About LINKAGES
Get to know what we are all about, our mission and vision, how we work, as well as the team that is behind behind our impact.
Penny Mbabazi -Founder
Our journey started with a vision – one that saw opportunities where others saw none. LINKAGES was born out of a simple yet profound belief that, access to financial resources should be available for all. Today, we are empowering thousands of women and youth across Uganda by providing microloans, financial literacy training and the tools they need to build sustainable businesses. Because when access credit, families change, communities thrive, and nations prosper.
Every great movement starts with that single moment of realization—the moment you know it can be done before you figure out the ‘how’! For LINKAGES, that moment came in 2016 when I made the bold decision to leave my eight-year career in human rights and take the risk of becoming a social entrepreneur. This shift sparked a vision—one where I saw finance as a powerful tool for development, capable of empowering rural women to transform their families and communities.
My goal was clear: to create opportunities for rural women to start and run successful local businesses, that would enable them to provide for their families and shape their own economic futures.
By 2020, that vision had taken form. I founded LINKAGES—a dedicated social enterprise rooted in the belief that financial inclusion and local enterprise are the most effective keys we have to break the cycle of poverty in rural communities.
Our journey began with just $2,000 and three Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), providing women in each group with microloans to invest in their existing businesses.
Within two cycles of three months each, every loan was repaid, proving that when given the right tools, people can take charge of their own progress.
Today, what started as a simple idea has evolved into a movement of resilience and economic transformation. Thousands of rural women and young people across Uganda are not only rising out of poverty but are also driving meaningful change within their communities.
Together we can create opportunities, break the cycle of poverty, and transform entire communities. Join our mission and let’s create change, one business, one family, and one community at a time.
2020: The Birth of LINKAGES
Empowering women through microloans
- In August 2020, LINKAGES was founded with and registered as a legal entity, a company limited by Guarantee without shares.
- The First Pilot Project, obboarded 3 VSLA in three district (Gulu, Kiryandongo and Isingiro) and issued the first loans.
2021: Scale-up of impact Through Partnerships
Support from All the Sky Foundation
Our early success caught the attention of All The Sky Foundation who believed in our model and helped us to expand ever further. Their support helped us to:
- Onboarded more VSLA and expanded our operations to two more districts (Mbarara and Kabale) in western Uganda.
- Grow from 3 to 26VSLA supporting over 300 women with both business and agricultural laons to run local businesses,
- Provide financial literacy training to over 500 entreprenuers
The momentun was buuilding and communities were transforming.
2022: Growth and Institutional Recognition
Building the Team and Strengtheing Partnerships
- 2022 was a turning point for our growth. LINKAGES hired its first Executive Director, along with a dedicated team of three Field Coordinators and three volunteers. With an expanded team, the organisation’s mission reached even greater heights.
- In the same year, LINKAGES also became a member of the Association of Non-Deposit Taking Microfinance Institution in Uganda.
- By December 2022, the groundwork was laid for even greater impact.
2023: Innovation and Recognition
A year of Growth, Training, Honor and Recognition
- With a strong foundation, LINKAGES introduced the Cascade Method of Training (CMT) a game-changer approach where experienced VSLA identify, train and mentor new groups within their communities for sustainable growth.
- 14 new VSLA were onaborded, brining a total to 38 VSLAs.
- LINKAGES became a member of the ACCESS coalition, expaning our work and influence
- Penny Mbabazi, Executive Director was honored as one of the 52 Laureates for Women in Africa driving change in the finance and agriculture category.
These milestones re-affirmed our commitment to onboard more VSLA and empower communities.
2024: Building Business, Creating Jobs
Expanding Reach and Creating Opportunities
- By June 2024, LINKAGES had firmly established its presence across five districts of Uganda: Gulu, Kiryandongo, Isingiro, Mbarara and Kabale. Through these efforts:
- 42 VSLA were supported
- 500+ businesses were lauched, including local resturants, shops, tailoring workshops, brick making, fuel retailing and farming.
- 350+ jobs were created employing young people working as waitresses, shop attendants, farm managers and laborers.
- Over 80% of these businesses are owned by women.
- In November, LINKAGES became a member of Uganda Financial Literacy Association (UFLA)
With such growth, women are no longer participants in the local economy, but are leaders, entreprenuers and change makers.
2025: Bulding Systems and Strengthening Structures for the Future
- As of February 2025, LINKAGES is supporting 44 VSLA
- The journey is far from over, every milestone marks the beginning of another transformation story waiting to unfold.
Penny Mbabazi
Founder & Executive Director
Jennifer Adokorach
Field Coordinator – North Western Uganda
Eric Okwera
Field Coordinator – Northern Uganda
Jotham Musinguzi
Field Coordinator – Western Uganda
Joshua Mutama
Financial Consultant
Addah Mushabe
Volunteer – Technology uptake
Lucky Kyomuhangi
Admin Assistant
Medicine Abert Ahamya
Volunteer – Community Mobilization
Paul Nuwagaba
Lead Trainer and Consultant
Our lead Training Consultant has over 25 years of experience in financial sector delivering advanced skills training for both local and international programs.
Paul has diverse expertise in corporate finance, financial analysis, conducting market research, business trainings, coaching and mentorship working with small and medium enterprises, donor organizations, financial institutions (commercial banks, Savings and Credit Corporative (SACCOs), farmers groups and individuals.
He is a Fellow of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance, A Diploma in Accounting and Finance and several certificates in the same field.
Paul Abaikiriza
Trainer
Our training consultant, Paul, embodies the spirit of social entrepreneurship, bringing a wealth of experience in community mobilization and training to the table.
With a remarkable seven-year journey in the field, he has honed his expertise in business finance, financial literacy, and business development skills. Paul has dedicated himself to working with last-mile entrepreneurs, bridging the gap between rural and urban communities.
His commitment extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as he is the visionary founder of PAUFE Financial Services Ltd. This company stands as a testament to his dedication to empowering low-income earners in rural Uganda by providing them with access to financial resources through responsible loans.