Bukedea district officials convened a sensitisation meeting targeting Community Development Officers and District Councillors to enhance the implementation of Uganda's GROW ( Generations Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises) project .

The GROW PROJECT funded by the World Bank and implemented under the Ministry of Gender ,Labour and Social Development seeks to economically empower women by providing them with financial literacy, business development support and access to capital

While addressing the meeting , Mr. Elimu Emmanuel, Town Clerk representing the District Chief Administrative officer , emphasised the critical role of Community Development Officers and Councillors in ensuring the success of the GROW PROJECT at the community level . He urged participants to take ownership of the project and act as ambassadors to encourage eligible women to participate.

" This project is a lifeline for women led enterprises . We are counting on you our frontline officers and elected leaders to champion it's ideals and help encourage women entrepreneurs .

The GROW project focal person ,Ms. Ruth Acam delivered a comprehensive overview of the GROW project structure, target beneficiaries and funding model . She explained that the project targets women in business and aims to enhance their productivity through capacity building, access to affordable credit and business support services.

" Our goal is to build resilient women enterprises that contribute to the districts economic growth but all this is possible if we create awareness and guide women through the application and implementation processes" she said .

Representatives from Post bank Uganda , the financial institution entrusted with disbursing the project funds , took the participants through the financial components of the GROW . They elaborated on the financial literacy support and how funds can be got and monitored

Mr. Nicholas Lubinga, the Post Bank Bukedea Branch Manager, promised timely realise of the money to women entrepreneurs who have qualified and successfully gone through the process. He also encouraged the CDOs and councillors to mobilize eligible women to take part is accessing the GROW loan since it is even at a friendly interest rate of 9.2%.

The meeting also featured a question and answer session where participants sought clarifications on project timelines , eligibility criteria and the nature of support to be given .

District officials committed to holding further community level engagements to deepen understanding and improve uptake of the program.