By Brian Atuhura
The Women Entrepreneurs in Masindi District have today been encouraged to utilize Ugx 16 billion from the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project since the funds are already with Pride Bank Country wide.
Speaking to Women Entrepreneurs in a meeting held at the district headquarters,the Masindi Branch Manager for Pride Bank, Nebert Mwebesa, urged the Women operating businesses to go and access the funds before the end of March this year, urging that failure to utilize the project funds,they will be taken back to Central Government coffers.
He says,one can borrow from shs 4 million up to shs 50 millions and only shs 30,000 is required to facilitate the acquisition of the loan payable within one year at an interest rate of only 10% per annum.
He added that, eligible categories of women to benefit from the project funds are individual business women,refugee business women and also women groups with a membership of 18 members and above.
He appealed to Women Entrepreneurs to keep proper records of thier businesses such that they are able to borrow much funds.
Speaking in the same meeting,the GROW project Focal Person,Clare Businge Wamara, called upon women Entrepreneurs to support one another in the business venture inorder to spur development and boost their businesses.
She rallied the women to mobilize more business women to acquire the loan since it has a minimal interest rate repayment.
Meanwhile,the Chairperson Women Council for Masindi District, Sarah Gonzaga, expressed the plight of Masindi Women Entrepreneurs citing low morale since the GROW project started urging that Masindi women have not benefited from the loan since a number of banks promised to give money to the beneficiaries but all was in vein.
She however,pledged to mobilize more women to benefit from the funds with an assurance that this time,they will obtain the funds.