In Bidibidi, Women Chose Unity, Leadership, and a Better Tomorrow

In one of the world’s largest refugee settlements, something remarkable happened. It was not the opening of a new building or the launch of a new programme  it was women choosing to believe in one another.

On 23 July 2026, NUWEBIZ Foundation, as an implementing partner of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, brought together refugee women entrepreneurs from two zones of Bidibidi Refugee Settlement to build something that would continue long after the day’s activities had ended: a stronger community of women in business.

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, helping women entrepreneurs access opportunities to grow sustainable businesses. Women from different business groups gathered with a common purpose  to create a platform where they could learn together, encourage one another, and speak with one voice. Through dialogue and shared experiences, they formed and officially established their Women Entrepreneurs Platform (WEP) before democratically electing leaders who will guide and represent them.

For many of the women, leadership was not about holding a title. It was about accepting the responsibility to uplift others, share opportunities, and ensure that no entrepreneur walks the journey alone. The day also connected the women to practical financial opportunities: Pearl Bank and Koboko United SACCO joined the engagement to provide financial literacy, explain their financial services, and introduce the GROW loan opportunities available to eligible women entrepreneurs. The discussions gave many participants renewed confidence that their businesses can move beyond survival and grow into sustainable sources of income.

As conversations continued, the atmosphere was filled with optimism. Women exchanged ideas, built new relationships, and discovered that their greatest strength lies in working together. What began as a meeting ended with a network of determined entrepreneurs ready to support one another and build stronger businesses. The newly formed Women Entrepreneurs Platform is more than a group  it is a community of hope.

It represents women choosing collaboration over isolation, leadership over uncertainty, and opportunity over limitation. Every leader elected, every woman connected, and every partnership created is another step towards stronger families, thriving businesses, and more resilient communities. When women are given the opportunity to lead, they do more than transform their own lives — they create lasting change for generations to come.