Women with Wallets, Women with Wings

“They do not wait for permission to rise.”

By Nabirye Irene

In Jinja, early morning sunlight streams across craft markets and small workshops where women entrepreneurs are already hard at work. They prepare handcrafted jewelry, cook street food, and organize small-scale manufacturing operations. These women represent a growing force in Uganda’s economy, independent of political endorsements yet inevitably impacted by policies and governance.

As election campaigns intensify, women’s economic activity becomes a lens to measure inclusion and opportunity. Microfinance programs, SACCOs, and small business grants empower them, yet systemic challenges persist — high interest rates, limited access to capital, and bureaucratic delays often hinder growth. For women entrepreneurs, the political discourse is not abstract; it directly shapes their ability to expand, employ others, and invest in the future.

Lydia Aheebwa, a dairy cooperative founder, explains: “Government policies affect our ability to trade, to innovate, to sustain our families. We don’t wait for leaders to create change; we build it ourselves.” Her words capture a broader reality: Uganda’s women are architects of their own economic destiny, navigating policy landscapes while transforming local communities.

These women also play a critical role during elections. They mobilize networks, educate voters, and advocate for transparency. Even when candidates overlook gender issues in manifestos, women continue to assert influence through community engagement, mentorship programs, and entrepreneurship. The impact of their labor — both visible and invisible — shapes Uganda’s social and economic future.

Markets are alive with the sound of commerce and determination. Women, their wallets in hand and their ambitions soaring, are quietly rewriting the story of Uganda’s economy, demonstrating that real empowerment transcends election promises and manifests in sustained, tangible action.