The Need for Microfinance in Uganda

WorldWise Microfinance launched the Uganda program in 2025. Uganda, a landlocked country in the Nile Basin of East Africa, contains a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania.

Despite its proximity to more prosperous African countries, Uganda faces significant development challenges. Uganda ranks 186th out of 192 countries in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita at $960. 55.1% of Ugandans experience multidimensional poverty, meaning that they lack access to healthcare, education, and the ability to escape from poverty.

Young women face particular obstacles: over 75% drop out before completing high school, many are married by age 18, and 56% of married women experience domestic violence by age 30. Limited access to financial services further constrains opportunities for women, who often rely on small-scale farming to support their families.

Making Loans in the Community of Mbarara

Mbarara City, in the Western Region, is Uganda’s second largest city and lies about 3 hours southwest of Kampala, the largest. Poverty in Mbarara is an ongoing issue addressed by local initiatives with support from the federal government. While Mbarara is known for agriculture and cattle farming, poverty persists, especially among women. As with many large cities in Africa, informal settlements shelter the poor who are hoping to find work in the city. Low economic growth and unequal income distribution contribute to poverty in Mbarara, making partners like WorldWise Microfinance exceedingly valuable.

Meet Our Partner Nsimbi Impact

WorldWise Microfinance partners with Nsimbi Impact to support women-led microenterprises in Mbarara. Nsimbi Impact was founded by Barbara Mutabazi, an MIT grad, with the mission of lifting women out of poverty by providing loans and support services. The ultimate goal is to foster economic growth and improve the social standing of women by enabling women to build and scale their own businesses.

Nsimbi Impact uses a fintech platform to deliver unsecured, flexible loans to women entrepreneurs who are overlooked by traditional banks. (“Nsimbi” fittingly means “money” in Luganda, the native language.). Nsimbi’s innovative model is turning heads in the impact finance space, and got invited to present at a sustainable finance summit in Geneva. Our first loans were issued in early 2025. Our shared commitment to reducing barriers to financial access—such as lack of collateral, limited financial literacy, and scarce formal banking infrastructure—allows us to change the future for our loan recipients.

Why This Partnership Matters

Partnering with WorldWise Microfinance aligns perfectly with our mission to provide underserved women entrepreneurs with the financial tools they need to succeed. Together, we can scale our efforts to break down the systemic barriers that limit women’s access to capital and enable them to build sustainable, thriving businesses that uplift their communities.

—Barbara Mutabazi • Founder & CEO, Nsimbi Impact Fund

Support our Uganda program

The success of the Uganda program depends on building a strong foundation in order to expand and lift up individuals and communities for the future. Please consider supporting this program by donating to WorldWise Microfinance today.

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