At the recent AWE Cohort 8 event held at Innovation Village in Mbarara, Uganda's creative entrepreneurs were encouraged to harness authenticity and resilience as cornerstones for success in the competitive industry.

This gathering was part of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), an initiative by the U.S. Mission in Uganda aimed at equipping Ugandan women with essential business skills to foster growth and sustainability.

Shine Omukiga, a celebrated artist from Western Uganda and the event's guest speaker, emphasised that originality is vital in any creative field. "There are many people doing creatives, but why should people buy from you?" she challenged attendees.

Omukiga urged them to think deeply about what sets their work apart, emphasising that "Art is wealth if you keep the originality and authenticity." Her words resonated with many, inspiring attendees to pursue distinctiveness as a means to establish lasting success.

The event showcased various stories of resilience and achievement among women in creatives. Sumaiya Nalukwago, founder of Tech Over with Sumaiya and an AWE alumna, spoke about how the skills gained through AWE enabled her to empower other women in technology and qualify for the prestigious YALI program.

"Take this program seriously, it can be your breakthrough," Nalukwago urged fellow participants.

Travel content creator Liss Tess highlighted challenges such as plagiarism by bigger companies and limited monetisation options on platforms like TikTok in Uganda.

"Some of the content we put up is not monetised in Uganda yet," Tess shared, adding that platforms like YouTube have been a lifeline, providing both reach and revenue.

With global programs like AWE supporting women entrepreneurs through hands-on training, mentorship, and access to critical tools, Ugandan women are increasingly equipped to transform their creative passions into sustainable businesses, fostering resilience and originality along the way.