A New Chapter of Hope for Women Entrepreneurs in Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement

Behind every small business in Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement is a woman with a story of courage, resilience, and hope. Despite the challenges of displacement, refugee women continue to work hard through their businesses to support their families and create better futures.

On 21 July 2026, NUWEBIZ Foundation, as an implementing partner of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, engaged refugee women entrepreneurs in Nyumanzi through the formation and establishment of a Women Entrepreneurs Platform (WEP). The GROW Project is an initiative of the Government of Uganda, implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) with financial support from the World Bank to strengthen economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

The engagement brought together women entrepreneurs from different groups within the settlement, with participation from Madam Dulua Christine, the Assistant Commandant of Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement. The women were sensitized on how WEPs can help them connect, share knowledge, access support, and grow their businesses.

Through a transparent democratic process, the women established their WEP and elected leaders who will represent and support entrepreneurs across the settlement. Pearl Bank, a financial implementing partner under the GROW Project, also shared information on financial services, business support, and loan opportunities available to eligible women entrepreneurs.

The NUWEBIZ team further profiled the participating women entrepreneurs by capturing their personal and business information, including their enterprises, locations, and contacts, to support future mentorship, training, and opportunities. Beyond the engagement, the team visited the settlement community and interacted with families, witnessing the daily lives of hardworking women and their children.

The smiles and excitement from the children as they welcomed the team reflected the hope and strength that exists within the community. The team also visited Nyumanzi’s main business market, where they met more women entrepreneurs who welcomed the initiative and showed interest in joining the WEP network.

The Nyumanzi engagement was more than an activity — it was a step towards giving refugee women a stronger voice, building connections, and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. When women are empowered with knowledge, networks, and opportunities, families become stronger and communities become more resilient.