Minister Amongi urges CDOs to ensure the success of women projects in Uganda

Minister Amongi urges CDOs to ensure the success of women projects in Uganda

 By Ceaser Okello

 Minister of Gender Labor and Social Development, Hon Betty Amongi Akena has confirmed that her Ministry has many Projects that target women in Uganda.

While addressing stakeholders from Lango and Acholi subregion on Friday 15 in an engagement held at Northern Gateway Hotel, Kamdini - Oyam District, minister Amongi said that under the Grow projects, statistics have shown that women in Uganda are more engaged in business compared to men.

The Grow Project of 217 Million US Dollars is intended to run for four years from 2024 to 2027. However, the project will kick start with 70 million US dollars.

According to Amongi, the 217 million Dollar fund is a grant from the World Bank to help in supporting women engaged in micro scale businesses to improve and enhance the level of their businesses. The project is implemented in146 districts and cities in Uganda.

Minister Amongi says each business woman can acquire a loan ranging from 1million to 5m at a moderate interest yet to be discussed between the government and Banks.

She states that the government is targeting women in this project since most women are engaged in business compared to men.

Amongi also directed Commercial Development Officers to ensure that the projects benefits the existing businesses but not given to those who intend to start new business.

The Woman Representative for Alebtong District, Dorcus Acen, appreciated Minister Amongi Akena for having the good heart of uplifting and improving the livelihood of Women.

She says the recently released report by the Parliamentary Committee of Equal Opportunity shows that women are still lagging behind, something she termed as a paper bad practice in Uganda.

According to Hon. Acen, men should also be included in the program mostly at the initial stages while women are in the initial stages of joining such projects to help give advice and curb down the issues that arise later.

She however challenged that the money given to beneficiaries should not increase domestic violence in families like it is happening now with couples having conflicts due to the Parish Development Model money but rather strengthen relationships between the married couples.

Former Leader of Opposition Hon. Betty Aol Ochan said the new Project of Grow has come at a right time to benefit women in business to supplement on their monthly earnings unlike the Parish Development Model that excludes civil servants from benefiting.

“I have hope that the growth project will go a long way in supporting women in the rural areas and should go to those dealing in smaller businesses but not those who are doing well financially like the civil servants”, said Aol Betty.

Hon Betty Aol Ochan who is the Woman Member of Parliament for Gulu City appealed to politicians to avoid having too much interest in the project meant for the locals because it may hinder its intended goal.

 Aol Ochan said politicians should not over exert pressure on Community Development Officers to do their interests but rather allow them to do what is expected of them and have the exact beneficiaries access such benefits.