Part of the WE4D programme, the project will empower 5,000 women and 600 groups to drive Uganda’s transition to a green and inclusive economy.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has officially launched the flagship project “Women Economic Empowerment for Green Transformation” (WEEG-UWEP) under the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme. This intervention is part of the broader Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (WE4D) programme.

On 14th August 2025, stakeholders gathered at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, to celebrate the launch of this milestone initiative and to unveil the Business Development Strategy and Implementation Plan for the project.

The WEEG-UWEP project is designed to strengthen the competitiveness of 600 Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) groups engaged in green and greening business models. It aims to create employment, increase household incomes, and improve gender-responsive working conditions for approximately 5,000 women in sectors such as:

• Sustainable agriculture and agro-processing.
• The blue economy and aquaculture
• Renewable energy
• Circular economy and waste management
• Eco-tourism
• Transport and logistics
• Construction

By the end of the project, WEEG-UWEP is expected to lay a firm foundation for women’s economic empowerment in Uganda’s green economy, with benefits that extend beyond businesses to transform communities and ecosystems.

Speaking at the launch, H.E. Matthias Schauer, the German Ambassador to Uganda, emphasized that the two-year intervention will boost the competitiveness of women-led groups in both local and international markets. He noted that this will be achieved through training, mentorship, advisory support, and business development services, including enterprise formalization and improved market access.

In her keynote address, Hon. Betty Amongi Ongom, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, underscored the project’s alignment with Uganda’s long-term growth strategies:

“Today marks an important milestone in our journey to empower women entrepreneurs and support Uganda’s Green Growth Development Strategy (UGGDS), which seeks to fast-track the implementation of the National Development Plans with a focus on gender and green growth. Through the WEEG-UWEP Project, supported by the German Government, the European Union, and Norway, we are not only creating opportunities for women to thrive in sustainable sectors, but also building stronger communities and a greener future for our country. As the lead government partner, the Ministry is committed to working closely with GIZ and all stakeholders to ensure this initiative delivers lasting impact for generations to come.”