In the heart of Mbale City is Winnie Manake, a 38-year-old entrepreneur whose passion for agriculture has grown into a thriving agro-processing enterprise. Through Elgwin Fresh Agro Foods Limited, Winnie processes nutritious food products, including pre-cooked beans, processed malewa, and value-added maize flour, supplying quality products to households and markets within her community.
Like many small business owners, Winnie's entrepreneurial journey was not without challenges.
"Over the years, I failed to separate the business from my personal livelihood," she recalls. "I was always using money from the business to meet my personal needs, and to make matters worse, I didn't understand the importance of keeping proper business records. As a result, it always seemed like my business was making losses instead of profits."
Everything began to change when Winnie participated in the Investing in Young Business in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) programme. Through the training, coaching, and mentorship provided, she gained practical knowledge that transformed the way she manages her business and plans for its future.
One of the most significant changes has been the establishment of a Board of Directors. This important milestone has strengthened the governance and strategic direction of Elgwin Fresh Agro Foods Limited. The board has enhanced accountability and positioned the business for long-term growth and sustainability.
Determined to build a business that could stand the test of time, Winnie strengthened her governance, professionalized her operations, and began the journey toward nationally recognized quality standards. This has been achieved through her personal initiative of pursuing certification from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
"Through the programme, I understood the importance of certifying my products. We have now completed the audit process and are awaiting the certification results. This milestone will increase customer confidence, improve the credibility of our products, and open up new market opportunities."
Beyond strengthening business systems, Winnie also took an important step towards professionalizing her operations by renting dedicated business premises. Separating the business from her home has created a more structured work environment, improved operational efficiency, and reinforced the business's identity as an independent enterprise.
The programme further created opportunities for collaboration with fellow entrepreneurs. Through the networks established during the training, Winnie developed a business partnership with Lwanda Maize Millers, who now supply flour for her production. This reliable partnership has strengthened her supply chain and contributed to the consistent quality of her products.
Today, Elgwin Fresh Agro Foods Limited is among the 360 women-led enterprises receiving green business advisory support through the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF). The initiative is helping women-owned businesses access finance, expand into new markets, improve operational efficiency, and adopt greener, more sustainable business practices.
For Winnie, the transformation goes far beyond improved business systems. It is about building a resilient enterprise with the confidence, leadership, and strategic direction needed to seize new opportunities. Equipped with stronger governance structures, valuable business networks, and enhanced technical capacity, Elgwin Fresh Agro Foods Limited is well positioned for continued growth, increased competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.
Winnie's journey demonstrates how the right support, practical knowledge, and strategic mentorship can empower women entrepreneurs to transform not only their businesses but also the communities they serve.
"Today I make business decisions with confidence because I understand my numbers and have a clear vision for growth," she concluded.