitation Agencies, Panel Sessions that sought to address challenges affecting Women and the Kreative Village; where leaders in the art, culture, music, and fashion sectors met and freely interacted with industry stakeholders drawn from all over Busoga region.

Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister commended PSFU for the initiative.

“I want to thank Mastercard Foundation for the support they have given to the young people to develop their capacity. I am also really happy that the PSFU has decided to leave their comfort zone in Kampala and come to support entrepreneurs in Busoga region,” Kadaga said.

Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Resident Representative for Uganda said that women entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in national development and thus must be prioritized.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the PSFU for inviting me to witness firsthand, your dedication, energy, and commitment to the fight for equality and women’s economic advancement. Women world over, have increasingly made significant contributions to economic, political, and social transformation. Despite strides made in narrowing gender disparities, particularly in leadership and political engagement, substantial gaps persist in areas such as education, employment, and economic participation.”

PSFU Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Asiimwe noted that the Busoga region boasts some of the world’s finest tourist attractions which if well marketed can catalyze the region’s development.

“For anyone considering investment opportunities, Busoga stands out as the prime destination. PSFU eagerly extends its hand to collaborate with you, offering support for your growth endeavors. We intend to establish a liaison office managed in conjunction with our partner, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA). This office will serve as a platform for representation across various sectors, including trade, manufacturing, ICT, financial services, professional services, tourism, and hospitality, as well as creative spaces,” he said.

Aligned with International Women’s Day celebrations, the Katale is an annual event that acknowledges the significant contributions and potential of women and girls as entrepreneurs. The third ‘Katale’ is built on the success of the previous editions held in Luweero and Kampala in 2022 and 2023 respectively.