Founded in 2006
Our operations in Uganda have grown to 159 branches across 80 districts. We now have more than 213,072 microfinance members and 102 branches of the small enterprise programme. In 2017, we contributed to alleviating poverty through our ultra-poor graduation initiative for youth. Through this programme, we provide assets to young people facing financial hardship and train them to improve their livelihoods and achieve their economic and social goals, thus lifting themselves out of extreme poverty.
Additionally, we partner with the MasterCard Foundation to implement a scholarship programme that aims to assist 5,000 academically gifted yet financially disadvantaged students to access quality secondary education. We also operate play labs to develop children’s cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well being through play. Almost 55,130 girls are learning about sexual and reproductive health through our adolescent clubs. Our goal is to assist them in becoming agents of change by achieving greater economic and social empowerment through our loans and training.
Our agriculture and livestock programme works with smallholder farmers to improve their production and livelihood. We offer credit to support farmers excluded from mainstream finance. We operate a tissue culture lab and also diversify seed varieties, which we market through our social enterprise. Our health programme focuses on children under five and women of reproductive age. We are introducing new technology and offering training to health promoters so they can collect data through mobile apps.
Stories
For more than a decade BRAC microfinance has enabled people living in rural and low-income communities in Uganda to access finance. As a regulated Credit Institution, we now offer even greater value with a broader range of financial services.
Harnessing the potential of future generations
We did not have a daycare centre for children of working mothers in our area. With my first loan from BRAC, I built a centre where mothers could leave their little ones without worrying about them. I used my second loan to expand to a kindergarten school. I now provide a safe learning environment for 35 children. I also employ six teachers and four non-teaching staff. I feel proud to play a role in the development of my community.
-Kyesubira Rachel
A determined story of success
I am a single mother. My first business was a temporary stall by the roadside. The loans from BRAC and the training on financial management helped me to invest and grow my stall. Today I am a self-sufficient owner of not only a grocery store, but also livestock, a service provision business, housing rentals and a bicycle-for-hire service. I used my income to build this house. My children are able to go to school and I dream of a bright future for them.
-Nankwanga Joy
The pioneer
I am the first client of BRAC’s microfinance programme in Uganda. I went from a stay-at-home mother of eight children to a businesswoman. I have a canteen in a local university, have bought land and built housing rentals. I began looking after the family after my husband got ill. I got the Citi Outstanding Micro-entrepreneurship award in 2010. The women in my community come to me to seek business advice. I feel fulfilled knowing that I am contributing towards socio-economic changes in my community.
-Naigaga Ruth Wamuro
