Launching POWER Cohort IV in Uganda!

From August 17 to 21, 2025, the Bonita Women’s Business Hub in Kampala was alive with energy as DSW and Action 4 Health Uganda (A4HU) welcomed 20 young female entrepreneurs into Cohort IV of the POWER Accelerator.

POWER (Providing Opportunities for Women in Entrepreneurship and Reproductive Health) has, since 2022, trained and supported more than 40 young women in Uganda alone in establishing and scaling businesses that improve access to health, create jobs, and advance gender equality. Cohort IV builds on this momentum with a new group of innovators ready to transform their ideas into sustainable enterprises.

A new journey begins

The first year of the program is dedicated to intensive training through monthly boot camps and weekly online sessions with certified business coaches. Participants work on developing strong business models, investment-ready plans, and confident pitching skills. In the second year, the focus shifts to growth and financing, with tailored support provided through the alumni-led Multi-Sectoral Investment Fund (MIF).

Through this accelerator journey, the new cohort of POWER women will:
• Expand access to contraceptives, FP & SRHR products, and counselling in underserved communities
• Create new youth employment opportunities
• Strengthen gender equality by positioning women as business leaders
• Join the wider POWER alumni network to share expertise and mentorship

Inside the first boot camp

The first physical boot camp in August brought together the 20 entrepreneurs and their coaches for sessions on inclusive budgeting and resource allocation. It also created space for women to share their visions and connect their personal passions to the broader POWER mission.

For Davin Nuwagaba, that passion lies in mental health. Her initiative, Healing Hues, uses art therapy to link wellbeing and sexual and reproductive health education. Through POWER she hopes to refine her model and build a product that can better support the wellbeing of young women.

For Agaba Esther, the starting point is technology. With an IT background, she has developed an app that discreetly delivers condoms, contraceptives, and sanitary products to women’s doorsteps, while also providing family planning information and a menstrual cycle tracker. Esther joined POWER to strengthen her idea into a fundable business and to build the networks needed to scale it.

Why POWER matters

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with more than 70 percent under the age of 30. At the same time, demand for family planning and SRHR services continues to outpace supply. Women entrepreneurs are stepping into this gap with bold ideas and local knowledge, but they often lack the training, financing, and networks to grow. POWER is designed to change that.

By supporting these women to become successful social entrepreneurs, POWER is not only creating businesses but also building a movement that strengthens health systems, advances gender equality, and unlocks economic opportunity.

Looking ahead

Over the next two years, Cohort IV will work to transform their ideas into fundable, sustainable SRHR businesses. They join a growing alumni network that mentors, invests, and inspires, ensuring that the impact of POWER continues to grow year after year.

Session exercise on Developing Inclusive Business Budgets

Session on Resource Allocation for social enterprise success

Have a question about POWER or would like a chat? Reach out to us!

• Shane O’Halloran, Head of DSW’s Digital Transformation and Business Development Unit [shane.ohalloran@dsw.org] 
• Hassan Waswa, Project Manager, Action 4 Health Uganda. [hassan.waswa@a4huganda.org]