Gulu: Shs 40.7mln Emyooga funds disbursed to beneficiaries
GULU, January 12, 2026 — A total of Shs 40.7 million was disbursed last year to beneficiaries in Gulu District under the Emyooga programme, a presidential initiative launched in August 2019 to promote wealth creation and job creation in Uganda.
The programme seeks to transform 68 per cent of households from subsistence to market-oriented production, with the overall objective of increasing employment opportunities and improving household incomes.
Simon Ojara, the Emyooga Focal Person for Gulu district, said the funds were distributed to four Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs]. Aswa Mechanics Association received Shs 2 million, Aswa Restaurant Owners Association Shs 3mln, Performing Artists Association Shs 15.7mln, and Aswa Fishermen Association Shs 18mln.
Ojara noted that access to the revolving fund has remained limited, largely because some initial beneficiaries have failed to repay their loans.
Under the programme, Emyooga funds are issued as grants to SACCOs, which then lend the money to their member associations at an interest rate of about seven percent.
Since the programme’s launch in Gulu district in 2021, a total of Shs 760mln has been disbursed to 890 beneficiaries. However, only Shs 179mln has so far been recovered.
“Some of the groups no longer exist, while some members have deliberately changed their locations to avoid being traced,” Ojara said.
He explained that SACCOs which fail to recover loans deny other members the opportunity to access affordable government credit.
“We are now encouraging those who have not benefited from the funds to form new SACCOs with new leadership, because we realised that many groups collapsed due to weak leadership,” he said.
According to Ojara, about 90 percent of Emyooga SACCOs failed as a result of poor leadership.
“When leaders take loans and fail to repay them, it becomes difficult for them to enforce recovery among members. As a result, such SACCOs cannot apply for additional funding from the Microfinance Support Centre [MSC], yet they are expected to do so,” he added.
Mario Akena Onek, chairperson of Anyim pa Drivers Association under the Aswa Taxi Operators’ Emyooga SACCO, said the group opted for a collective business venture after experiencing widespread loan defaults.
“Our SACCO received Shs 30mln in 2021, but many members failed to repay the money, citing a poor economy,” Onek said. “That is why we decided to form a smaller group of 12 members and invest the additional Shs 19mln we received under Emyooga in purchasing a taxi.”
He added that operating the taxi as a group investment has strengthened their commitment to loan repayment, with the aim of securing additional funding to acquire another vehicle.
Anyim pa Drivers Association is currently the only taxi service provider operating on the Gulu–Awach Town Council route, which is largely dominated by boda bodas.
https://thecooperator.news/gulu-hands-over-pece-war-memorial-stadium-to-ncs-for-redevelopment/
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