APAC-Political leaders in Apac district have come under the spotlight for defaulting on Emyooga funds and as such failing to lead by example.
Emyooga is the Presidential Initiative on Job and Wealth Creation intended to support 18 categories of associations namely; boda boda riders, welders, taxi operators, fishermen, veterans, performing artists, and elected leaders, among others.
In 2021, Apac district local government and Apac Municipality received Shs 1.5 billion for 50 SACCOs in Maruzi North County, Maruzi County, and Apac Municipality. However, of the Shs1.5bln, disbursed to the SACCOs, only Shs 40 million has been recovered, with politicians topping the list of the defaulters.
James Ebony Oyuru, the Apac district commercial officer said several SACCO members especially the political leaders’ SACCO took the money but have not refunded it.
“When this money landed into the SACCOs of the political leaders, they borrowed the money but up to now most of them have not paid back the money. They are giving bad examples to other SACCO members. They thought it is a political gift from the president,” he told this reporter during an exclusive interview on Tuesday.
“The hurdles we have are the politicians and yet they are the people needed for Emyooga to do well. The Microfinance Support Centre [MSC] should come and talk to the politicians themselves. The politicians need mindset change for the success of this program,” he added.
Proscovia Acam, the Apac deputy resident district commissioner has now embarked on a ‘name and shame’ approach, a move she believes will help in recovering the money. She said they would soon launch a special follow-up on the defaulters.
“The president wants to uplift the common man from subsistence to the money economy but it is so irritating to see politicians abuse the programme [Emyooga]. The strategy is to arrest these politicians and take them to the school of understanding. Regardless of your god’s father, you will put on Yellow for misusing Emyooga,” she said.
Dickens Ebong, a member of Apac Municipal Political Leaders’ SACCO whose motorcycle was impounded for defaulting the loan, appealed to other beneficiaries of Emyooga to follow their repayment schedules to avoid embarrassment.
Apac district Chairman Odongo Asante said: “Our SACCOs are not doing badly with exception of some few because not all SACCOs can do well; others need a lot of intervention, especially on the principal of the revolving fund. Let the leaders be given a grace period to repay the money.”
“It’s not about politicians topping the list, but it’s about lack of financial literacy,” he added, blaming the poor recovery of the funds on the lack of sufficient training of the targeted beneficiaries.
https://thecooperator.news/soroti-city-leaders-resolve-to-arrest-emyooga-defaulters/
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