Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL) on Friday, November 25, 2022, marked 35 years in existence during its Annual Women in Business Achievers Awards.
UWEAL is a powerhouse for Women in Business, empowering women to create wealth through capacity building, networking and advocacy. The award gala was held at Fairway hotel in Kampala.
UWEAL Chairperson, Sarah Kitakule, said awarding women entrepreneurs is important for motivation and used the opportunity to encourage women to continue to improve and keep growing their businesses.
UWEAL celebrates 35 years
“Gender equality and empowering women and girls is what we seek to achieve. Women are more challenged by several factors but through our incubator, we give them exposure and training to gain experience,” she said.
While recognising Sarah Kagingo, the newly elected Vice Chairperson Board of Directors at Private Sector Foundation (PSFU, Kitakule said they are well represented and over the 35 years, have impacted so many lives.
She asked the government and partners to give women and girls the opportunities they deserve.
Speaking as a chief guest at the gala dinner, Joel Cox Ojuko, the Vice Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), lauded UWEAL for its inspiring story.
“We have heard your story and how you have grown into a giant. We are advocates of women and promote affirmative action for women,” he said, adding that their role is to ensure equal and fair access to opportunities without discrimination or marginalization.
UWEAL Chief Executive Officer, Connie Kekihembo, announced the eight categories of women entrepreneurs who were being awarded and emphasized the importance of the awards.
Women Entrepreneurs Awarded
Lydia Mwesigwa, the proprietor of Mesha Steel Ltd won the T.Mbiire Award for the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.
Stating how dealing in steel was not easy, Lydia urged other women to compete for the male-dominated seats. “That is where we should go.”
Donnah Masolo Murungi, the founder of Sparkles Saloon took home the Wanendeya Award for UWEAL Spirit. The award was handed to her by Sarah Kagingo and Kitakule.
Murungi who owns Malaika Vocational Institute said she is also into agriculture and the construction industry. “We employ 165 people.”
The UWEAL Regional Entrepreneur Award went to Kibaale-based Florence Butegwa, the founder of HESS Farms.
She appreciated the honour bestowed upon her and revealed how she had always wanted to work with the community in which she was born.
“I wasn’t expecting it (the award). Thank you for honouring me.”
Hamira Kobusingye of Hami Spotless Limited won the Kisumba Award for UWEAL Rising Star.
Hamira had a vision for her business in 2017 while she was still at the university. “When the Covid-19 pandemic and unemployment hit me, that is when I decided to start this company from scratch.”
Sheila Laker who founded Orirides took home the Busulwa Pioneer Award for revolutionising the transportation sector.
Dr Rehema Gonsha of Extra Care Pharmacy won the Lubogo Community Involvement Award. She owns a chain of pharmacies.
“This award is a confirmation that as we do our work, the people are following. We now employ 50 people and our job is not just to sell medicine but to change lives,” she said.
PSFU Project Director, Dr Ruth Biyinzika, was recognised with the UWEAL Honorary Award which was handed to her by Vice Chair Kagingo.
Dr Biyinzika said when she joined UWEAL several years ago, she became an entrepreneur. “This award is about God watching what I do…serving beyond myself.”
She appreciated Kagingo and encouraged women to support and promote each other because, in that way, “we can take over this country”.
The awarding ceremony was followed by the cutting of the cake to officially celebrate the 35-year milestone.
UWEAL Women Entrepreneurs Advancement Award, the last award of the night, was given to the International Labour Organization (ILO) for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others (refugees) without seeking gain.
Established in 1987, UWEAL currently reaches out to 2.5 million women in business in Uganda. It works in 3 core program areas: strengthening women-owned enterprises, promoting networking and marketing linkages for business women, and advocating for policies that create an enabling environment for women to compete favourably in business.
