IGANGA, September 1, 2025 – Teachers in the Busoga Subregion are struggling to repay loans acquired through various teachers’ SACCOs affiliated with the Walimu Teachers’ Union Limited [WCU], which was capitalised by the Presidential Fund for Teachers to improve teachers’ livelihoods.
Charles Tenywa, the WCU Regional Coordinator, revealed this during a recent stakeholders’ engagement meeting held at Sikezy Hotel in Iganga Municipality.
According to Tenywa, Busoga is currently the worst-performing subregion in implementing the Presidential Fund for Teachers, with seven out of twelve districts registering poor performance. These include Namayingo, Mayuge, Luuka, Namutumba, Jinja, Iganga, and Kaliro, where funds earmarked for teachers were reportedly embezzled.
“In these districts, cooperative leaders colluded to forge lists of beneficiaries, including fake teacher names, and then shared the funds among themselves. This left many genuine teachers languishing in poverty,” said Tenywa.
He accused some SACCO leaders of forgery and misappropriation of funds, alleging that they exploited teachers’ names and codes to divert resources meant for their welfare.
Tenywa called on leaders in Busoga to intensify efforts in sensitising teachers on the importance of the Presidential Fund and its potential to improve their livelihoods.
He further noted that internal conflicts between different teachers’ unions, including arts teachers, science teachers, and the Uganda National Teachers’ Union [UNATU], over control and representation in relation to the fund had sparked intense debate. “The rivalry among unions has raised serious questions about who the true beneficiaries of the initiative are,” he said.
Tenywa also disclosed that UNATU members had taken WCU to court, with a hearing scheduled for October 2, 2025 in Kampala, concerning the ownership and control of the fund.
Caroline Atai Kiyai, the General Manager of Walimu, clarified that the Shs 7 billion fund was intended to revitalise teachers’ SACCOs in the districts, enabling them to provide affordable loans to members.
“This initiative is designed to improve teachers’ economic wellbeing beyond simply demanding salary increments from government,” she explained.
She added that WCU plans to use Buyende district as a model for successful implementation of the Presidential Fund in the Busoga Subregion.
Stanley Bayole, the Resident District Commissioner of Mbale, who was the chief guest at the meeting, urged teachers to remain focused and professional in their work. He encouraged them to invest cooperative loans in productive ventures such as purchasing land, to ensure long-term family security and economic growth.
“Let us use these funds wisely, investing in initiatives that bring lasting benefits to our families, rather than spending them on alcohol or unnecessary romantic pursuits,” Bayole said.
Meanwhile, Michael Kibwika, Dean of Resident District Commissioners in the Busoga Subregion, called on teachers to seize the opportunity presented by the Presidential Revolving Fund to uplift their economic status through income-generating activities.
He emphasised that the President Museveni’s decision to establish a special fund for teachers demonstrates his genuine concern for their welfare, giving them access to low-interest loans through cooperatives.
https://thecooperator.news/wcu-recognises-top-saccos-in-bugisu/
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