Over 400 women, many of them single mothers, have been equipped with essential financial skills in a groundbreaking program organized by the Rotary Club of Bulindo and Rotary Club of Kitukutwe, in partnership with Old Mutual Uganda and Centenary Bank.
The financial literacy, held at Kasangati Health Centre IV, aims to empower women to take control of their finances and improve the well-being of their families.
The financial literacy training covered a range of practical topics, including budgeting, saving, financial goal setting, managing debt, understanding loans, investing, retirement planning, planning for emergencies, insurance, and smart money habits.
Paul Percy Lubega, President of the Rotary Club of Bulindo, explained the significance of empowering women at the grassroots level:
“Many of these women, although they are mothers, are single mothers. Some of them were abandoned when they were made pregnant. We need to help them economically because this is the only thing that can enable them and their families to live decent lives. When we empower a woman, we empower a whole community, a whole family.”
Lubega emphasized that the program not only teaches financial skills but also inspires confidence and entrepreneurial spirit.
“I was thrilled by a couple of ladies that shared that they started a business with shs10,000 and they are now running businesses worth shs100 million. These stories show that even with a small investment, you can achieve big results. Discipline and consistent saving are key to becoming economically independent.”
The beneficiaries were enthusiastic about the training. Esther Nakanjako, a mother of two, said the lessons on saving had changed her approach to finances.
“I’m impressed with the knowledge shared on how we should save to boost our finances. All along I thought I was saving, but with the knowledge gotten from here, I’ve realized I’ve not been saving smart. I thank Rotary Club of Bulindo for this opportunity and I ask them to come back for more trainings.”
A 70-year-old woman and school proprietor has urged young mothers, particularly single mothers, to engage in income-generating activities, emphasizing that in today’s society, a woman who does not work is often viewed as a failure.
“You should have something that you are doing. Imagine, at my age, I am still working. My school is managed by my children, but I still engage in other activities to earn money for myself. If you expect your man to provide for everything, then you are only making life harder for yourself. Learn to save money that will help you in times of need. Don’t rely solely on men,” she advised.
Through this initiative, the Rotary Clubs and their partners are not only improving financial literacy but also fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, resilience, and self-reliance among women at the grassroots level.
By empowering women economically, the program is strengthening families and creating ripple effects that uplift the entire community.
