Annual report

UGANDA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

ASSOCIATION LTD

ANNUAL REPORT

Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Ltd

Annual Report 2011 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAIRPERSON’S STATEMENT .................................................................................... 5

UWEAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2009-2011....................................................... 8

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT............................................................... 9

UWEAL SECRETARIAT STAFF 2011............................................................................... 11

UWEAL’S PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 12

MEMBERSHIP OVERVIEW.............................................................................................. 13

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT................................................................................ 13

Human Resource........................................................................................................ 13

Communications........................................................................................................ 14

UWEAL SERVICES.......................................................................................................... 14

Summary of UWEAL Services 2011........................................................................... 14

CAPACITY BUILDING.................................................................................................... 16

UWEAL beyond Kampala Boarders........................................................................... 16

ACCESS! for African Businesswomen in International Trade....................................... 16

The ACCESS! Business Training Component................................................................... 17

The ACCESS! Business Counseling Component............................................................. 17

Building the Expertise of Women in the Handcrafts Sector....................................... 18

Advocacy Training....................................................................................................... 19

Developing Leaders through Mentorship................................................................... 19

An Insight into Women Owned Enterprises, the Business Diagnostic Surveys.......... 20

The Business Diagnostic Surveys................................................................................. 20

Impact Survey.............................................................................................................. 20

Women Becoming Suppliers to Large Organizations................................................. 21

NETWORKING.............................................................................................................. 21

Facilitating learning through Business to Business (B2B) Exchange Program............. 21

The Role of Women in Socio- Economic Development............................................. 22

East African Women Entrepreneurs Exchange Network (EAWEExN)...................... 23

East African Women in Business Platform, East African Business Council................. 24

UWEAL as the Focal Point for the Africa Businesswomen’s Network (ABWN)

in Uganda.................................................................................................................... 24


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UWEAL Members Scoop the International Alliance for Women (TIAW) Awards..... 25

ADVOCACY..................................................................................................................... 26

Building a Favorable Business Environment for Women in Uganda............................ 26

UWEAL PROGRAMS....................................................................................................... 27

Summary of UWEAL Programs 2011.......................................................................... 27

Raising Future Stars ..................................................................................................... 28

Breakfast Meetings...................................................................................................... 28

The Corporate Ambassadors Program (CAP)............................................................ 29

Month of the Women Entrepreneur (MOWE)........................................................... 30

Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner............................................................................... 31

Access to finance for women through the WIC SACCO........................................... 32

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31ST DECEMBER 2011................... 33

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2011....................................................................................................... 34



CHAIRPERSON’S STATEMENT

Dear Members,

Welcome to the 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM). It has been a long and fruitful year that has seen us through different encounters, uplifting the status of our members and branding UWEAL on the local, regional and international scene. It is my privilege to present to you a review of our 2011 achievements.

I will start by thanking the outgoing Board of Directors for their dedicated service throughout their term of office. Your commitment to serving the association and its members has resulted in tangible deliverables which are deeply appreciated. I encourage you to continue working closely with UWEAL in your individual

capacities as members.

I also take this opportunity to thank the UWEAL Secretariat particularly the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the good leadership that has facilitated the positive changes in improved service delivery which UWEAL is currently experiencing. One of the areas to improvement as recommended by the Board of Directors of 2009 from whom we took over, was governance and secretariat strengthening. I am pleased to inform you that the governance and management and reporting systems and structures of UWEAL have greatly improved, communication channels are now in place to ensure smooth information flow and membership is on the rise as programs are now more tailored for maximum reach and impact. Program activities are well attended as a result and the membership growth.

We attracted seventy-two (72) new members in 2011 compared to forty- one (41) in 2010, and by 31st December, 2011 UWEAL had one hundred seventy-one (171) paid up members as compared to sixty-nine (69) in 2010. By category, we had seven (7) new women groups, one hundred sixty four (164) ordinary paid up members. Allow me to appreciate the support and contributions of the development partners who have continued to support UWEAL to deliver services to you members and these include Vital Voices, CDE, ITC Geneva, ILO and all MOWE partners.

When we took over office in 2009, my desire was to expand our services to the chapters in high gear. We however experienced challenges due to undefined relationship between the chapters and chapter basic institutional capacities were lacking. Efforts have been made to extend our services to chapters and during our term of office, three (3) new chapters were established which includes Mpigi, Bushenyi and Mbarara. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for streamlining and defining chapter relationship with UWEAL was designed and discussed with chapter leaders during a UWEAL chapter leadership retreat. We shall request this meeting to pass a resolution for implementation of this MoU. We believe


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the new BOD will be able role out rural outreach activities in accordance with strategic plan 2009- 2014. As part of future plans which we shall detail in handover report, we urge the incoming BOD to implement the recommendations of the report on NAADS in order to reach out to chapters.

The theme for the year 2011 was ‘Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Networks” and this was demonstrated mostly during Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE), a national event that endeavors to celebrate the woman entrepreneurial spirit. In March 2011, UWEAL won the bid to be the Lead Coordinator of MOWE in Uganda for three years after a rigorous and competitive selection process by International Labor Organization (ILO). For the first time ever different women organization celebrated MOWE in a very strategic partnership by participating and leading activities such as awareness creation campaigns, enterprise skills trainings, advocacy forums, award dinners, networking events and exhibitions under the leadership of UWEAL. The benefit to us was that we learnt that for us to make meaningful impact to women entrepreneurs we need to create strategic partnership. I wish to congratulate all those members who won awards during the Awards dinner for the year 2011 which was hosted by UWEAL in partnership with iCON.

I am also happy to report that we completed loan repayments for UWEAL Lugogo House despite the challenges we went through with contractors and consultants of the project. UWEAL now fully owns two (2) properties and a plot of two (2) acres in Namanve. It is our prayer that the in-coming BOD will be able to develop Namanve as well and some ideas of what to utilize the acres have already discussed.

We continued to provide capacity development services during the year and networking opportunities to the member’s details of which are this report. We request members to be strategic in the participation of these programs for effective benefit.

