Some of the winners in a group photo dfcu officials and keynote speaker
Three outstanding entrepreneurs led a cohort of twenty finalists at the dfcu Rising Woman Awards 2025, where dfcu Bank and Monitor Publications Limited honoured Uganda’s most promising women-led enterprises in a ceremony held at the bank’s headquarters in Nakasero on Dec.5.
Melanie Joyce Nabukwasi of Elgon-Sita Honey Coffee Dealers Ltd emerged overall winner, taking home a UGX 15 million cash prize. She was followed by first runner-up Najjemba Lillian Doreen of The Kitchen, who won UGX 10 million, and second runner-up Tracy Ahumuza of Breastmilk Storage Solutions (Atta Marie Foundation Ltd), who received UGX 5 million.
The three topped a group of finalists selected from across the country, all of whom underwent intensive training, proposal development support and mentorship during Season 7 of the initiative.
The awards capped a week-long recognition of more than 150 women entrepreneurs supported this year under the Rising Woman programme.
Speakers praised dfcu Bank for its leadership in championing women-focused financing and enterprise development, nearly two decades after the launch of its Women in Business Programme in 2007.
Annette Kiconco, dfcu’s Chief Retail Banking Officer, said the bank’s long-term commitment to women has enabled over 80,000 entrepreneurs to access financial literacy, advisory services and tailored financing, with the Women Business Advisory Centre now offering free business clinics, mentorship and coaching.
She emphasized that the bank’s approach has positioned it at the forefront of gender-directed financial inclusion even as other institutions attempt to replicate similar models.
Ruth Biyinzika Kasolo, Project Coordinator of the World Bank–funded GROW project, commended dfcu for its unwavering support of women leaders and urged the awardees to remain resilient.
She reminded them that business success demands persistence, self-belief and the courage to enter male-dominated sectors.
She encouraged them to balance ambition with wellbeing and to enjoy the fruits of their work, adding that women must seize emerging opportunities under the GROW project, through which UGX 100 billion is being disbursed in December via six partner banks—including dfcu—at an interest rate of 10 percent.
“Fellow women, let’s conquer even in those places where men are,” she said, describing resilience as the true measure of success.
The event also drew strong voices from Uganda’s development, media and private-sector leadership.
Ann Nakanwagi Mukwaya, Country Director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, said that while this year’s top 20 were being celebrated, thousands more had benefited from the programme’s national outreach.
She urged participants to apply the lessons learned with discipline and attention to detail, noting that many entrepreneurs with promising ideas fail to act, while all finalists in the programme demonstrated the courage to pursue their ventures.
Representing Nation Media Group, Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa highlighted the role of storytelling in driving social transformation and pledged continued support to the initiative through the company’s platforms.
She encouraged entrepreneurs to persevere regardless of competition outcomes, noting that success often comes to those who persist.
Keynote speaker Barbara Ofwono Buyondo, CEO of Victorious Education Services, called on entrepreneurs to invest in skilling, responsible borrowing and the power of networks.
Using her own journey as an example, she urged finalists to understand every aspect of their businesses in order to lead effectively and to seek community in business groups where shared support accelerates progress.
Organisers echoed her message, saying collaboration will be vital as Uganda pursues economic transformation under the national Tenfold Growth Strategy.
The Rising Woman initiative, launched in 2018 by dfcu in partnership with Monitor Publications, has now reached more than 60,000 women with training, mentorship, proposal-writing support and seed capital.
A complementary collaboration with MTN Uganda, ATC and Innovation Village has enabled 118 women-owned enterprises to enter private-sector supply chains. This year’s grand prize package—valued at UGX 30 million—includes an all-expenses-paid mentorship trip to Nairobi, Kenya for the top winners, aimed at strengthening regional exposure and business growth.
The 20 finalists recognised during the 2025 ceremony included: Melanie Joyce Nabukwasi (Elgon-Sita Honey Coffee Dealers Ltd); Najjemba Lillian Doreen (The Kitchen); Tracy Ahumuza (Breastmilk Storage Solutions, Atta Marie Foundation Ltd); Hope Kayeny (Fro-textured Limited); Joan Adakun Adong and Natasha Myreen Mulumba (Flip Avenue Limited); Amanya Grace Namara (Nyanya Bora, Grabepha Ventures Ltd); Kansiime Jessica (Adorn Beautyx Investments Ltd); Nabutewa Elovinah (Jenda Coffee Masters Limited); Nakawalya Patricia D.A. (Otic Group); Gloria Nandudu (Yinyuka Specialty Coffee Company Limited); Agnes Barbara Kobusingye (Dr. A Medical Wellness Centre); Kulabako Winfred (Eva Milling Company Limited); Juliet A Ongodia (Agasia Consults); Nambiro Agnes (Perfect Herbal Wakiso); Nakayiza Eva (Chef’s Taste); Nakazibwe Cate Kwagala (JAFEL Bread and Confectionery); Sylvia Kiwanuka (Aspire 2 Inspire Innovations Ltd); Martha Nabukwasi (Navy Innovations LLP); Apio Esther (Tyweb Art (U) Limited); and Nabulime Damalie (Large-Scale Maggot Rearing for Poultry Farming).
Organisers said Season 7 demonstrates the expanding influence of the Rising Woman platform as a catalyst for women-led enterprise development in agribusiness, value addition, services and other sectors nationwide, affirming that Uganda’s economic future will depend heavily on the continued rise of women innovators and leaders.
