The President however advised those who have been expecting to benefit from the GROW project for the meantime to join the Parish Development Model (PDM) which is free from such restrictions.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has halted the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, a flagship Government of Uganda initiative financed by the World Bank.
The President said he had taken time hearing people complaining about the many restrictive conditions put on the beneficiaries of the GROW project funds, hence halting it with immediate effect for scrutiny.
To come up with this decision, President Museveni was addressing journalists on Tuesday evening in Soroti State Lodge after completing his campaign trail in Teso sub-region.
The President however advised those who have been expecting to benefit from the GROW project for the meantime to join the Parish Development Model (PDM) which is free from such restrictions.
“Let them keep their money, I am not bothered, after all I have my PDM cash which amounts to sh1.2 trillion per year. When they get stuck with their money with no one taking it, they will come to terms and revise the conditionalities,” he said.
The World Bank provided a grant of $217m (773.3bn) to the GROW project which runs until December 2027. The project has been running under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and implemented in liaison with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.
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As of August 2025, over 2,780 women across Uganda had directly benefited from the GROW project through access to loans.
Though President Museveni gave the PDM as an alternative, its benefactors have been complaining over a time about the limited funds issued which is limited to only one million shillings. Yet for GROW, one can get a minimum of sh4m and a maximum of sh200m per person.
What is required to benefit from GROW
To benefit from the GROW project in Uganda, you must own a women-led micro or small enterprise with at least 51% female ownership, and your business must comply with environmental and social requirements.
You also need to meet the specific requirements of the participating financial institution, which typically include having an account, providing business and cash flow proof, and offering some form of collateral.
General requirements
- Enterprise ownership: The business must be women-owned, with a woman owning at least 51% of the shares.
- Enterprise size: The business must be a micro or small enterprise. Large companies with an annual turnover of over UGX 400 million are not eligible.
- Loan use: The loan must be used for business operations and growth activities.
- Compliance: The enterprise must comply with the GROW project’s environmental and social requirements.
- New loan: Loan substitution is not allowed; you must apply for a new loan.
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Financial institution requirements
- Bank account: You must hold or open an account with the participating bank.
- Loan application: You must complete the loan application process.
- Proof of cash flow: You will need to provide proof of cash flow, often through a one-year bank statement.
- Proof of business: Proof of an ongoing business is required, such as a trading license.
- Collateral: You must be able to provide some form of security, which can include personal or group guarantees, movable assets, or land titles.
- Credit history: Your credit history may be checked through a Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) report.
- For contract financing: You will need a copy of the contract to be financed and call-off orders.
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