UWEAL brings women entrepreneurs under one umbrella to share their experiences and benefit from available capacity building and networking opportunities. In 2011, the networking highlight was the Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE), a national event that celebrates the woman entrepreneurial spirit. In March 2011, UWEAL won the bid to be the Lead Coordinator of MOWE in Uganda for three years after a rigorous and competitive selection process by International Labor Organization (ILO). MOWE was celebrated under the theme, ‘Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Networks’ and included a combination of awareness creation campaigns, enterprise skills trainings, advocacy forums, award dinners, networking events and exhibitions by women entrepreneurs.

UWEAL in partnership with iCON Women and Young People’s Leadership Academy co-hosted the Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner which is an annual UWEAL celebration organized to recognize outstanding women entrepreneurs. This prestigious event was successfully held on 26th November, 2011 at Imperial Royale Hotel.

I am also happy to report that UWEAL’s advocacy project on women’s access to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) program continued with positive results despite limited resources.



On the regional level, UWEAL participated in several networking events and seminars such as the Eastern African Women Entrepreneurs Exchange Network (EAWEExN) meeting that took place from 3rd October, 2011 to 5th October, 2011, where UWEAL was selected to be the General Secretary for the regional association whose headquarters are in Bujumbura, Burundi.

UWEAL is also a founder member of the Executive Committee for the Women in Business Platform which has its seat at the East African Business Council in Arusha, Tanzania. The platform aims to increase the participation of women entrepreneurs in regional trade. It is my great pleasure to report that eight (8) UWEAL members were nominated and won The International Alliance for Women (TIAW), world of difference100 Awards which recognize outstanding individuals that have contributed to community and economic development. Congratulations to the winners!

I conclude by thanking all UWEAL members and partners for the generous support you have provided to UWEAL and also to my Board for the past three years. It has been a great pleasure serving you. As we celebrate 25 years of UWEAL, I appeal to you to keep supporting the great cause of women empowerment.

Thank you and God bless you.

Jennifer Mwijukye Chairperson


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UWEAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2009-2011

Dorothy TumaVice Chairperson

Hannah NamuyombaBoard Member (H/R)

Eleanor BageineGeneral Secretary

Margret KulabaBoard Member (Chapters)

Jennifer MwijukyeChaiperson

Pauline OfongPublicity Secretary

Mabel KiggunduTreasurer

Patricia Babukiika Board Member

(Young Entrepreneurs)



CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S STATEMENT

Dear Esteemed Members,

Greetings from UWEAL Secretariat! Happy New Year!

Thank you for your support and commitment to UWEAL through your collaborative efforts and initiatives which contributed to a successful 2011. I would like to thank the outgoing Board of Directors for an outstanding job in shaping UWEAL and for their commitment to stay the course. Thank you for all your support during 2011 towards our efforts to transition into a new and more vibrant UWEAL. I extend my appreciation to my

staff for their dedication in achieving UWEAL’s Vision and its Corporate Goals.

At the Secretariat level, I am pleased to report that we have streamlined our communication processes to ensure effective service delivery. Internal communication has been streamlined to ensure uniformity, consistency and proactive management of challenges of daily operations. Improved reporting systems and a new culture of management by objectives were introduced to encourage accountability, monitor performance and overall implementation of set goals on a corporate level. In addition, we have ensured that all our communication points with external stakeholders are functional and have also updated our Customer Relationship Management System (CRM) to reflect basic information on our membership. I therefore call upon all our members to provide us with updated profiles and any other relevant information.

On a program level, we have taken steps to ensure that our members receive tailored programs that are relevant to their business and personal development needs. In 2011, these among others, included: a Leadership and Management training for leaders of Women Entrepreneurs Associations and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Lira district, ACCESS! for African Businesswomen in International Trade, Entrepreneurship in Handcrafts training, the Mentoring program, Business Diagnostic Surveys, Member and Corporate Breakfast meetings, Supplier Diversity, the Girl Entrepreneurship Program and the Corporate Ambassadors Program.

Networking is one of the competitive advantages of UWEAL. The highlight in 2011 was the successful coordination and implementation of the Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE). I take this opportunity to thank all MOWE partners for their support and collaboration in making the event a success.

In 2011, UWEAL continued to implement its advocacy strategy on women’s access to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) program. UWEAL conducted a research on the gaps and constraints to women’s participation and benefit from the NAADS program


Annual Report 201110

in the districts of Bugiri, Bushenyi, Lira and Luwero and held a number of workshops and a policy dialogue to create awareness on the issues identified.

The year 2011 did not pass without challenges. Key to note was the limited resources to implement key outreach programs, membership retention and members’ low response to provide updated profiles. On this note, UWEAL has devised means of dealing with the challenges including introducing programs that are sector based, holding corporate breakfast meetings - a key recruitment source, we have started on streamlining our district chapters to improve service delivery upcountry and are planning to develop a fundraising strategy to guide our resource mobilization process and make it more effective.

I call upon all UWEAL members to continue supporting the association and look forward to an exciting and productive 2012, where together, we will move mountains as women entrepreneurs.

Thank you and God bless you

Stella Maris Ddumba SewagabaCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER



UWEAL SECRETARIAT STAFF 2011

Geoffrey Stephen BaziraFinance and Administration

Manager

Peter KalindaInvestment Manager

Mrs. Stella Maris D.SewagabaChief Executive Officer

Dorothy KanduhukyeInformation and

Memership Officer

Gloria InzizuAdministrative

Assitant

Mercy Babirye Program officer

Sanyu MugerwaAccounts Assitant

Guido GanduCare Taker

Monica MalegaAdvocacy Officer

Christine AgeloAccounts Assistant, WIC

Annet AtukwasibweOffice Assitant



UWEAL’S PROFILE

Vision

Envisage a wealthy woman responsibly contributing to national economic development.

Mission

Empower women to create wealth through capacity building, networking and advocacy.

Goals

To promote networking and positioning of UWEAL.

To build the Secretariat’s capacity to provide member services.

