Ugandan women credit programs

The majority of rural credit programs in Uganda are either run by NGOs or financial institutions with donor funds. Women"s participation appears to be minimal. Targeted rural women"s credit programs include the Uganda Women Finance and Credit Trust (an affiliate of Women"s World Banking) and the Uganda Women Foundation Fund. Indigenous organizations organized as women"s credit and savings societies also operate in rural areas with memberships exceeding 600 in some cases. While limited credit is provided to small urban-based businesses, only a few women in trade receive loans. The report concludes that women"s access to commercial bank credit is "virtually non-existent". Constraints faced by women who want access to credit can be divided into two levels: (1) client level, and (2) bank level. Client level constraints include lack of knowledge about banking procedures and preparation of bank forms, lack of self-confidence in using bank facilities, limited access to management skills, and lack of information concerning the preparation of feasibility studies and available technical information. against lending to small businesses; bias against women applicants; lack of adequate long-term funding; and strict collateral requirements (mortgage on titled property). The report does not recommend the funding of additional credit programs for women, nor does it recommend a separate women"s credit window at the Bank of Uganda. (Author abstract, from PN- ABN-639)