Part of the 2013 Business Fights Poverty Event Series, and ahead of International Women’s Day 2013, Bridging the Gap for African Women in Business, focuses on the Supply chains of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) brings together business executives from MNCs, women who run Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in East Africa, donors and academics.

Within that context the meeting will explore the opportunities that exist for African Women to join the supply chains of MNCs as well as the business case for women being part of such supply chains both as suppliers of goods and services. The findings from this event will be fed back to Business Fights Poverty a network of Business Professionals, Multinational companies, Academics and Donors.

Panel 1

The first panel will comprise of female Business Executives who will explore the challenges they face in getting women to supply into MNCs:

• Dr. Maggie Kigozi- Director, Crown Beverages
• Olive Kigongo- President, Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director, Amagara Skin Care
• Samile Namwanje- Human Resource Manager, Nile Breweries Ltd
• Dorothy Tuma - Consultant, DMT Consult Ltd

Panel 2

The second panel will comprise of East African women in Business who are successfully supplying into MNCs:

• Maria Odido Difonzo - Chief Executive Officer, Bee Natural Uganda Ltd
• Josephine Okot - Managing Director Victoria Seeds Ltd
• Prudence Ukkonika- Managing Director K-roma Enterprises
• Hope Kabirisi - Managing Director, Perfect Roses Farm Ltd

13.00-13.10

Introduction - Ruth Aine: Programme Coordinator

13:10- 13:25

Welcome Remarks: Ida Horner: Meeting convener

13.25-13.35

Chair Uganda Manufacturers’ Association

13:35-13.50

George Mbogo- Local Enterprise Development Manager- SABMiller/ Nile Breweries

Business Executives Panel: Multi National Corporation Supply chains

14.00- 14.45

This session will explore the challenges and opportunities that exist within the supply chains of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) by addressing the How, What and Why

Moderator: TMS Ruge, Co-founder Project Diaspora

Panellists

1. Dr. Maggie Kigozi- Director, Crown Beverages
2. Olive Kigongo- President, Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director, Amagara Skin Care
3. Dorothy Tuma - Consultant, DMT Consultants Ltd
4. Samalie Namirembe- Human Resources Manager Nile Breweries

14:45-15:00

Question Time

Women in Business Panel: Challenges in accessing MNCs Supply Chains

15:00-15:45

This session will hear from women who are successfully supplying into MNCs, how they did it and what challenges they faced

Moderator: Dr Ruth Bahika- Founder Grace Villa

Panellists:

1. Maria Odido Difonzo - Chief Executive Officer, Bee Natural Uganda Ltd
2. Josephine Okot - Managing Director Victoria Seeds Ltd
3. Prudence Ukkonika- Managing Director K-roma Enterprises
4. Hope Kabirisi - Managing Director, Perfect Roses Farm Ltd

15:45-16.00

Question time

16.00-16.25

16.25-16.35

Key Note Speech: Hon Amelia Kyambadde- Minister for Trade and Cooperatives

Reflections- Ruth aine

16.35-17.00

Closing Remarks and Next steps: Ida Horner