To equip rural women to harness available business opportunities.

To develop relevant programs for UWEAL members.

To develop institutional sustainability initiatives.

Objectives

To train, mentor and counsel women to start, sustain and grow their businesses.

To support product development, provide Business Development Services (BDS) and facilitate linkages to markets.

To build women entrepreneurs’ capacity to access both local and international markets.

To support business women networking exchanges and mentorship forums.

To support the Women Investment Club (WIC) and promote a savings and investment culture while encouraging the growth and sustainability of women entrepreneurs’ businesses



MEMBERSHIP OVERVIEW

UWEAL is a membership based association which includes women entrepreneurs, aspiring business women, professional women, women groups and businesses that are co-owned or managed by women from various sectors including handcrafts, agriculture, manufacturing, services, textiles, among others.UWEAL paid up membership grew to one hundred seventy one (171) members by December 2011 compared to sixty nine (69) in 2010. UWEAL membership is spread throughout Uganda and includes members from Bugiri, Bushenyi, Gulu, Jinja, Kabale, Kampala, Lira, Luwero, Mpigi and Soroti. In 2012, UWEAL wil endeavor to streamline its chapters to better improve services through the outreach program. The businesses range from micro to small, medium and large enterprises. UWEAL’s main focus is to empower women economically and enhance their participation in national development through capacity building, networking and advocacy.

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Human Resource

The year 2011 brought on board new highly experienced and professional staff that joined the management of UWEAL. UWEAL recruited a new Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Stella Maris Ddumba Sewagaba, a management professional with unique skill set embracing project management and Information technology and over fifteen (15) years of progressive international professional work experience. Since her recruitment, the association has registered tremendous achievements and improvements, professionalizing the institution and its operations and ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.

The human resource function was professionalized with the introduction of staff identification badges and performance management objectives systems. The staff job profiles and reporting structures were revised and streamlined to ensure alignment to corporate strategic objectives and facilitate effective monitoring and evaluation of programs. UWEAL staff continued to receive on-job training and mentoring to ensure efficient service delivery. The association also redesigned its internship program to create value for both UWEAL and its interns.

UWEAL also brought on board a professional Finance and Administration Manager, Mr. Geoffrey Stephen Bazira, with wide experience in accounting. He has put in place financial best practice systems and structures that have seen UWEAL streamline its finances.

The Staff of Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL) 2011



The Women Investment Club (WIC) also contracted a new Investment Manager, Mr. Peter Kalinda and Accounts Assistant, Christine Agelo in 2011, whose contribution has made the WIC/SACCO more professional leading to increased membership. WIC is now more sustainable and independent.

Communications

In 2011, UWEAL streamlined its internal operations in a bid to increase proficiency, productivity and embrace professionalism in the quest for seamless service delivery

UWEAL made improvements to its communication and information systems by upgrading its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system which is currently the UWEAL main database on members. It also redesigned the website to make it more interactive and establishing a Local Area Network (LAN).

UWEAL SERVICES

Summary of UWEAL Services 2011

Activities Participants Results Service

Governance Training 26• Four (4) UWEAL trainers

certified by ILOCapacity Building

ACCESS! for African Businesswomen in International Trade (ACCESS!)

166

• Four (4) enterprises selected to move on to the Market Access phase

• Seventeen (17) trained in International Trade

• Eleven (11) consultants trained in “Gender Issues for Trainers”

• One hundred fourteen (114)participnats in the Information Session

Capacity Building

Entrepreneurs in Handcrafts (EinH) Program

28• Five (5) TOT participants and

thirteen 13 local trainees Capacity Building

Mentorship program 28• Fourteen (14) mentors and

fourteen (14) menteesCapacity Building

Advocacy Training 23• Six (6) district chapter leaders,

three (3) board members, five (5) staff and nine (9) members

Capacity Building

Business Diagnostics Studies

50

• 50 member women-owned enterprises surveyed

• One (1) dissemination workshop held with eighty (80) participants

Capacity Building



Impact survey 50 • 50 UWEAL members surveyed Capacity Building

Supplier Diversity Training

6• One (1) training held with six (6)

participantsCapacity Building

Business to Business (B2B) Exchange Program

60

• Ten (10) guests from Ethiopia and Tanzania hosted

• One (1) workshop held with thirty (30) participants

• B2B exchange visits organized to four (4) UWEAL member business enterprises

• One (1) networking reception held with 24 participants)

Networking

Rwanda Women Conference on ‘Enhancing the Role of Women in Socio–Economic Development’

15• Ten (10) UWEAL exhibitors,

three (3) Board members, two (2) UWEAL staff

Networking

East African Women Entrepreneurs Exchange Network (EAWEExN)

5

• One (1) Board member, two (2) chapter leaders, one (1) UWEAL member and one (1) UWEAL staff

Networking

Africa Businesswomen’s Network (ABWN)

3

• Two (2) bi-annual meetings attended

• Three (3) Board members and one (1) staff

Networking

The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) Awards

8• Seven (7) UWEAL members and

one (1) Trustee awardedNetworking

Research 300• One (1) report and one (1)

policy brief producedAdvocacy

Dissemination and validation workshops

295

• Two (2) dissemination workshops in Kampala (93) and four (4) upcountry validation workshops held: Bugiri (45 participants), Bushenyi (62 participants), Luwero (35 participants) and Lira (60 participants)

Advocacy

Policy Dialogue 64• One (1) policy dialogue with

sixty four (64) participants heldAdvocacy



CAPACITY BUILDING

UWEAL beyond Kampala Boarders

As part of its rural outreach strategy, UWEAL conducted a Leadership and Management training for its district chapter leaders and Women Entrepreneurs Associations (WEAs) in Lira in May, 2011. The training which took place from 2nd May, 2011 to 4th May, 2011 at Gracious Palace Hotel, aimed at building the leadership and management capacities of rural women entrepreneurs.

It exposed leaders to best practices in governance and building successful associations with the overall goal of increasing access for rural business women to quality business development programs.

