Summary:
- The Emyooga program targeted skilled groups such as tailors, mechanics, entrepreneurs, produce dealers, and performing artists. It covered 18 categories of Emyooga groups within Rukungiri’s three constituencies of Rujumbura, Rubabo, and Rukungiri Municipality, totaling 54 Emyooga SACCOs. These SACCOs include 725 associations with a total of 10,583 members across the district.
RUKUNGIRI: Rukungiri District is struggling to recover 40% of UGX 1,059,000,000 in loans disbursed to various associations four years ago under the Emyooga program.
According to Keithwright Ainebyoona, the district’s commercial officer, they have disbursed UGX 2,635,000,000, including savings and share capital, to the associations. However, only UGX 1,576,000,000 has been recovered, representing a 60% recovery rate, which is concerning district officials.
Ainebyoona highlighted challenges such as high default rates, with some members believing that the money was a government token or part of President Museveni’s campaign funds. He warned that the district would not tolerate non-repayment and would take action against associations that have not repaid any funds since 2021.
He mentioned that only 12 SACCOs have repaid their loans and received an additional UGX 20 million from the government through the Microfinance Savings Center. These SACCOs include Rubabo Bodaboda, Rukungiri Municipality Women Entrepreneurs, and Rubabo Produce Dealers, among others.
CUE IN AINEBYOONA….ON EMYOOGA……RR//ENG//
The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner, Steven Nsubuga Bewayo, stated that his office and the district have been actively sensitizing people to repay their loans. He added that they frequently receive lists of defaulters from association chairpersons.
He warned that these lists will be forwarded to the Rukungiri District Police Commander, leading to the arrest and prosecution of the defaulters in court.
CUE IN NSUBUGA BEWAYO….ON DEFAULTERS…..ENG//
The Emyooga program targeted skilled groups such as tailors, mechanics, entrepreneurs, produce dealers, and performing artists. It covered 18 categories of Emyooga groups within Rukungiri’s three constituencies of Rujumbura, Rubabo, and Rukungiri Municipality, totaling 54 Emyooga SACCOs. These SACCOs include 725 associations with a total of 10,583 members across the district.
