Kampala, Uganda – More than 1,600 women entrepreneurs have been equipped with skills to strengthen income stability, business growth and community resilience through training provided by Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda (CCBU), in partnership with the KiBO Foundation.
Launched in February 2025, the project called “Women Arise” most recently included women in Makindye Division, recognising the critical role of micro and small businesses in Uganda’s informal economy. With the completion of training for the third cohort, the programme has now reached 1,634 women.
“Our purpose is to refresh Africa and create shared value,” said Kirunda Magoola, Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director at CCBU, a company in the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa group.
“Our business is centred on a local approach – we hire locally, produce locally, distribute locally and where possible, source locally.
“Our aspiration is not only to reflect the diversity of the communities where we operate but also to lead and advocate for a better shared future.
“People are at the centre of everything we do, from our employees to those who touch our business to the communities we call home.
“Community involvement allows us to bring positive, measurable change to both the communities in which we operate and to our business,” Magoola said.
The Women Arise project focuses on financial literacy as a cornerstone for long-term success. Participants received training in budgeting, saving, reinvestment, and responsible financial decision-making, enabling them to overcome economic challenges and build stronger businesses.
The programme also fostered collaboration and networking, bringing together women from Makindye, Kansanga, and Kabalagala to share ideas, build trust, and access opportunities such as capital and government support. By working collectively, participants are better positioned for sustainable growth.
“I now understand how to budget, save, and plan for my business,” said Najjuma Florence, a kiosk owner in Kansanga. “My income has grown, and I feel more secure about the future of my family.”
Namuyomba Hellen Sandra, owner of Vintage Cleanings and home acre services, added: “The training helped me build strong relationships with other women. We share ideas, support each other, and grow together. That has made my business stronger.”
Women Arise is part of CCBU’s broader commitment to economic inclusion. In 2025 alone, the company empowered 1,634 women, 1,716 youth, and 100 persons with disabilities.
By equipping women entrepreneurs with essential skills and fostering collaboration, CCBU and KiBO Foundation are helping build resilient local economies – one business at a time.