Twenty six (26) leaders from seven (7) WEAs and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) including UWEAL district chapter leaders of Lira and Gulu participated. The training was administered using International Labour Organization’s (ILO) WEA Capacity Building Guide, a governance tool that was designed to assist WEAs in managing and improving their associations and help mainstream small business associations in reaching out to women entrepreneurs as potential members. This training was funded by ILO through its Women Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality (WEDGE) project and Vital Voices Global Partnership.

Due to their excellent performance, all four (4) UWEAL trainers that participated in the program received public recognition and formal certification from ILO at the Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner which was held on 27th November, 2011.

ACCESS! for African Businesswomen in International Trade

ACCESS! for African Businesswomen in International Trade (ACCESS!) is a regional capacity building effort organized under the program for building African Capacity for Trade (PACT) and covering nineteen (19) sub-Saharan African countries. The program has been jointly executed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva and a local partner in each participating country. In Uganda, UWEAL is the implementing agency. ACCESS! targets women owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), focusing particularly on enhancing enterprise competitiveness, and promoting concrete business opportunities with a view to support private sector development in developing countries.

1st person from the left, Eleanor Bageine, Fourth from the Left, Pauline Ofong, during a visit at a

participant’s premises



The main objectives of the ACCESS! enterprise support development program are: strengthening the capacities of women owned SMEs, developing networks of partners, providing access to foreign markets and promoting the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in business. These objectives were pursued through Exporter Training, Business Counseling, Access to Markets and Access to Trade Information. The 2011 program was delivered in two (2) components namely:

The ACCESS! Business Training Component

UWEAL has been the Uganda ACCESS! Focal Point since 2006 and to date, over one hundred twenty (120) UWEAL members have benefitted from the ACCESS! program. Preparations for the ACCESS! Implementation began in January, 2011 with the development of a National Implementation Strategy.

Participants were selected after the ACCESS! Information Session which was held on 11th February, 2011 at Hotel Africana. The rigorous communication and information dissemination exercise attracted one hundred fourteen (114) people to the event after which interested participants completed application forms. The ACCESS! business training workshops were held from 24th to 25th March, 2011 and from 5th to 6th of May, 2011 respectively.

The ACCESS! Business Counseling Component

The ACCESS! training was followed by the launch of the business counseling component on 12th May, 2011 after which a half day Business Strategy training event followed. Participants included the 2011 ACCESS! training participants, business counseling participants, UWEAL development partners and UWEAL Board of Directors. In attendance were the ITC Senior Training Officer, Christian Planchette and a representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC), Patrick Okilangole

As part of the launch activities, the National Lead Trainer and the ITC Senior Training Officer held a training session on “Gender Issues for Trainers” for the eleven (11) consultants who were interested in serving as advisors under the business counselling component.

The Business Counseling results (funnel below) indicates that twenty four (24) enterprises were selected for Business Counseling, out of which four (4) qualified for the Market Access Phase. The four (4) enterprises include:

• Your Choice Agro Processors Ltd in the Sector of processed Cereals and Grains

• Kwetu Africa Ltd in the sector of Art and Handicraft

• Textile Development Agency (TEXDA) in the field of African Textiles

• Shalom Organic Farm in the agricultural sector



Building the Expertise of Women in the Handcrafts Sector

The Entrepreneurs in Handcrafts (EinH) Development Program, an initiative of Vital Voices Global Partnership funded by ExxonMobil Foundation, is a new program that was introduced to Uganda in May, 2011 for women in the handcrafts sector. The program aims at providing women entrepreneurs with handcraft product development, management, business

The Access! Business Counseling Process in Uganda – Funnel results

Participants in the EinH Local Training at Grand Imperial Hotel. The 2nd person from the right at the front is Zoe Dean-Smith, Senior Director of the Vital Voices EinH Development Program



development, marketing and communication skills with the expectation that they will be able to expand their businesses, create jobs, and achieve a larger share of the international market for their products.

UWEAL was privileged to host the first Entrepreneurs in Handcrafts (EinH) Training of Trainers (TOT) in Sub-Saharan Africa in May, 2011. The TOT took place from 9th May to 17t

May , 2011 at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Entebbe and attracted fifteen (15) participants from Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda.

UWEAL later on rolled out the week long EinH program in August, 2011 at Grand Imperial Hotel with thirteen (13) participants. The goal of the training was to prepare Ugandan women entrepreneurs in the handcrafts sector to compete successfully on the global market by enhancing their product development and business management competencies with knowledge that is world class and relevant to the needs of the local, regional and international markets.

Advocacy Training In order to strengthen the capacity of the association to effectively advocate, twenty three (23) people including UWEAL Board members, staff, chapter leaders and members were trained in advocacy in December, 2011. The training was conducted by Council for Economic Empowerment for Women in Africa-Uganda (CEEWA-U). UWEAL made some real gains from this training and interactions, among which included a skilled work force and membership that will play a paramount role in enhancing its advocacy agenda.

Developing Leaders through Mentorship

Yvonne Finch a consultant with Vital Voices Global partnership at the training for Mentors and Mentees

The UWEAL 2011 Mentorship Program was launched in June. The program aimed at supporting members’ growth through the volunteer services of established women entrepreneurs in a mentoring role. Mentoring has proven to be a significant factor in business, skills and career development and offers a unique opportunity for two (2) individuals, who otherwise might



not form a relationship, to meet and exchange valuable information. It is a quick route to skills transfer and is accelerating empowerment in the overall workplace today, as well as giving both Mentor and Mentee the chance to connect regularly for knowledge sharing sessions.

The key objectives of the 2011 Mentorship Program were to match competent, committed and growth oriented Mentors with like-minded Mentees, ensuring that the parties complement each other for deeper bonding and understanding.

The mentorship program began with training for mentors and mentees respectively and was aimed at ensuring that the process is managed in an efficient and effective manner. The program which took the form of six (6) one-hour sessions for a period of six (6) months targeted twenty (28) participants. In the same spirit, UWEAL partnered with TechnoServe Uganda to provide training, coaching and mentoring for some of its members.

