By Bazio Doreen. 

Adjumani District leaders have given Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation (Emyooga) Program SACCO leaders a condition to recover at least 25% of the loans given out and remit it back to the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) before they can access additional seed capital.

The additional seed capital of shs 20 million is already in the SACCO bank accounts, but they need to fulfill this condition before they can access it. Only 14 SACCOs out of 36 have so far received a total additional seed capital of shs 280 million.

The resolution was made during a review meeting convened by MSC to improve recovery of funds under the Emyooga program. With support from MSC, the 36 SACCOs so far have only recovered shs 894,149,004 out of the shs 1,568,220,000 loans disbursed to 338 associations.

During the meeting held on 9th April 2025 in the Adjumani District Council Hall, Nsubuga Francis, the Regional Manager for Northern Uganda, told the SACCO leaders that each SACCO had missed out on about shs 60 million in the past 3 years because of failing to refund the money in time.

He also observed that groups were failing to pay back the money because they thought the government was using it as bait to make them vote for the ruling party and President Museveni.

“Some groups were formed to purposely embezzle this money. It is now time to change that mindset and recruit better members. Many people thought the President was using it to encourage them to vote for him and NRM.” Nsubuga revealed.

On her part, Dipio Agnes, the Acting District Commercial Officer, told the SACCO leaders that they need to reorganize their groups, restructure the leadership through holding Annual General Meetings (AGM) by 9th May 2025, and conduct a financial audit for 2024 by 25th April 2025.

“No one is above the law. We don’t want anything to happen to you. I was almost arrested for recommending groups that have serial defaulters. The government is ready to provide technical support where possible.” Dipio said.

On the other hand, Obumai Simon Peter, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, also warned that the government is aware that many people misused the first disbursement of the funds and is ready to take action. He added that the government has already started by setting conditions for accessing additional funds. He also advised them to put money in enterprises of their groups and utilize it to a tune that is commensurate to the loan received.

“Some of you have failed to update your files because you put money in other things apart from your enterprises. The first phase was such a mess. I am glad that the government has now set a condition to unlock additional disbursement. We don’t want to embarrass the President; we shall arrest those who continue to fail to comply,” Obumai warned.

According to records at the MSC as of March 2025, the government had disbursed shs 1,120,000,000/= as seed capital to 36 SACCOs and 361 groups in Adjumani. Additionally, 1,260 employment opportunities were created, and 1,903 individuals have so far benefitted.

The MSC has moved further to establish another sub-office in Moyo District to serve the communities of Yumbe, Adjumani, Moyo, and Obongi districts. Previously, SACCOs needed to move to Arua City to be able to access services.

Nsubuga said, “We now have a new office in Moyo District to serve you people. This will save time spent accessing services and promote smooth running of the program.”

The Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation (Emyooga) Program was launched in August 2019 as part of a government strategy targeting to transform 68% of homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production with an overall objective of promoting job creation and improving household incomes, targeting 18 categories/enterprises.

END.