Speaker tasks Gov’t on GROW project guidelines

Access to funds under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project has continued to raise debate in Parliament with Speaker Anita Among directing the Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development to present its guidelines.

“Let us get a report on who the beneficiaries, regulations, areas so far benefited, how much was allocated and how much has been spent. We also need to know, as leaders, how do we get information on the GROW project,” she said.

She made the remarks in her communication during the plenary sitting on Monday, October 14th 2024.

The Speaker gave the Ministries of Finance and Gender, Labour and Social Development up to Thursday, October 17th 2024 to present a progress report on the project.

Pakwach District Woman Representative, Hon. Jane Avur, said that women cannot access the funds because of the unclear guidelines.

“The district focal persons say they do not have guidelines and if they do not have, where did banks get them from? Banks are asking women to have land titles while others are being asked to present photographs with their husbands. Is it only legally married women who are supposed to benefit?” asked Avur.

Hon. Naboth Namanya (FDC, Rubabo County) warned that if the guidelines are not circulated to the intended beneficiaries, then the project may not achieve the intended purpose.

“It is right that we get the Minister to explain, other than that, the GROW project money that is meant to grow women will not grow anyone,” said Namanya.

Nwoya District Woman Representative, Hon. Judith Achan said that the current guidelines do not favour rural women entrepreneurs who trade in markets.

“When they go to the bank and request for Shs5 million, they are sent back to reduce the loan amount. If the GROW project is meant to respond to factors hindering women in business, then it is not,” she said.

Hon. Christine Kaaya (NUP, Kiboga District Woman Representative) said that consideration should be made for women who are starting businesses, noting that the current requirement of existing is unfair.

“They request that after collateral, you must have an existing business for at last one year; there are many women who want to start and many do not have records, what will they show?” she wondered.

The Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Hon. Peace Mutuzo said Cabinet is handling the progress report and that it will be ready on Thursday, 17 October 2024.

“It is a concern in the general public and what you have raised here will enrich the progress report,” said Mutuuzo.

The Shs180 billion GROW project is World Bank funded and is being implemented by the Ministry of Gender in partnership with that of  Finance under the Private Sector Foundation-Uganda.

Meanwhile, Kampala Central Division MP, Hon. Muhammad Nsereko called on the gender ministry to repatriate Ugandans stuck in Lebanon following the escalation of the conflict with Israel.

“Just like other African labour migrants, Ugandans need immediate foreign service assistance to either be repatriated back or to a safe haven,” he said.

Nsereko added that the labour export companies are not supporting the Ugandans there, even after being responsible for their employment in Lebanon.

“When they refer to the companies, there are no answers except coercion. It is appalling. These are Ugandans and we owe them a duty of care,” he added.