BUSHENYI, February 6, 2026 — In a bid to strengthen wealth creation and improve loan recovery, the Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner [RDC], Emmy Ngabirano, has convened a high-level taskforce meeting to assess the performance of the Emyooga Programme in the district.
The meeting, held on Thursday at Bushenyi district headquarters brought together officials from the Regional Microfinance Support Centre [MSC] and district local government leaders to strategise on monitoring Emyooga SACCOs and providing technical support where performance has stalled.
Ngabirano said the district leadership is keenly focused on the programme’s tangible impact on its intended beneficiaries. “We are interested in the impact of the programme on the beneficiaries and the recovery rate of Emyooga loans,” the RDC said, stressing the need for accountability in the management of public funds.
He ordered a fresh, independent audit of all Emyooga SACCOs in Bushenyi District to ensure compliance, curb complacency and improve loan recovery.
His remarks were echoed by the Regional Manager of the MSC, Daniel Musherure, who said the centre is currently cleaning up its data to ensure the programme’s sustainability. “The centre is interested in obtaining accurate data on SACCO operations, the amount of money to be recovered, and the steps required to revive the programme,” Musherure said.
He added that Emyooga remains a cornerstone of the NRM manifesto’s strategy to transition Ugandans out of poverty.
The Bushenyi District Commercial Officer, Christine Hope Komujuni, presented a progress report showing that the district has so far received Shs1.6 billion, which has been disbursed to 12,779 beneficiaries across 34 Emyooga SACCOs.
However, administrative challenges persist. The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer [CAO], Mbonye, noted that the programme’s integrity depends on accurate record-keeping. “For the programme to succeed, one of the key strategies is to identify and eliminate ghost members from the lists,” he said.
While the Emyooga Programme has helped women and youth groups expand their businesses and adopt a saving culture, district leaders acknowledged that some areas continue to struggle with loan defaults. In some cases, beneficiaries reportedly mistook the funds for political handouts rather than revolving credit.
Launched in August 2019 as a presidential initiative, Emyooga was designed to transform 68 percent of Ugandan households from subsistence farming to market-oriented production. By targeting 18 specialised categories — including boda-boda riders, journalists, welders and hairstylists — the government aims to provide both technical and financial support to financially excluded citizens to improve household incomes.
https://thecooperator.news/bushenyi-authorities-urge-timely-repayment-of-pdm-loans/
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