Fort Portal City MPs ask for more money for Women Entrepreneurs’ SACCOs

FORT PORTAL – Members of Parliament representing Fort Portal City have asked the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) for more money from the Emyooga programme to women entrepreneurs’ SACCOs.

The Fort Portal city woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Irene Linda Mugisa said, she got a report from women that they received little money which is not enough.

“I received complaints from women entrepreneur groups that they were given Shs 1m and others Shs 2m per association and yet each association has 30 members. What can that money do for those women?” she asked.

She said this during a consultative meeting of Emyooga SACCO leaders and members of parliament representing Fort Portal City at Nyabukara Youth Center.

The Members of Parliament had been directed by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Anita Among to undertake a fact-finding mission to assess the progress of the Emyooga program.

Hon. Linda requested the Microfinance Support Centre to immediately add more money to women entrepreneurs’ SACCOs and to other active groups so that they can benefit from the Emyooga fund.

She said women are so hardworking and therefore need more money in order to benefit fully.

The Chairperson, Fort Portal North division Emyooga Women Entrepreneurs’ SACCO, Claire Dorcus Kobugabe said under their SACCO, they have 52 associations each comprising of 30 members.

“We thank the president for this initiative; however, the money is not enough because some associations have to wait until those that took loans repay. For the associations we have given money, they have taken Shs 1m or Shs 2m but still, it’s not enough,” she said.

Kobugabe requested the Microfinance Support Centre to add them money if they are to benefit at all.

The Fort Portal Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Rodgers Mbabazi advised those who got the money to use it well however small it may be so that they can be added more if need be.

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“We have realized that some SACCOs have many associations but I urge you to use the money very well and more money will be added to you later,” Mbabazi said.

Mbabazi appealed to all SACCO leaders to ensure that members who take loans start up projects that will help them in loan recovery.

The Fort Portal Central division Member of Parliament, Hon. Alex Ruhunda urged members to multiply the seed capital given to them.

“This is a revolving fund that is meant to boost your income so it’s up to you to ensure you benefit,” Ruhunda said.

The Microfinance Support Centre Regional Coordinator, Dramadra Killion said, 36 SACCOs from Fort Portal City qualified and received Shs 112m, each division getting Shs 560m.

Emyooga is a presidential cluster initiative on wealth and job creation which was introduced in 2019.

Emyooga targets 19 clusters including restaurant owners, boda boda, women entrepreneurs, carpenters, salon operators, journalists, people with disabilities, fishermen, mechanics, performing artists and taxi operators.

Under this project, each SACCO is supposed to receive up to Shs 30m to be accessed as a revolving fund by members to boost their respective income generating ventures, at an interest rate of as low as 8% annually.

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