Winfred Phiona Adong, the founder of Ayoma Manufacturing Company in Soroti District, has attributed the rapid expansion of her construction and paper products business to a strategic loan from Equity Bank.
Speaking at Equity Bank’s Customer Service Week Stakeholder Breakfast in Kampala on Tuesday, Adong shared how the financial support enabled her to scale operations and empower women, particularly single mothers, in her community.
Three years ago, Adong left her corporate sales career to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions in Soroti. “I am ambitious and wanted to channel my skills into something impactful,” she said, noting her decision to venture into the male-dominated construction sector.
After being turned down by other lenders, Adong approached Equity Bank and secured a 300 million Ugandan shilling (approximately $80,000) loan to establish Ayoma Manufacturing and Construction Company in January.
“Equity Bank didn’t just provide funds—they offered a flexible repayment plan and capacity-building support, including financial literacy training,” she explained.
Under her leadership, the construction arm has completed notable projects this year, including waterborne toilets at Queen Elizabeth National Park and staff housing at Mount Elgon National Park.
Adong soon diversified her enterprise by launching Ayoma Toilet Papers Industry Ltd., financed through Equity Bank to procure raw materials like pulp wood for the production line.
Claver Serumaga, Equity Bank’s executive director, highlighted the bank’s client-focused approach. “We follow up on our customers’ progress and provide ongoing support because their growth drives our growth,” he said.
Ayoma Manufacturing now plans a tenfold expansion, with ambitions to introduce stationery products and an automated production line. Currently, its toilet paper is available in Lira, Gulu, Mbale, and Jinja, with plans to expand to Kampala.
Adong emphasized her commitment to empowering women, noting that most of her casual employees are single mothers. She also called on the government to consider tax incentives for local manufacturers to help them scale their operations and reach wider markets.
