WORD
FROM THE ORGANIZERS
Mkazipreneur,
in partnership with KCB Bank Uganda, hosted the Women’s Day Breakfast on 14th March 2025 at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, bringing together women
entrepreneurs, partners, and collaborators to advance the theme of the
celebrations: “ACCELERATING
ACTION.”
The
event featured inspiring speeches and engaging discussions led by KCB Bank Uganda, Mkazipreneur’s Team Lead – Immy Nakyeyune, a dynamic panel of industry
experts, and the distinguished Amelia Kyambadde—a renowned businesswoman,
politician, and advocate for women’s empowerment.
To
open the event, Ms.
Miranda Musoke Bageine,
Head of Retail at KCB Bank Uganda, and Gladys Nalukenge Lubowa, Relationship Manager for
Women in Business, welcomed the attendees. They emphasized the bank’s
commitment to providing financial solutions tailored to support women
entrepreneurs.
Emphasizing
Action and Empowerment
"Women’s
Day is not just a celebration; it’s a call to action. It is a reminder of the
strides we have made towards gender equality and the collective responsibility
we must uphold to drive further progress," said Ms. Miranda Musoke Bageine, Head of Retail at KCB Bank
Uganda.
She
emphasized that women’s
economic empowerment
is not only a moral obligation but also a key driver of global and national growth. She encouraged the
attendees to take full advantage of available resources, build strong support networks, and commit to accelerating action for personal and business
growth.
Gladys
Nalukenge Lubowa,
Relationship Manager for Women in Business, reaffirmed KCB Bank Uganda’s
commitment to providing tailored support for women entrepreneurs.
"At KCB Bank, we recognize the unique challenges women face. We have taken the time to listen, understand, and design specialized solutions to support you, boost your businesses, and help you reach your full potential by walking that journey with you," she said.
Our
Team
Lead, Immy Nakyeyune,
took to the podium to emphasize the significance of the Women’s Day
celebrations, particularly in advancing the empowerment of women in entrepreneurship.
"We
are here to celebrate each other—our achievements, success, collaboration, and
partnerships. Entrepreneurship is not easy—it takes a lot of work, and I know
you all put in a lot of effort and sacrifice to be the best woman you can
be,"
she remarked.
Her words resonated with the audience, acknowledging the resilience and dedication required to thrive in business while encouraging women to continue supporting and uplifting one another.
WORD FROM THE PANEL
A highlight of the Women’s Day Breakfast was a dynamic panel
discussion, where seasoned entrepreneurs shared their journeys, insights, and
practical advice with an eager audience. The panel brought together women who
have overcome significant challenges to become recognized leaders in
entrepreneurship, offering invaluable wisdom to inspire and guide others.
The panel featured distinguished entrepreneurs who are
trailblazers in their respective fields:
- Dr. Barbara Ofwono Buyondo – Director and Principal of Victorious
Education Services Ltd
- Joan Mugenzi – Lead Coach at Imagine Me Africa Limited
- Faith Aweko – Founder and CEO of Reform Africa
- Manige Merab – Founder and CEO of Super Chillo Investments Ltd
These remarkable women, each excelling
across multiple facets of life—entrepreneurship, career, networking,
social impact, family, and personal development—offered a holistic
perspective on what it takes to succeed and accelerate action.
Their stories not only celebrated their accomplishments but also empowered attendees to navigate their own entrepreneurial journeys with confidence and resilience.
Here are key insights from the panel:
1. Joan Mugenzi – Supporting Women Considering Leaving
Employment
Joan encouraged women to envision themselves in positions of greater influence,
emphasizing the importance of stepping out and seizing opportunities.
"Imagine Me is about you imagining yourself in a
position of greater influence. It’s not enough to be spiritual—you must put
yourself out there to access the opportunities that arise," she said.
She highlighted a common barrier many women face:
"Most women do not take opportunities due to fear
of the unknown and uncertainty of whether they are good enough for the job. We
want to be perfect before we feel ready—but instead, we need to trust in our
abilities, embrace growth, and commit to mentoring other women."
