POWER Cohort II 2024-2025 Demo Day Held at Bonita Youth Centre, Uganda

Blog | 26. March 2025 | #economic empowerment #POWER #Uganda

On a dazzling Friday, February 28, 2025, Action 4 Health Uganda (A4HU) celebrated the Demo Day of 15 remarkable entrepreneurs from the POWER (Providing Opportunities for Women in Entrepreneurship and Reproductive Health). This vibrant occasion not only recognized their achievements but also marked the successful completion of the second cohort (2024-2025), building on the strong foundation of the inaugural cohort (2022-2023).

The graduates presented their innovative business ideas to an esteemed panel of judges who evaluated their pitches, drawing on the comprehensive training they received over the past six months. The panel included Sylvia Pimer, Youth Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; Dorothy Nakasaikya, Social Investment Fund Associate at Capital Solutions; and Sanyu Arthur Blick, Executive Director of Anchors for Youth Africa (AYA).

The POWER Demo Day honoured the hard work of these entrepreneurs. The top five received varying cash prizes, while the remaining ten entrepreneurs were awarded seed capital of UGX 200,000 each to boost their ventures. Their businesses span diverse sectors such as information and communication technology (ICT), menstrual hygiene management (MHM), food and nutrition, and more.

After careful scoring of each presentation, the overall champion—whose outstanding performance during both training and the pitch secured her the coveted cash prize of UGX 1,000,000—was announced. This distinguished honor went to Najjemba Betty. Najjemba Betty is the Production Manager and one of the founding members of the Malangala Cottage Factory that was producing Makapads, an eco-friendly disposable sanitary product. Makapads is dedicated to ending period poverty by producing disposable sanitary products from papyrus and recycled paper, offered at an affordable UGX 2,500 for a packet of 10 pads, and is based in Malangala Sub-County, Mityana District.

Second place was awarded to Nassolo Suzan, founder of EverGrow Organics. Established in 2022, EverGrow Organics provides organic fertilizers and essential family planning information, products, and services to smallholder farmers in Mityana District—helping them improve yields and make informed choices. The enterprise aligns with SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 5 (Gender Equality).

Third place went to Nassolo Claire of Claire’s Bakery and Training Centre in Wakiso District. Launched in 2023, this social enterprise empowers young entrepreneurs and youths (aged 15 to 35) through SRH information, services, and bakery skills training, supporting SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 5 (Gender Equality).

In fourth place, Nabaggala Sandra Sarah, founder of Nature Delight Foods in Wakiso District, was recognized for her work in nurturing children’s futures and enhancing family health. Her venture offers nutritious porridge while also empowering women with essential nutrition and sexual reproductive health education to support their families’ well-being.

In addition, the best coach was given special recognition and a cash prize for her invaluable support throughout this journey. Ms. Sharon Natukunda, a POWER alumna from Cohort I, was honoured as Best Coach for her dedicated mentorship of Cohort II participants.

Sharon Natukunda: Best Coach of POWER Cohort II 2024-2025

The event’s Guest of Honour, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinza, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health Uganda, underscored the importance of equipping young women with the skills needed to lead empowered lives and reduce gender-based violence.

In her address, Action 4 Health Uganda’s CEO, Sarah Kintu, emphasized that the POWER program is committed to empowering women to take charge of both their health and economic well-being.

The Director of Public Health, Ministry of Uganda, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinza, was the guest of honour for the day. He emphasized the need to skill young women to enable them to live empowered lives, especially free from gender-based violence.

In her address, Action 4 Health Uganda’s C.E.O. Sarah Kintu enlightened attendees that the POWER program exists to empower women to live fulfilled lives where they are in charge of not only their health but also their economic well-being.

A PARTICIPANT’S JOURNEY

One POWER Cohort II participant, Suminiy Nansansi, Founder of Young Youth and Women Initiative Network (YYOUWIN), shared her story:

“I was unemployed for a while and later decided to start a laundry business in my community to earn a living. I then began making soap from my income, which I used for washing and sold to community members. Now I also produce body jelly. I thank Action 4 Health Uganda for equipping me with the skills I needed through the POWER program. Today, I’m ready to take my business to greater heights and help other young women start their own social enterprises.”

POWER SO FAR

The original POWER pilot (2022/23) was funded by DSW and created together with our close partner in Uganda, Action 4 Health Uganda. The idea was to develop an accelerator program that nurtured female social entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses in family planning and sexual reproductive health and rights (FP/SRHR), with a focus where possible on the ICT sector. The pilot took place at the Bonita Training Centre at the A4HU’s headquarters in Lubowa, with training provided by Capital Solutions Limited, a local organization experienced in entrepreneurship development.

According to Uganda Vision 2040, Uganda has one of the youngest populations globally, with nearly half of its citizens under 15 due to historically high fertility rates. The National Policy Guidelines and Service Standards for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2006) outline key components—including safe motherhood, family planning, adolescent health, STI/HIV/AIDS prevention, and gender-based violence prevention.

The first POWER cohort, launched in August 2022, successfully on-boarded 12 young women entrepreneurs who underwent six months of in-person and online training, mentorship sessions, and field visits for enhanced learning and networking. A strong alumni network was also established to maintain ongoing support.

Following this success, DSW and A4HU launched the above mentioned Cohort II with 20 female entrepreneurs, followed recently by Cohort III which launched in March 2025, with a further 10 entrepreneurs. This was done in partnership with Makerere University School of Public Health and SIHI (Social Innovation in Health Initiative).

We look forward to the continued impact of the POWER accelerator program on entrepreneurs, their communities, and Uganda at large.