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🇺🇬 Uganda /Disasters & Emergencies

Refugee Women Entrepreneurs Seek More Support, Market Access for Products in Uganda

From AllAfrica Uganda · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Refugee women entrepreneurs in Uganda are requesting more support and better market access to build sustainable livelihoods.
  • They showcased their products, including crafts and fashion items, at the High Economy UG Trade Fair in Kampala to highlight their economic contributions.
  • Organizers aim to shift perceptions of refugees from aid recipients to economic contributors, emphasizing skills development and entrepreneurship as alternatives to traditional aid.

Refugee women entrepreneurs operating under the Association of Refugee Women in Uganda are appealing for enhanced support and improved market access to foster sustainable businesses. Their call came during the opening of the High Economy UG Trade Fair in Kampala, where they exhibited handmade crafts, fashion items, and other products.

The two-day exhibition provided a platform for these women to showcase their micro-enterprises, aiming to underscore their economic contributions to Uganda and forge connections with potential customers, partners, and investors. Keghah Roger Nuah, Technical Advisor at the Association, stressed the initiative's goal to challenge the notion that refugees are solely dependent on humanitarian aid.

Refugee women can contribute to driving innovation in the Ugandan economy. We are showcasing what refugee women can do and creating a platform where stakeholders can support these businesses and create markets for their products.

— Keghah Roger NuahTechnical Advisor at the Association of Refugee Women in Uganda, speaking at the High Economy UG Trade Fair.

"Refugee women can contribute to driving innovation in the Ugandan economy. We are showcasing what refugee women can do and creating a platform where stakeholders can support these businesses and create markets for their products," Keghah stated. He highlighted that many refugee women are moving beyond aid dependency, establishing businesses that support their families and communities, especially amid global financial crises and funding cuts.

While acknowledging Uganda's supportive refugee policy that permits work and business engagement, Keghah pointed out the persistent challenge of market access for small-scale entrepreneurs. He expressed concern over the impact of street vending enforcement in Kampala, which can lead to the confiscation of merchandise, pushing women back into dependency. Keghah urged the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to implement measures that protect livelihoods while maintaining city order, suggesting penalties rather than permanent confiscation of goods.

Those boxes are not just boxes. Behind every box is a story of a woman trying to feed her family, pay school fees, cover medical bills, and pay rent.

— Keghah Roger NuahHighlighting the personal impact of losing merchandise due to street vending enforcement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by AllAfrica Uganda. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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