An Insight into Women Owned Enterprises

The Business Diagnostic Surveys

In 2011, UWEAL received its first draft report on the fifty (50) Business Diagnostic Surveys carried out by expert consultants to assess women entrepreneurs’ specific needs in order for UWEAL to offer business development services that are demand driven. The overall objective of the project was to identify the growth and capacity gaps of UWEAL’s women-owned enterprises and to enable the association provide relevant strategic capacity development interventions that will enable women entrepreneurs make significant contributions to the economy.

Following the release of the Business Diagnostics Survey project draft report, on 23rd July, 2011, members of UWEAL were hosted to an Information Dissemination workshop at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala. The main objective of the workshop was to disseminate findings of the draft report to the diagnosed fifty (50) member enterprises, consultants and stakeholders with a view of receiving feedback and reactions on the report findings.

Eighty (80) participants including women entrepreneurs, government officials and development partners attended and were informed about the state of women owned businesses and how women can raise their business standards and widen their playing field so as to position and achieve competitiveness on the global market. Emphasis was directed to the strategy, production, marketing and transaction capabilities especially in the two (2) identified sectors of handcrafts and agro-processing. The event was officiated by the Minister of State for Gender Hon. Lukia Isanga Nakadama who thanked UWEAL for the initiative and called upon women to take advantage of government’s full support and backing for programs and initiatives that seek to promote women’s empowerment and development in all sectors.

Impact Survey

In June 2010, UWEAL began a process of surveying fifty (50) of its most active members in a bid to understand their businesses, identify gaps and challenges to their growth and success and formulate interventions and areas of improvement for UWEAL in its programs and services so as to ensure that members’ needs and demands are fully met and satisfied.



With support from Vital Voices Global Partnership and ExxonMobil Foundation, a follow up survey was conducted from June to July 2011 with UWEAL members.

This has become one of the most vital annual activities of the association highlighting critical issues that can be used to benchmark UWEAL best practices and improve service delivery.

Women Becoming Suppliers to Large Organizations

Following the Training of Trainers that was held in Ghana in August 2010, UWEAL rolled out the Supplier Diversity Program in Uganda in November, 2011. The training was funded by Vital Voices Global Partnership and ExxonMobil Foundation and aimed at building the capacity of women entrepreneurs to sustainably increase their revenue through the supply of goods and services to multi-national companies (MNCs), government and other non

government entities. The training was held at Imperial Royale Hotel on 14th November, 2011 and attracted the participation of business women from the agricultural, education and transport sectors.

NETWORKING

As one of its core objectives, networking is paramount at UWEAL. Networks are created locally, regionally and internationally where women are engaged in exchange programs, trade shows, business forums, among others to exchange ideas and contacts vital to their respective businesses. UWEAL therefore, acts as a conduit through which members get access to information, strategic networks and markets.

Facilitating learning through Business to Business (B2B) Exchange Program

A staff of Perfect Roses Farm teaching women entrepreneurs on how to do budding for rose flowers



In January, 2011, UWEAL hosted ten (10) women entrepreneurs from Tanzania and Ethiopia in a peer to peer visit with the main purpose of learning from UWEAL’s successes and deepening understanding of the needs of other associations in Africa. The visit which took place from 19th January, 2011 to 21st January, 2011 was geared towards promoting networking and sharing best practices across the region. The visitors interacted with pioneer women entrepreneurs, the Ugandan business community, research institutions and some of our development partners and shared ideas on how to build strong and sustainable WEAs, invest in real estate as a source of financial security for associations and exploit existing export markets

The Business to Business (B2B) exchange visit included a two (2) day networking workshop which attracted thirty (30) participants, a tour of four (4) UWEAL members’ business premises including Perfect Roses Farm in Mukono, Kinawataka Women Initiatives, Nina Interiors Limited and Café Pap in Kampala. A reception in honor of the guests was organized at Reedfields Apartments in Nakasero to conclude the exchange visit.

The event came to a close on 21st January 2011 with a training on networking which was facilitated by Lin MacDevit a consultant from The Netherlands.

By the end of the event each participating Intermediary Organization had been equiped with the capacity to create strong Public and Private Partnerships and greater capacity to collaborate in the development of strategies. The entire event was funded by the European Union through its ProInvest program.

The Role of Women in Socio- Economic Development

The year 2011 saw the East African Community (EAC) organize a women’s conference on ‘Enhancing the Role of Women in Socio–Economic Development’ in Kigali, Rwanda in August, 2011. This was the very first meeting of its kind organized in the East African region.

From left to right: Benedicta Nanyoga, Racheal Kemirembe and Rusia Orikiriza, all members of

UWEAL, displaying their products at the exhibition

The overall goal of the conference was to bring together East African business women to explore the opportunities and challenges offered by the EAC Common Market, promote regional entrepreneurship, build networks & enhance economic empowerment. H. E. the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, officiated at the opening session of the Conference which drew participants from Ministries of Trade, Gender and Development in the EAC Partner States, women entrepreneurs from the Partner states, the East African Business Council (EABC), Private Sector Apex Bodies, Civil Society Organizations, the



Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Council of Ministers and the East African Legislative Assembly.

In his closing remarks, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Uganda, Hon. Eriya Kategaya noted that it is high time for the EAC to prioritize gender & women related issues as one of the main economic development strategies. The following were noted as key for the integration process to succeed: • Women’s role ought to be incorporated in EAC programs

• Partner States should promote women key achievements & discourage discrimination • Policies that favor women should be promoted • Information dissemination• Consult women leaders at various levels• Resource mobilization to enhance the role of women in business and mentor young

female entrepreneurs • The East African Community Secretariat should coordinate women particularly those in

the informal sector

An exhibition of sixty (60) women from the four (4) East African countries of whom fifteen (15) were UWEAL members was organized to allow participating women entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services and exchange knowledge on how to penetrate the international market.

