L-R: Irene Birungi Mugisha, the keynote speaker, Immy Nakyeyune the Mkazipreneur founder and the two judges; Shamim K Matovu and Jackline Arinda. Photo/courtesy
More women are doing business than ever before in Uganda. It was on this background that Mkazipreneur, a social enterprise and community platform created to help women entrepreneurs thrive, held its inaugural awards at Mestil Hotel Nsambya. Themed, “Women entrepreneurship resilience and adaptability for economic and sustainable growth”, the awards celebrated outstanding achievements of female-owned businesses in Uganda, on top of lauding the resilience and adaptability that these businesses have shown over time.
Immy Nakyeyune, the Mkazipreneur founder, believes that compiling success stories of outstanding women entrepreneurs in Uganda can inspire more into business, while creating a network.
“The expected outcomes of Mkazipreneur Impact Awards are exposure for outstanding women entrepreneurs in Uganda, growth in sales and revenue for women businesses, increased access to networks and opportunities,” she said.
The colourful event attracted a host of entrepreneurs and administrators who witnessed winners from 10 categories, with Irene Birungi Mugisha, the CEO of Presidential CEO forum, as the keynote speaker.
Georgette Ochieng, the co-founder and managing director of Wazi Vision, the first prescription eyewear brand designed and manufactured in Uganda, was one of the evening’s biggest winners with the Most Innovative Business Award. This category catered for businesses that present new ideas, services, and products to meet the evolving demands of the market.
Other winners included Sandrah Asiimwe (Outstanding Environmental Impact Award), Sandrah Nabasirye (Outstanding Agricultural Impact Award), Shamirah Kimbugwe (Outstanding Use of Technology Award), Eve Zalwango (Outstanding Community/Social Impact Award), Sandra Letio (Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur In Northern Region Award), Maxima Nsimenta (Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur In Central Region Award), Daphine Ampaire (Woman Entrepreneur In Western Region Award), Esther Namoe (Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur In Eastern Region Award) and Lynnet Nakidde (Emerging Female Young Entrepreneur Of The Year).
