🔊 'Free money mentality' curtailing GROW project growth in Teso

Bank officials across the Teso sub-region have urged the government to prioritise mindset change among beneficiaries of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project, saying a shift in attitude is essential for the programme’s success.

Launched in March 2023, GROW is a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in Uganda. The project is designed to improve access to entrepreneurial services for women, including those in refugee-hosting districts, to help them expand and sustain their businesses.

However, according to local bank officials, the project’s implementation is being hindered by widespread misconceptions.

Many potential beneficiaries misunderstand how the funds are structured and allocated, creating unrealistic expectations about eligibility and loan amounts.

dfcu Bank manager Jonathan Musangwire, on July 2, 2025, said many community members mistakenly view funds from programmes such as GROW and the Parish Development Model (PDM) as political handouts or free money linked to voting incentives.

He warned that this mentality leads to non-compliance with programme guidelines and misuse of the funds.

Stephen Otim, a financial advisor, emphasised the need for the Government to invest more time and effort in changing the mindset of women entrepreneurs before disbursing financial support.

He explained that some women take loans without proper business knowledge, resulting in poor investment decisions and eventual losses.