East African Women Entrepreneurs Exchange Network (EAWEExN)

The sixth (6th) East African Women Entrepreneurs Exchange Network (EAWEExN) conference took place in Bujumbura, Burundi from 28th September, 2011 to 29th September, 2011. Organized by the Association des Femmes Entrepreneurs du Burundi, the conference brought together a total of thirty five (35) delegates from seven (7) East African countries namely: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

The conference mainly aimed at setting up an institutional structure for EAWEExN and making it operational with the main objectives of translating recommendations from the 2010 EAWEExN conference held in Nairobi into actionable items, establishing a regional coordination office, mobilizing funds for rural women’s initiatives in entrepreneurship and elaborating a strategic action plan (2012-2015) for EAWEExN.

The major outcomes of the conference included: signing of the Statutes for EAWEExN where Bujumbura was selected to host the EAWEExN Secretatariat, selection of the EAWEExN Executive and delegates where UWEAL was selected as EAWEExN Secretary General, drawing a consensus on short term activities (the establishment of the Secretariat, creation and circulation of a template for committee Terms of Reference and an action plan and creation and circulation of a template for collection of data on women entrepreneurs) and announcement of Tanzania as the host of the 2012 EAWEExN conference.



East African Women in Business Platform, East African Business Council

In November 2011, UWEAL joined several other East African women entrepreneur associations at a workshop in Arusha to develop the Strategic Plan for the newly launched East African Women in Business Platform. Hosted at the East African Business Council in Arusha, the platform’s goal is to see the increased engagement of East Africa’s women entrepreneurs in the East African integration process and in regional trade. UWEAL has a seat on the platform’s Executive Council.

UWEAL as the Focal Point for the Africa Businesswomen’s Network (ABWN) in Uganda

The Africa Businesswomen’s Network (ABWN) is a partnership between local business women’s associations throughout Africa, Vital Voices Global Partnership and ExxonMobil Foundation. The ABWN goal is to accelerate economic growth for women to improve the quality of life on the continent.

Participants at a cocktail organized by Nigeria’s business women’s association during the ABWN Bi-Annual Meeting in Nigeria

ABWN works closely with UWEAL to spearhead and accelerate the economic well being of women through various programs. As a partner and representative in Uganda, UWEAL has actively participated in ABWN activities in a bid to cement its partnership with the association as well as identify and expand business opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Uganda. In



2011, UWEAL took part in two (2) strategic planning meetings aimed at identifying practical interventions for ensuring sustainable growth for its member business women’s associations and a tangible impact on business development. The bi-annual meetings took place in Nairobi, Kenya (February, 2011) and Lagos, Nigeria (July, 2011). ABWN currently has its operations in six (6) member business women associations from Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Uganda. In Uganda, UWEAL is the Network Hub and has already realized valuable gains from this relationship which include among others capacity building, organizational development and networking opportunities. UWEAL Members Scoop the International Alliance for Women (TIAW) Awards

The year 2011 was a year of advancement and increased visibility for UWEAL members. The International Alliance for Women (TIAW), a global umbrella organization that unites, supports and promotes professional women and their networks to work together, share resources and leverage ideas, awarded seven (7) UWEAL members and one(1) UWEAL Trustee the TIAW World of Difference 100 Awards.

The TIAW World of Difference 100 Award recognizes one hundred (100) amazing individuals in the world whose efforts have advanced the economic empowerment of women locally, regionally or worldwide whether they are well known or “unsung heroines”. All members were invited to Washington DC and hosted to a dinner organized by TIAW in October 2011. UWEAL congratulates the individuals below for this great achievement.

Name Award Category

Acham Elungat Ketty Hellen Community

Kahara-Kawuki Audrey Education

Kasule Rehmah Entrepreneurial

Eleanor Kembabazi Byarugaba Entrepreneurial

Lwanga Florence Entrepreneurial

Mbire Tereza Entrepreneurial

Mulwana James (UWEAL Trustee) Champion of Women’s Economic Empowerment

Orikiriza Bariho Uganda Young Women Leaders



ADVOCACY

Building a Favorable Business Environment for Women in Uganda

While capacity building is critical in an attempt to help business women succeed, these efforts may easily go to waste if critical issues affecting performance or ability to perform are not addressed. For this reason, UWEAL engages in advocacy with the purpose of creating a conducive business environment for women owned businesses. In 2011, our focus was on addressing the gaps and challenges to women’s participation and benefit from the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) program. This was to ensure that relevant stakeholders develop practical solutions or interventions to address the identified issues.

UWEAL expanded its advocacy research in May, 2011 to Bugiri, Bushenyi and Luwero as a follow up to a case study conducted in Lira district in December, 2010. The findings of the research were disseminated in validation workshops at various locations including Kampala on 21st January, 2011 and 20th September, 2011, Bugiri on 28th October, 2011, Bushenyi on 8th November, 2011, Luwero on 11th November, 2011 and Lira on 21st December 2011.

The association further engaged stakeholders in a policy dialogue held at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala on 17th November, 2011 to discuss policy options for improving women’s participation and benefit from NAADS. The workshop attracted sixty four (64) participants from the private and public sectors. The main speakers at the event were Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko - Uganda’s former Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Industry and former representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to China, Mongolia and the Democratic Republic of North Korea, Ms. Faith Ntombikayise Msimang, MD Peulwana Agricultural Financial Services of South Africa and Ms. Celena Green, Vital Voices Africa, Program Officer from the United States of America.



UWEAL PROGRAMS

Sammary of UWEAL Programs 2011

Program Participants Resultas

Girl Entrepreneurship

Program480

• One (1) visit to St. Josephs S.S.S,Nsambya, three hundred (300) students and another to Mariam High School, one hundred eighty (180) students

Breakfast Meetings

378

• Four (4) member breakfast meetings held: Competitiveness in a Highly Dynamic Business Environment-seventy (70) participants, Taxation-twenty four (24) participants, Personal Finance-fifty (50) participants, Marketing Your Business-forty four (44) participants, Public Image and Etiquette-thirty five (35) participants.

