Luweero — Today, over 100 young women showcased their small businesses at a special women's market exhibition aimed at empowering young women in business. The exhibition, dubbed "Women's Day Katale", was hosted by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Uganda's apex body for the private sector, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation's Young Africa Works initiative in Uganda.
Speaking at the event, to celebrate International Women's Day under the 2022 theme of "INVESTING IN YOUNG WOMEN FOR A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW", Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko- the Vice Chairperson of the PSFU Board said,"Through this initiative, we are re-echoing our recognition of the contributions, resilience, and potential of young women in Uganda. This Women's Day Katale provides an opportunity for young women in Luweero to gain linkages for their goods, products, and services to the available market."
The exhibitors received business development support through free financial literacy, brand image consultancies, and guidance on embracing technology to support their long-term businesses objectives while ensuring sustainability and excellence.
In his address, Adrian Bukenya, Uganda Country Head at the Mastercard Foundation, highlighted the fact that Uganda, has one of the highest proportions of women-owned businesses anywhere in the world. "It is up to all of us to ensure young women and men have the support they need to drive change in their communities, and contribute to our economy as equals. We need to work with intentionality, urgency, and at scale to enable systems-level changes that will catalyze opportunities for young women in Uganda and in fact the continent."
[WATCH: "Women's Day Katale" Address by Adrian Bukenya, Uganda Country Head at the Mastercard Foundation]
Bukenya commended the exhibitors for their skills, creativity, and value and highlighted two young women who participated in the exhibition. Nineteen-year old Namato Shamira, who recently enrolled in the URDT (Uganda Rural Development Training Institute) and expanded her tailoring skills and learned to make shoes and bags. She started her own business, tripled her income, and plans to pay forward her experience to 30 other young women.
Thirty-year old Bernadette Ojao's struggle started after dropping out of high school and she spent almost three years searching for a job to earn a living and look after her family. Her luck changed when a friend gave her a sewing machine. She, however, did not have skills or knowledge of the fashion and design industry to put the gift to good use. When The Innovation Village, a Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works partner, put out a call to entrepreneurs, she leapt at the chance to join the creative industry. Through upskilling and business support, she learned how to make reusable sanitary pads and reusable masks. Her first sale was 1,500 face masks to Tugende, a Bodaboda company that supplied the masks to their motorcycle riders in Kampala. Bernadette currently employs six fellow women from local communities and the slums of Kamwokya.
The exhibition, held at the Luwero Kasana Sports Grounds, attracted more than 300 participants from local government, the private sector, and the community.
About PSFU
Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is Uganda's apex body for the private sector. It is made up of over 200 business associations, corporate bodies and the major public sector agencies that support private sector growth. Since its founding in 1995, PSFU has served as a focal point for private sector advocacy as well as capacity building and continues to sustain a positive policy dialogue with Government on behalf of the private sector. PSFU aims to strengthen Private Sector capacity for effective policy advocacy and market competitiveness nationally, regionally and internationally. Regionally, PSFU is the national focal point for the East African Business Council (EABC) and the COMESA Business Council (CBC).
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
About Young Africa Works
Young Africa Works is the Mastercard Foundation's strategy to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work. Africa will be home to the world's largest workforce, with 375 million young people entering the job market by 2030. With the right skills, these young people will contribute to Africa's global competitiveness and improve their lives and those of their communities. The Mastercard Foundation will implement Young Africa Works in 10 African countries in collaboration with governments, private sector, entrepreneurs, educators, and young people. The first phase of countries identified by the Mastercard Foundation are Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.
For more information, please contact:
PSFU
Name: Lorraine Nkoba
Title: Communications Specialist
Tel: +256 758976105
Email: lnkoba@psfuganda.org.ug
Mastercard Foundation
Name: Eleni Constantine White
Title: Country Communications Lead, Uganda
Email: ewhite@mastercardfdn.org
