Legislators have raised concerns over the low disbursement and absorption levels of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project after an audit revealed that only 23% of the allocated Shs75.1Bn budget was utilized in the 2023/24 financial year.

During a meeting with Finance Ministry officials at Parliament on March 19, 2025, Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Muwanga Kivumbi questioned why only US$18.14M (Shs66.506Bn) of the US$22M (Shs80.669Bn) earmarked for women entrepreneurs in 2024 was disbursed, leaving US$3.2M (Shs11.733Bn) unspent.

“You had a budget of Shs75.1Bn in 2023/24, but you spent only Shs18Bn, leaving Shs56.6Bn unused—an absorption level of just 23%,” Kivumbi stated. “They are falling short on disbursement, but even where money has been sent, their capacity to utilize it is low. They can’t absorb the World Bank loan.”

Project Coordinator Ruth Aisha Kasolo attributed the delays to the project’s initial implementation phase, saying loan structures were still being designed.

“We do note the concern of the auditors, but the under-disbursement was because the project was in its initial stages of implementation. All activities commenced this financial year, and we are working on the designs, especially for the loans. We have gone ahead to actualize these disbursements,” she explained.

However, Amuria Woman MP Susan Amero rejected this justification, accusing the Finance Ministry of directing funds to districts with government insiders.

“From the onset, how many districts have received this money? Because it looks like this money has been kept at the center,” she said. “As I speak now, this money seems to go to those with connections. When you go to Northern Uganda, you’ll find a lot of money being spent in Lira City. Where is the money meant for all women entrepreneurs?”

The GROW project is a US$217 million (Shs795.6Bn) World Bank-funded initiative under the Ministry of Finance, aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs through affordable credit, skills development, and business support. Launched to boost productivity and economic opportunities for women, the program targets small and medium-sized women-led enterprises, particularly in rural and underserved areas. However, the recent audit findings have raised concerns about its implementation and accessibility to the intended beneficiaries.