Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde has defended government efforts to economically empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), saying thousands have benefited from various programmes despite concerns over their inclusion in initiatives such as GROW.
Tumukunde was responding to concerns raised in Parliament by PWD representative Robert Ssewagudde, who questioned whether women with disabilities were genuinely benefiting from the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Entrepreneurs (GROW) Project.
According to the minister’s statement, 79,509 PWDs have benefited from the National Special Grant to Persons with Disabilities over the past seven financial years, with government disbursing Shs53.54 billion to groups across the country. Since 2019/20, the programme has supported 11,147 groups comprising 39,906 males and 39,603 females.
The grants, which support groups of between five and 15 PWDs, have financed a range of businesses, including poultry farming, bull fattening, agricultural produce trading, knitting, tailoring and restaurants.
However, figures specifically relating to GROW show a much smaller level of participation among women with disabilities. By March 31, 2026, only 26 women entrepreneurs with disabilities had accessed Shs570.9 million in loans, with three having completed their initial loans and secured repeat financing.
Beyond credit, Tumukunde said 525 entrepreneurs with disabilities were among 12,921 women entrepreneurs who had received business skills training. The training covers areas such as financial management, business formalisation, technology, customer care, sustainability and building resilient businesses, while 14 PWDs were among 1,208 entrepreneurs who completed workplace-based learning.
Government has also set aside Shs4.3 billion under planned infrastructure grants for enterprises supporting PWDs, including organisations affiliated with PWD unions and associations. Planned interventions include technology to help people with visual impairments identify Uganda shilling denominations and digital marketing tools for products made by women with disabilities.
Tumukunde said government would continue implementing GROW with an inclusion focus targeting women with disabilities, refugees and other vulnerable groups. He also urged MPs to mobilise eligible PWD women entrepreneurs to participate in the programme, particularly as government prepares to launch a business grants competition targeting about 2,600 women-owned micro and small businesses, with grants ranging from Shs3.7 million to Shs110 million.
