RUBIRIZI DISTRICT – The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in collaboration with CARE Uganda, has trained women entrepreneurs, men, youth and members of the business community in Rubirizi District on business management and growth strategies aimed at improving household incomes and combating poverty.
The training was held at Rubirizi Town Council headquarters, bringing together traders and entrepreneurs to equip them with practical knowledge and skills in starting, managing and expanding businesses to improve their livelihoods.
The initiative is part of government and development partners’ efforts to promote entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and household poverty reduction, while addressing challenges that undermine business growth, family stability and economic empowerment.
Speaking during the engagement, CARE Uganda trainer Madam Felly Tumwesigye said the training was designed to empower women and men entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to establish sustainable income-generating activities and small businesses.
Tumwesigye said participants were taken through business challenges, mindset change and practical ways of overcoming barriers that particularly affect women in business. She explained that CARE Uganda, working with the Ministry of Gender, is supporting small-scale traders through business skills development and linking them to opportunities that can improve their access to capital. She also observed that financial disagreements between couples have contributed to the collapse of some family businesses.
Rubirizi District Community Development Officer Mbonye Marklevis urged women entrepreneurs to form strong and organised groups to benefit from government programmes, including access to seed capital. He expressed concern over the misuse of government funds intended to support women’s and youth groups, warning beneficiaries against diverting the money for personal interests.
Mbonye said the district had started operations to identify and deal with individuals who misuse funds meant for community development, warning that those found culpable would face arrest and prosecution. He encouraged beneficiaries to use group initiatives to save, invest, expand their businesses, improve household welfare and educate their children.
He further noted that the training would help women access affordable financing through the Grow Project, connect to markets and benefit from mentorship, while addressing harmful social norms that continue to limit their economic participation.
Hon. Tugume Muzafaru, the Area Councillor representing the Ndekye Town business community, thanked the Ministry of Gender and CARE Uganda for bringing the training closer to local traders, saying it would strengthen their businesses and improve household livelihoods.
Muzafaru encouraged women to work closely with their husbands in managing businesses and family responsibilities, noting that cooperation within households can help reduce domestic violence, hunger and poverty. He urged entrepreneurs to identify and overcome barriers that prevent their businesses from growing and called on both men and women to support one another in their economic activities.
He also emphasised the importance of embracing a saving culture, explaining that consistent savings would enable traders to build social capital, expand their businesses and secure their financial future.
Meanwhile, market vendors led by Birahenda Benard and fellow participant Catherine Binomugisha welcomed the training, thanking CARE Uganda for equipping them with practical business knowledge they had not previously acquired.
They said they had learned important skills in proper bookkeeping, record keeping, business management, business planning, customer care, financial discipline, saving and group dynamics.
The participants pledged to put the knowledge gained into practice to improve their businesses, strengthen their households and promote unity and collective development within their communities.
The training is expected to strengthen the capacity of local entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, to build sustainable businesses, improve family incomes and contribute to poverty reduction in Rubirizi District.
Story compiled by Hon. Tugume Muzafaru, Senior News Reporter, Rubirizi.
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