Standard Chartered Bank Uganda in partnership with their NGO partners Cordaid Uganda and Youth Business International (YBI) launched the Business Resilient Matching Grant Program as they celebrated Purple Tuesday.

Purple Tuesday is a global social movement that advocates for the improvement of the customer experience for disabled people and their families.

The bank is celebrating this initiative with month long initiatives and decided to light up their Speke Road head office building in purple to boldly recommit to go beyond banking to improve the customer experience for persons with disabilities by increasing their accessibility at their bank premises and in their operations.

As part of the celebrations, the bank took persons with disabilities from the districts of Lira, Nebbi and Zombo through a session on digital banking and cyber security before launching the Business Resilient Matching grant Program at a press conference.

The Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Helen Grace Asamo, handed over a cheque of Shs170 million to Cordaid on behalf of Futuremakers programme by Standard Chartered.

The grant will be awarded to 100 selected entrepreneurs with disabilities based on the evaluation of their immediate business needs as presented in their respective business plans.

The Grants for persons with disabilities in the districts of Lira, Nebbi and Zombo are meant to help them revive their businesses from economic shocks, support their business growth, create market and employment opportunities, and help them gain sustainable incomes.

Sanjay Rughani the CEO, Standard Chartered Bank welcomed the guests and said there is need to embrace the necessary principles, practices and changes needed to be more inclusive, towards individuals with disabilities.

The Chief Technology and Operations Officer and Disability Pillar lead at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, John Mwesigye, said the bank is committed to transforming the lives of the youths especially women and people living with disabilities from low-income households.

Rose Namutebi, the Project Coordinator, Highflyers Uganda Office at Cordaid Uganda noted that Cordaid understands that entrepreneurs are the backbone of local economies and play a vital role in creating jobs, stimulating innovation, and fostering economic stability.

“We also understand the plight and challenges faced by Persons with Disability and that is why as Cordaid we work with several partners and government to implement programmes that alleviate the challenges of various youth in the agricultural sector,” she said.