Empowering Refugee Women in Palabek: A New Path Towards Economic Independence

Behind every small business in Palabek Refugee Settlement is a woman determined to rebuild her life and create a better future for her family. Despite displacement and limited opportunities, refugee women continue to demonstrate resilience through entrepreneurship.

On 20 July 2026, NUWEBIZ Foundation, as an implementing partner of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, facilitated the formation and establishment of the Women Entrepreneurs Platforms (WEPs) in Palabek Refugee Settlement. The GROW Project is an initiative of the Government of Uganda, implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) with support from the World Bank, to strengthen economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

The NUWEBIZ team began with a stakeholder engagement meeting with Commandant Madam Oyella Joyce and officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to introduce the project and highlight the importance of WEPs in empowering refugee women.

The team later engaged selected representatives from almost all ten zones of the settlement, including women from business groups, CBOs, savings groups, disability associations, and other entrepreneurial groups. Through sensitization and orientation, women learned how WEPs will provide a platform for networking, mentorship, knowledge sharing, and business growth. The women democratically elected their WEP leaders, while NUWEBIZ conducted profiling of leaders, business groups, enterprises, and locations to support future interventions under the GROW Project.

The establishment of the Women Entrepreneurs Platform marks a new chapter of hope, unity, and opportunity — helping refugee women move from vulnerability towards economic independence. By investing in women entrepreneurs, we invest in stronger families, resilient communities, and a future where women can thrive.