By KT Reporter
Leaders in Apac district have raised concerns over the slow disbursement of funds under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project.
The World Bank-funded project is worth US$217 million (795.627 billion Shillings) and aims to support women entrepreneurs.
Launched in August 2024, the GROW loan targets 60,000 women-owned businesses, including 3,000 owned by refugees. However as of March, 28, 2025 the banks mandated to disburse money under the GROW project in Lango Sub-region had disbursed the fund to only 1,966 with Centenary Bank disbursing the fund to 728 beneficiaries, Post Bank 557 women, Finance Trust Bank 570 and Equity Bank 111 beneficiaries according to reports from the Ministry of Gender.
Betty Awor Engola, Apac District Woman Member of Parliament, is concerned that only two women have received the fund in Apac district compared to other districts in the country. She asked the government to expedite the process of disbursing money under the GROW project to support women in business.
“Last year, only 4 women received money from the GROW in Kukumiro, Kihur, 31 beneficiaries, Dokolo 3 women, Gulu 57 women, Apac 02 women, Lira 13 women and Kampala 533 women received money under the GROW Project. Money is needed under the GROW project to support women in business to improve household income and support their community”.
Susan Akola, Apac Sub County LCV female councilor, claimed that money under the GROW project is being selectively distributed. She said women are struggling with petty businesses to raise money to support their families, urging the government to immediately distribute the funds to support the women.
Florence Acuma, Assistant Resident District Commissioner, urged the women to embrace other government programs, citing the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) as they wait for the GROW Project. She said the district is closely following up on the GROW project.
The Auditor General’s report of March 19, 2025, indicates that only US$18.14 million (66.506 billion Shillings) of the US$22 million (80.669 billion Shillings) earmarked for 2024 had been disbursed.
In a recent meeting with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), GROW Project National Coordinator Ruth Aisha attributed the delay in disbursing the fund to challenges they encountered in the initial stages of the implementation of the project-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
