The sixth edition of the ‘Rising Woman’ initiative was this week launched.
The initiative aims to recognize, celebrate, and promote a culture of mentorship among women in the business space in Uganda.
It was launched by different partners including; dfcu Bank, Monitor Publications Limited, and Uganda Investment Authority.
Speaking at the launch as the Chief Guest, Hon. Ntabaazi Harriet, the State Minister for Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives applauded the Rising Woman Initiative and called for countrywide participation from women entrepreneurs, noting that this participation was in line with the President’s Ten Point program of Building an integrated, sustaining economy.
This year, Uganda Airlines was unveiled as the fourth sponsor of the program that profiles and funds women-led businesses across the country. Hon. Ntabaazi Harriet, the State Minister for Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives was the Guest of Honor at the launch ceremony.
Rising Woman falls under dfcu’s Women in Business Program which aims to create a business-enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, with a special focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The campaign was announced yesterday at Kampala Serena Hotel and will for the next three months run under the theme ‘Empowering entrepreneurs to Succeed’. The event was attended by past winners of previous Rising Woman seasons, customers from dfcu’s Women in Business Program, and representatives from each of the partner companies.
Charles Mudiwa, the CEO of dfcu Bank reinforced the Banks commitment to continue supporting the Rising Woman Initiative, noting that dfcu Bank was formed to create economic development in Uganda and has done so for over 50 years. Advising the Women Entrepreneurs, he urged them to learn how to convert their passions and dreams into feasible businesses that generate income.
He further highlighted the importance of building relationships. He urged the Rising Women to focus on establishing networks and building relationships that would serve their businesses in the short and long term.
Ms. Rosemary Mutyabule, a member of dfcu Bank’s Women Business Advisory Counsel, expressed her excitement for yet another season of Rising Woman. She said that dfcu’s Women in Business Program is a platform that allows women to connect with and inspire one another in their quest to meet their business objectives.
“Since its inception in 2018, Rising Woman has had a profound impact on women across Uganda directly impacting over 65,000 women and over 1 million indirectly with our different programs. We continue to seek partnership opportunities that enable us to reach more women with skill empowerment to see them thrive in their businesses. The testimonies from the past winners are a testament to what more we can do if we continue to persist and support more women,” said Ruth Asasira, Manager – Women in Business and Special Programs, dfcu Bank.
