In a landscape where many women battle cultural barriers, limited access to capital, and systemic challenges, some rise—not just for themselves, but for entire communities. One such woman is Nakanwagi Maria Gorret, the passionate founder of Nature’s Essence Ltd, a Ugandan agribusiness transforming lives through the humble mushroom. But Maria’s journey is more than a tale of agricultural innovation—it’s a shining chapter in the evolving legacy of the dfcu Rising Woman Initiative, which continues to empower, elevate, and equip women entrepreneurs across Uganda.

Launched in 2018, the Bank Rising Woman Initiative, in partnership with Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), was created with a bold mission: to give Ugandan women entrepreneurs a platform to tell their stories, gain skills, and secure the support they need to scale. Since its inception, the initiative has impacted over 70,000 women, provided training across Uganda, and awarded seed capital to outstanding business ideas.

Each year, the competition invites women to pitch their businesses for a chance to win financial support, gain national visibility, and receive business training. Now in its seventh season, the initiative has become one of Uganda’s most powerful springboards for female entrepreneurship.

In 2022, Maria took an early retirement from a 15-year government career that spanned roles at the Office of the Prime Minister and Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Armed with a Master’s degree in Rural Development and a passion for natural health, she launched Nature’s Essence Ltd, a company focused on vegetable and herb value chains—with mushrooms at its heart.

The inspiration? A family member’s diabetes diagnosis. Searching for natural remedies, Maria discovered the healing power of mushrooms. When her home-grown mushrooms improved her loved one’s health, she knew she had found her calling. During the COVID-19 lockdown, as many businesses faltered, Maria’s mushroom products thrived—proof that wellness and food security were more essential than ever.

On a quiet evening in 2023, Maria stumbled upon a last-minute call for applications for Season 5 of the Rising Woman competition. With just a week to the deadline, she submitted her proposal—detailing her vision of building a community-based mushroom network with health at its core.

She recalls the training and pitching process as a crucible of growth: “Seeing younger, more seasoned entrepreneurs was intimidating, but I leaned on my background as a teacher. The pitch made me articulate not just what I do, but why it matters.” Her authenticity, community focus, and compelling business case won the judges over—and she emerged as one of the initiative’s winners.

Her story has since taken her beyond Uganda’s borders—speaking at trade fairs in Nairobi, being recognized by the African Development Bank for women in renewable energy, and mentoring other women to grow mushrooms as a source of income and nutrition.

“I became known as Mama Butiko,” she says with pride. “I no longer walk into a room unnoticed.”

Maria is quick to highlight the uphill climb many Ugandan women face—lack of land ownership, limited collateral for loans, and a business culture that often sidelines women. But she insists: success is still possible.

“You start with what you have,” she advises. “Even if it’s a small space on your veranda. Use your skills, leverage your networks, and grab every opportunity. Rising Woman was that opportunity for me.”

Her story is proof that women don’t just need capital—they need belief, mentorship, and platforms that allow them to rise.

Now in Season 7, the Rising Woman Initiative is evolving, just like the entrepreneurs it nurtures. The program continues to run regional business skilling sessions, mentorship programs, and strategic collaborations aimed at deepening its impact.

More than a competition, Rising Woman is now a community—a network of alumni like Maria who are paying it forward, inspiring others, and proving that with the right support, Ugandan women can lead change across sectors.

From a backyard garden to a thriving agribusiness, Maria’s journey reminds us that innovation doesn’t always begin in a lab—it can start in a kitchen, on a farm, or in a hospital room. It also reminds us that when women rise, communities rise with them.

Through initiatives like dfcu Rising Woman, and through the courage of entrepreneurs like Maria Nakanwagi, Uganda’s future is looking not just brighter—but more inclusive, more sustainable, and more female.