2. Dr. Barbara Ofwono Buyondo – Resilience in the Face
of Rejection
Sharing her entrepreneurial journey, Dr. Barbara underscored the power of persistence
and self-belief when faced with rejection.
"When you get a ‘NO,’ rise and act. In 1999, when
I approached a bank for a loan to grow Victorious Education Services, I was
turned down. Today, I cannot fail to get a loan because I stood my ground and
worked tirelessly to grow my enterprise," she affirmed.
3. Manige Merab – Leveraging Networks to Boost Business
Manige shared how strategic thinking and leveraging media exposure
played a pivotal role in propelling her business forward.
"As a critical thinker, I had to find ways to
boost my business despite early challenges. A friend at New Vision published a
two-page story about my work, which caught the attention of a former president
of Zambia, who was impressed by my value addition to mushrooms," she revealed.
4. Faith Aweko – Innovating for Social Impact
Faith highlighted how identifying community challenges inspired her to create
sustainable solutions through entrepreneurship.
"I recognized a need in my community—children
lacking school bags—and began making plastic bags to support them while
addressing plastic waste," she shared, demonstrating the power of purpose-driven
innovation.
WORD FROM THE GUEST
OF HONOR:
Amelia Kyambadde – A Trailblazer in Leadership and
Entrepreneurship
Amelia Kyambadde is a distinguished Ugandan
businesswoman, politician, and advocate for women’s empowerment. With a career
spanning over three decades, she has made significant contributions to public
service, entrepreneurship, and community development.
She served as Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and
Cooperatives from 2011 to 2021, where she championed local enterprise growth,
trade policy reform, and women’s economic empowerment. Prior to her ministerial
role, she worked as the Principal Private Secretary to the President, a
position she held for over 20 years, earning a reputation for dedication and
strategic leadership.
Beyond politics, Amelia is a seasoned entrepreneur who
has successfully ventured into manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture. Her
resilience and ability to adapt to challenges have made her a role model for
women in business. She is particularly passionate about mentorship and
supporting female entrepreneurs, encouraging them to seize opportunities and
take control of their financial futures.
Amelia holds a Master’s Degree in Business
Administration from Makerere University and has pursued further studies
internationally, strengthening her expertise in governance and economic policy.
Her legacy is one of inspiration and action, as she continues to advocate for inclusive growth, sustainable entrepreneurship, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
HERE ARE A FEW LESSONS SHE SHARED:
Lesson 1️: Build Competence
Amelia’s entrepreneurial journey began with trial and error but lacked serious
planning. After returning from exile in 1986, she joined State House, where the
demands of the job motivated her to return to school and build the skills
necessary for long-term success.
Lesson 2: Create Your Own Opportunities
"No one will hand you extra income; you must create the opportunities
to fund your business," Amelia advised. After receiving per diem for a
work trip, she invested in industrial sewing machines and established a
workshop near Mengo, producing uniforms for nurses, security personnel, and
other clients.
Lesson 3: Delegate to Trusted People
Amelia emphasized the importance of trustworthy management when balancing
multiple responsibilities. She reflected on how a lack of oversight led to the
collapse of her sewing business, highlighting the need to delegate wisely when
overwhelmed.
Lesson 4️: Minimize Middlemen
"Don’t let too many middlemen benefit from you," she warned. After
facing challenges while trading fish in Kasese and relying on unreliable
contact, she decided to cut out the middleman and start her own fish breeding business
venture that continues to thrive today.
Lesson 5️: Learn and Do It Better
Amelia’s entrepreneurial success grew from observing others and striving to
excel. She started a cottage business that attracted both local and
international tourists, eventually expanding into the hospitality industry and
building a strong, reputable brand.
Her insights served as a powerful reminder to the women
in attendance that competence, initiative, and adaptability are key to
accelerating action and achieving long-term success.
The Women’s Day Breakfast was a powerful celebration of
women’s achievements and a call for continued empowerment. Through insightful
speeches and panel discussions, the event highlighted the importance of competence,
opportunity, and collaboration in driving progress. The message was
clear—resilience, action, and support are key to success. Mkazipreneur remains
committed to empowering women entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools and
networks needed to thrive.
