By David Mwanje
Ugandan women in the creative industry have been urged to turn their talent into profitable businesses by combining creativity with sound financial management.
The message was delivered by KCB Bank Uganda during Flower Land Fest 2026 held at Design Hub in Bugolobi, where designers, artists and small business owners gathered to showcase their work.
Speaking at the event, the bank’s Relationship Manager for Women in Business, Gladys Nalukenge Lubowa, encouraged women in the creative sector to pair their artistic skills with proper financial planning.
She said many creatives focus on their craft but often overlook the importance of financial management when building sustainable businesses.
KCB Bank participated as a gold sponsor of the festival, which marked the close of the 2026 Annual Women’s History Exhibit themed “A Garden of Her Own.” The event also served as a platform to show how small creative ventures can grow into structured businesses.
According to the bank, women running fashion businesses, craft enterprises, art studios or online content platformscan access specialised SME loans, investment products and digital banking tools to help them expand.
Uganda’s creative industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors among women and young people. It provides employment for thousands and increasingly earns foreign exchange through exports and tourism.
However, many entrepreneurs in the sector still face challenges such as limited capital, weak record keeping and uncertainty about accessing financial services.
To address this, KCB set up an advisory booth at the festival where women received guidance on applying for business loans, opening investment accounts and using mobile banking platforms to manage their income.
Many participants left the event with clearer plans on how to grow their businesses from small ventures into established brands with wider reach.
Nalukenge said the bank is ready to work with women across the country who are building creative enterprises.
She noted that whether someone is a fashion designer in Kamwokya, an artist in Gulu or a content creator in Mbarara, the bank is ready to support them in building businesses that can sustain families and create jobs.
KCB Bank plans to continue supporting women-led creative enterprises through training programmes, simplified loan processes and financial packages tailored for the sector.
Industry observers say demand for local fashion, crafts and digital content is growing both within Uganda and across regional markets.
