By Mulengera Reporters
Whenever war breaks out, civilians often bear the greatest burden. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, facing displacement, insecurity and the loss of livelihoods. This was the reality in 2002, when Rwanda was deeply involved in the final phase of the Second Congo War (1998–2003), while also facing security tensions along its borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
At the time, Rwanda’s military was heavily engaged in eastern DRC, fighting Congolese government forces and allied militias. The conflict and related insecurity forced many civilians living along the Rwanda–DRC border to flee their homes in search of safety.
Although Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement in Pretoria, South Africa, in July 2002, paving the way for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC between September and October that year, many people had already been displaced. Some sought refuge in neighbouring countries, including Uganda.
Among those who fled to Uganda was Clodeta Uwizeyimana, who arrived in 2002 in the company of her grandmother. She was only 10 years old.
The two settled in Juru Sub-Base Camp in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, where Clodeta spent her formative years adjusting to life in a new environment.
At the age of 16, she met the man who would later become her husband. He was also a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, living in Nakivale at the time. Their friendship quickly developed into a relationship, and within a few months, they got married.
Following their marriage, Clodeta moved with her husband from Juru Sub-Base Camp to Nakivale Main Base Camp, where they began building their lives together.
From humble beginnings to a growing business
Like many refugee families, Clodeta and her husband had to find ways of earning a living and providing for their household. They started by engaging in small-scale agricultural activities. As they gradually accumulated some savings, they ventured into selling tomatoes and other vegetables from a small stall.
With time, they expanded their stock to include other food items. Their determination and gradual reinvestment in the business eventually enabled them to establish a grocery shop in Karitina B Village, Rushasha Parish, Rugaaga Sub-county, within Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
Her husband, whose name has been withheld, remained supportive throughout this journey. He worked in two capacities: as an Equity Bank agent and in food distribution activities for the World Food Programme (WFP), which provides humanitarian food assistance to refugees.
Despite the progress they had made, Clodeta’s ambition to grow the business was constrained by limited capital. She needed additional financing to expand her stock, improve the shop and take her enterprise to the next level.
Today, her grocery business has grown into a larger shop employing two young men. This marks an important milestone in her entrepreneurial journey, as the business is not only supporting her family but also creating employment opportunities for other people in the settlement.
GROW opens a new window of opportunity
It was at this point that Clodeta learned about the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project and the financing opportunities available to women entrepreneurs.
Eager to understand how she could benefit, she attended financial literacy training in Bushenyi. The training equipped her with knowledge about financial management, business development and access to credit. It also enabled her to open an account with Centenary Bank.
In February 2026, Clodeta successfully accessed a GROW loan of Shs5 million through Centenary Bank, repayable over 12 months. She makes monthly instalments of Shs436,400, inclusive of interest, and has been steadily meeting her repayment obligations.
The loan provided the much-needed capital to strengthen and expand her business.
With the financing, Clodeta has been able to purchase a plot of land, expand her grocery business into a larger shop and formally register her enterprise. Beyond the grocery business, she has also diversified her income sources through maize and bean cultivation.
These investments have not only strengthened her business but also improved the family’s livelihood. Today, Clodeta and her husband are able to provide a better life for their six children while supporting two employees through their growing enterprise.
At 34, Clodeta is proud of how far she has come. From arriving in Uganda as a 10-year-old refugee with her grandmother to becoming a business owner, landowner and employer, her journey reflects years of resilience, determination and hard work.
Her ambitions, however, do not end here. She hopes to complete repayment of her first GROW loan and subsequently apply for a larger facility to expand her business further.
Empowering women entrepreneurs through GROW
Clodeta’s experience reflects the opportunities that the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project is creating for women entrepreneurs in Uganda, including refugees living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
Funded by the World Bank, the GROW project is implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda. The initiative seeks to support women-owned micro and small enterprises to grow into small and medium-sized businesses through improved access to affordable financing, business development services and market opportunities.
The project has expanded into Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, recognising the economic potential of refugee women and the need to support them to build sustainable livelihoods as traditional humanitarian assistance gradually declines.
Through participating financial institutions, including Centenary Bank and UGAFODE Microfinance Limited, women entrepreneurs can access GROW-supported loans designed to address some of the barriers that traditionally prevent women from accessing formal financing, including limited collateral and credit history.
For women-owned enterprises that may not meet conventional banking requirements, the project also provides opportunities through the GROW Business Plan Competition Grant, with funding ranging from Shs3.5 million to more than Shs107 million for qualifying businesses.
Beyond financing, GROW offers business training, financial literacy, mentorship and other enterprise development opportunities through partners such as Enterprise Uganda.
For Clodeta, the opportunity to access financing has provided more than just capital. It has given her the means to invest in her business, acquire assets, diversify her income, create employment and plan for a more secure future for her family.
Her story is a reminder that refugee women are not merely recipients of humanitarian assistance. With the right opportunities, skills and financial support, they can become entrepreneurs, asset owners, employers and active contributors to their communities’ economic development.