• Two (2) corporate breakfast meetings held: Break the Routine: Start a Supplementary Business and Achieve Financial Independence- one hundred (100) participants, and Positioning Yourself for Personal and Business Success-fifty five (55) participants

Corporate Ambassadors

Program (CAP)148

• A study tour to National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge, twenty eight (28) participants

• A business visit to Gudie Leisure Farm-forty (40) participants

• A Networking Reception at the American Deputy Chief of Mission’s residence-eighty (80) participants

Month of the Woman

Entrepreneur (MOWE)

714

• One (1) exchange visit-fourteen (14) participants• One (1) mentoring walk-five hundred (500) participants • One (1) exhibition-thirty (30) participants • One Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner-one seventy (170)

participants• One Graduation Ceremony-two hundred eighteen (218)

participants• Eight (8) trainings-50 participants, an awareness week-

one hundred (100) participants, an advocacy workshop- fifty (50) participants and a Women’s Forum-seven hundred (700) participants.

Access to Finance for Women

through the WIC /SACCO

64

• Brought on board a new group of fifty (50) members and 14 individual members

• Two (2) new staff recruited • Paid off an external loan of fifty million (50m) from

Microfinance Support Centre Limited (MSCL)• Joined Uganda Central Cooperative Financial Services

Limited (UCCFS)



Media Relations49

appearances

• Three (3) print media appearances• Thirty(30) news features on television (NTV,

UBC,RECORD, NBS and WBS)• Twenty eight (28) annoucements of UWEAL activities• One (1) staff appearance on an Executive nes clip (NTV)

Raising Future Stars

As part of its strategy of empowering the next generation of women with business and entrepreneurial skills, UWEAL regularly organizes visits to secondary, tertiary and university institutions where successful business women share their entrepreneurial and business knowledge with students and teaching staff.

During the second half of 2011, UWEAL organized visits to St. Joseph’s Girls S.S.S, Nsambya and Mariam High School, Kisaasi where both students and members of staff were hosted to inspiring entrepreneurial talks by our own successful business women. The sessions were attended by more than three hundred (300) senior one and two students and one hundred eighty (180) senior five and six students respectively. Students were excited about the opportunity to learn about the other side of being self employed and being job creators rather than job seekers.

The presentations built the students’ self esteem and self reliance, giving them an opportunity to dream for the future with a vision for their lives, set goals and develop plans and strategies for achieving them.. The speakers gave tips on how young people can generate worthwhile income for themselves and create wealth. Teachers appreciated the presentations which they said made entrepreneurship practical for the students

At St. Joseph’s, the UWEAL team visited the Entrepreneurship Centre where students make different items including washing and powdered soap, beverages, snacks like samosas, cookies and cakes for sale to the school community.

UWEAL has further developed an entrepreneurship training manual and curriculum for use during the school term. The curriculum includes practical sessions which will be monitored by UWEAL, self evaluation packages, monitoring and impact assessments.

Breakfast Meetings

Throughout the years UWEAL has always fronted the need for women to network with other business women especially those in the corporate sector. It is for this reason and many others that in the year 2011, UWEAL began hosting corporate breakfast meetings to create a platform for women entrepreneurs to interact and exchange ideas with corporate women from different sectors like banks, telecommunications companies, Civil Society Organizations and other private and public institutions. The specific objective of these meetings is to encourage women in the corporate world to think about starting small businesses that they can run as a source of extra income which in turn could ascertain a more secure future.

UWEAL held two (2) Corporate Breakfast meetings on 27th September, 2011 and 14th December, 2011. The topics focused on creating alternative sources of income and setting



personal and business goals. The breakfasts were facilitated by Rev. Diana Mirembe Barlow-Nkesiga and Ms. Victoria Sekitoleko respectively.

UWEAL also held four (4) member breakfast meetings where experts from different fields presented on a wide range of topics including; - Competitiveness in a Highly Dynamic Business Environment, Taxation, Marketing Your Business, Personal Finance , Public Image and Social Etiquette. The breakfast meetings were attended by three hundred seventy eight (378) women entrepreneurs.

The Corporate Ambassadors Program (CAP)

The instructor at Namulonge leading the members in the agriculture group through the tour

UWEAL’s 2011 Corporate Ambassadors Program (CAP) aimed at promoting the role of women in agriculture. CAP is an initiative of the Vital Voices’ Africa Businesswomen’s Network (ABWN) which facilitates small delegations of U.S.A and International Women CEOs and Senior Executives to network with business women in African countries, discuss critical business topics of interest and exchange knowledge and experiences with their local counterparts. As the focal point of ABWN in Uganda, UWEAL hosts the Corporate Ambassadors visiting the country.

A number of activities took place during the three day visit including a study tour to the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge, an exchange business visit to Gudie Leisure Farm in Najjera (a UWEAL member’s farm), a policy dialogue on women’s participation and benefit from NAADS and a Networking Reception at the residence of the American Deputy Chief of Mission in Kololo.



UWEAL was honored to have Ms. Faith Ntombikayise Msimang, Managing Director of Peulwana Agricultural Financial Services as its Corporate Ambassador. Over one hundred (100) people including UWEAL members, women in agriculture, business men and corporates, development partners, women entrepreneurship organizations, NGOs, donors, researchers, government officials and the press, among others participated.

Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE)

The Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE) was initiated by the International Labor Organization (ILO) through its Women Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equity (WEDGE) project in Uganda in 2006 to promote the role of women entrepreneurship development (WED) in national development. In collaboration with Women Entrepreneurs Associations (WEAs) in Uganda, the month of November was dedicated as the Month of the Woman Entrepreneur (MOWE). The event is also celebrated in other countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

The organization and implementation of MOWE events is a means of supporting women entrepreneurs to consolidate their own networks, have their concerns given due attention by policy makers and have their roles as entrepreneurs recognized by the wider community.

In March 2011, through a competitive process, ILO selected UWEAL to manage, coordinate and implement the 2011 MOWE activities. Under the theme, “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Networks”, a combination of awareness creation campaigns, enterprise skills trainings, advocacy forums, award dinners, networking events and exhibitions by women entrepreneurs were implemented.

