Dokolo Emyooga SACCOs assured of additional seed capital

DOKOLO, January 17, 2025 – – The Microfinance Support Centre [MSC] has assured members of Emyooga SACCOs in Dokolo District of an additional Shs 20 million in seed capital provided by the government to boost the liquidity of the best-performing SACCOs.

The announcement was made during a recent refresher training session organised by MSC for Emyooga Programme stakeholders, including politicians, security officials, SACCO leaders, and others, held at the Dokolo District Council Hall.

The Emyooga Programme is a presidential initiative aimed at wealth and job creation. Launched in August 2019, it forms part of the broader government strategy to transform 68 percent of households from subsistence to market-oriented production, with the ultimate goal of creating jobs and improving household incomes within specialised groups such as boda boda riders, drivers, journalists, welders, hairstylists, and plumbers, among others.

Dokolo district currently has 36 Emyooga SACCOs, each involved in different enterprises such as welding, produce trading, and restaurant businesses. So far, only nine SACCOs in the district have received the additional Shs 20 million seed capital, having performed better in boosting savings, loan disbursements, and recovery. These SACCOs had previously received the initial seed capital of Shs 30 million, with the political leaders’ Emyooga SACCOs receiving Shs 50 million from the government.

However, Henry Opio, the Emyooga Focal Point Person for the Lango and Acholi subregions, assured that more SACCOs, regardless of their performance, will also receive the additional funding upon submitting their audit reports.

“President Museveni has pardoned all the SACCOs to help boost their capital. Whether you have performed well or not, the additional Shs 20 million seed capital is available from the MSC, as long as there is borrowing and repayment of loans,” Opio said.

He also pointed out that many of the Emyooga SACCOs in the district are no longer operational. “Most of the Emyooga SACCOs in Dokolo District have collapsed, except for the Dokolo Welders Emyooga SACCO and a few others,” Opio noted. Currently, only nine out of the 36 Emyooga SACCOs have received the additional capital of Shs 20 million.

The SACCOs that have received the additional funding include:

• Dokolo North County Produce Dealers SACCO
• Dokolo North County Restaurant Owners SACCO
• Dokolo North Veterans SACCO
• Dokolo North County Welders SACCO
• Dokolo South County Market Vendors SACCO
• Dokolo South County Produce Dealers SACCO
• Dokolo South County Restaurant Owners SACCO
• Dokolo South County Youth Leaders SACCO
• Dokolo South County Women Entrepreneurs SACCO

Isaac Otim, Chairperson of Dokolo North Youth Leaders SACCO, confirmed that they are in the process of receiving the additional seed capital. Otim acknowledged that some members of his SACCO had misused the initial funding but expressed optimism that the new capital would revitalise the SACCO.

Meanwhile, Abel Okullo, Chairperson of the Dokolo South County Emyooga SACCO, expressed his gratitude, saying the additional funds would be used wisely and directed to members with established businesses to ease loan recovery. “I am thankful to the government for this additional money. This time, we are targeting members who have started businesses, unlike in the first phase when the money was distributed indiscriminately,” Okullo said.

Emmanuel Peter Ogwayu, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Dokolo District, urged Emyooga SACCO members and leaders to organise their SACCO documentation to ensure prompt receipt of the funds. “You cannot be given money if you have not followed the correct procedures. Ensure your records are in order, and contact your Emyooga Focal Point Person for clarification and document effectiveness,” Ogwayu advised.

Patrick Alyenyo, the Dokolo District Commercial Officer, advised SACCO loan committees to carefully review loan applications, noting that they have the authority to reject applications that do not meet the necessary criteria. “The loan committees have the power to reject some loan applications. Not all applicants will receive funds. While there were challenges during the first disbursement of Shs 30 million, we want to ensure no SACCO collapses or fails to access the additional seed capital,” Alyenyo said.

Tonny Odongo Ocen, the Dokolo District Vice Chairperson, questioned why many government programmes struggle to succeed in the Lango Sub-region. He called for greater vision in development and advocated for value addition within the Emyooga Programme.

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