600 Women Groups to Benefit from New Green Transformation Project

Up to 600 village-level women groups across Uganda are set to benefit from the Women’s Economic Empowerment for the Green Transformation Project (WEEG), a new initiative under the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) designed to strengthen women-led enterprises in environmentally friendly sectors.

The project, officially launched by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, will directly impact more than 5,000 women nationwide. It targets groups already engaged in sustainable enterprises such as charcoal briquettes from organic waste, banana wine, herbal products, eco-tourism, renewable energy, and environmentally friendly construction.

“Every little support you give to rural women in terms of capital, they utilize it much more than us in offices,” Amongi said at the launch. “If you empower a woman, the benefits stay at the household level and support the whole family. That is smart economics.”

She emphasized that only women-led groups already operating in green enterprises would receive specialized training, technical assistance, and market access support. “Many times, initiatives fail because they reinvent the wheel. This partnership builds on proven results to expand opportunities for women,” she noted.

The project is part of the Women’s Employment Promotion for the Green Transformation of Africa (WE4D) program, funded by Germany in collaboration with the EU and Norway, and implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).

German Ambassador to Uganda, Matthias Schauer, said the initiative would address unemployment while protecting the environment. “By increasing the competitiveness of women’s groups in the green sector, we create employment, raise incomes, and protect the environment at the same time,” he said.

One of the biggest hurdles for women entrepreneurs remains certification and market access. Without Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) approval, many products cannot reach supermarkets or international markets. WEEG will therefore provide support in certification, branding, and compliance with global standards.

Sharing her experience, Diana Babirye, secretary of Bakyala Tukole Amanda Mukasasiro Group in Masaka, said her group grew from 10 members in 2018 to 40, with capital increasing from UGX 7 million to UGX 16 million. They produce charcoal briquettes from organic waste, selling them locally as an eco-friendly alternative.
“One briquette can burn for eight hours and costs UGX 2,500,” Babirye explained. “With this project, we expect more machines, training, and access to bigger markets.”

Angela Nakafeero, Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs, noted that the initiative aligns with Uganda Vision 2040, which prioritizes inclusive and sustainable development. “Uganda has one of the highest rates of women’s business ownership in Africa, yet most remain small-scale with limited access to finance, technology, and markets,” she said.

Barnard Mujini, Commissioner for Equal Opportunities, described the project as a community-level industrial revolution. “We are focusing on certification, branding, and industrialising at the household level. This is an industrial revolution starting in our communities,” he remarked.

Minister Amongi called on government agencies, private sector players, and local leaders to support the expansion of women’s green enterprises.
“When we invest in women, we invest in families, communities, and the nation,” she said. “Women’s economic empowerment is not charity; it is smart economics.”

With the new support, rural women entrepreneurs are expected to move beyond local markets, integrate into regional and international value chains, and transform village-level innovations into drivers of Uganda’s sustainable growth.

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