MOWE’s target beneficiaries are individual women entrepreneurs, Women Entrepreneurs Associations (WEAs), employers’ organizations, key Government ministries like Trade and Gender, donors, business development service providers and other members of the public and private sector.

The MOWE 2011 participants included:-, Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL), International Labour Organization-Women Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality (ILO-WEDGE) project, Enterprise Uganda, Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), Makerere University Business School Entrepreneurship Centre, TechnoServe Uganda, Council for Economic Empowerment for Women in Africa-Uganda (CEEWA-U) and iCON Women and Young People’s Leadership Academy. New MOWE partnerships were created in 2011 which included Image and Etiquette Consultancy, Professional Women Empowered (PROWE), CEDA International, DMT Consultants Ltd, Barclays Bank Uganda, Kwetu Africa and Women’s Centre for Job Creation, Jinja.

Special thanks go to ILO, Makerere University Business School,Bank of Africa and MTN Uganda who generously sponsered the MOWE events.



Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner

One of the outstanding objectives of MOWE is promoting the role of Women Entrepreneurship Development (WED) in national economic development by recognizing the potential and achievements of women entrepreneurs through business awards.

In order to achieve this, UWEAL and iCON Women and Young People’s Leadership Academy co-hosted an Awards Dinner to recognize outstanding women entrepreneurs in Uganda. The prestigious event was held on 27th November, 2011 at Imperial Royale Hotel.

Patricia Babukiika receives an ILO certification from PSFU Executive Director Gideon Badagawa

UWEAL recognized outstanding women entrepreneurs including;- Nellie Ssali (UWEAL Honorary Award), Santa Anzo (C.Busulwa Pioneer Award), Rosey Sembatya (C. Kisumba Rising Star Award), Jecca Sekyeru (UWEAL Regional Entrepreneur Award), Hope Kasimbazi (I. Wanendeya UWEAL Spirit Award) and Prudence Ukkonika for the T. Mbire Award for Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. For the first time, UWEAL introduced the “UWEAL Women Entrepreneurs Advancement Award” which recognizes any entity that significantly contributes to the advancement of women entrepreneurs which award went to TechnoServe Uganda.

In her closing remarks, the Guest of Honour, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Syda Bumba said that entrepreneurship development is another key area of intervention by the Government to promote women entrepreneurs. She emphasized that partnership is a guiding principle in the area of entrepreneurship development and in this regard Government is pursuing this initiative in collaboration with other organizations.



She thus encouraged WEAs to seek partnership with Government so as to advance entrepreneurship.

The event brought together over one hundred seventy (170) people including members of associations, corporates, government officials and development partners.

Access to Finance for Women through the Women Investment Club

The Women Investment Club Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (WIC/SACCO) is a member driven program of UWEAL. WIC started in response to members’ desire for a program that would encourage mobilization of resources for collective investments, avail women easy access to short term credit and bridge the finance gap.

WIC has been steadily growing with the aim of being the leading women SACCO providing affordable and sustainable financial services for women entrepreneurs for investment.

In 2011, WIC brought on board one Tukolere Wamu Upper Buziga Group with over fifty (50) members and fourteen (14) new individual members. The year also saw the recruitment of a an experienced Investment Manager and Accounts Assistant who alongside the board were trained in governance and leadership skills, to facilitate improved service delivery at WIC.

In 2011, WIC also repaid an external loan of fifty million (50 million) from The Microfinance Support Centre Limited (MSCL). On the same note, WIC SACCO joined Uganda Central Cooperative Financial Services Limited (UCCFS), a wholesale lender for subsidized credit. This increases WIC’s visibility and credibility.

WIC member breakfast meetings were held with speakers on different topics ranging from savings, credit management, insurance, role of members in a cooperative and financial management, among others.



STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31ST DECEMBER 2011

2011

2010 UGX

UGX

Property Plant & Equipment 3,726,363,290 3,688,076,944

WIC Savings 1,400,000 200,000

3,727,763,290 3,688,276,944

CURRENT ASSETS

Receivables 6,339,520 8,330,261

Cash at Bank 58,289,786 23,133,603

Tax Claimable 2,591,954 -

67,221,260 31,463,864

TOTAL ASSETS 3,794,984,550 3,719,740,808

EQUITY

Revaluation Reserve 2,996,471,858 2,956,686,720

Retained Earnings 636,245,433 559,859,015

Tax Reserve 6,447,966 -

3,639,165,257 3,516,545,735

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES

Loans - 76,095,590

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Payables 79,452,560 34,360,602

Tax Liability 64,479,665 70,479,665

Prepayments 11,887,068 22,259,216

155,819,293 127,099,483

3,794,984,550 3,719,740,808

The accounting policies and notes on pages 16 to 25 form an integral part of these financial statements. The Accounts were approved on 15th March, 2012 and signed on their behalf by:

Chairperson Treasurer Secretary General



STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2011

2011 2010

UGX UGX

Rental Income 231,156,024 228,051,312

Other Income 545,009,760 130,207,609

776,165,783 358,258,921

Expenditure

Administration 105,126,404 151,184,046

Operation 44,126,232 44,694,733

Staff Costs 94,774,718 55,651,656

Donor support programme Expenses 421,724,487 80,996,025

Professional Fees 13,039,716 25,200,000

Total Expenses 678,791,557 357,726,460

Surplus Before Tax& Interest 97,374,226 532,461

Finance costs (14,539,842) (21,632,449)

Surplus /( Deficit ) before Tax 82,834,384 (21,099,988)

Tax Provision (6,447,966) -

Retained earnings for the year 76,386,418 (21,099,988)



UGANDA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ASSOCIATION LTDPlot 38 Lumumba Avenue, P.O. Box 10002, Kampala - Uganda

Tel: +256 414 343952Email: [email protected] Website:www.uweal.co.ug

Annual report

Business

Transcript of Annual report