Kapchorwa NRM leaders launch VSLA for financial access and political mobilisation

KAPCHORWA, August 7, 2025 – In a move aimed at fostering financial independence and enhancing grassroots political mobilisation, the National Resistance Movement [NRM] party leaders in Sirimityo Parish, Kapchorwa District, have officially launched a Village Savings and Loan Association [ VSLA ].

The VSLA group, led by Leonard Chemonges, the NRM Chairperson for Sirimityo Parish, brings together party leaders from all six villages of the parish. It is intended not only to promote a culture of saving and development but also to strengthen social bonds among NRM cadres by providing a platform for mutual support.

The launch event, held over the weekend at Kaserem Trading Centre, attracted more than 70 NRM leaders from the villages of Kubilat Central, Naigogoi, Askeniwo, Kaptwitable, Kubilat Main, and Reberwo. In a display of unity and shared purpose, party mobilisers, village chairpersons, women leaders, and youth coordinators came together to formally launch the group under the name: “NRM Leaders Development VSLA Association – Sirimityo.”

A Home-grown initiative for self-reliance

Speaking at the launch, Chemonges explained that the idea was born from a shared concern among local NRM leaders that financial dependency was weakening their political impact and organisational resilience.

“We have always been active politically, but economically we have remained weak. This initiative is about changing that. We want NRM leaders at the grassroots to become self-reliant, support each other, and set a development example for our voters,” said Chemonges.

Members of the VSLA will contribute savings on a weekly basis, with a minimum contribution of 5,000 shillings per member. The group will offer small loans for agricultural ventures, family emergencies, and small businesses. Profits will be shared annually, with a portion reinvested to ensure long-term sustainability.

Leaders rally behind the vision

The launch was endorsed by all six NRM village chairpersons, as well as local mobilisers, women leaders, and youth representatives. Isimu Chemonges, Chairperson for Askeniwo Village, called the VSLA a “new era of practical leadership.”

“We are tired of depending on external help for every small issue. This VSLA will give us dignity as NRM leaders. It means that if one of us is struggling, we can support him or her using our own money. That’s what we intend to achieve at parish level,” he said.

Chebet Zena, a representative of the NRM Women’s League in Sirimityo Parish, praised the initiative for its potential to empower women leaders, many of whom are excluded from formal financial systems due to lack of collateral and other requirements.

“This platform is going to empower us as women. We can borrow to improve our farms, pay school fees, and even start retail businesses. That’s the kind of empowerment that makes our party strong,” she said.

Political mobilisation through economic structures

While the VSLA is primarily an economic vehicle, Chemonges stressed that its broader goal is political. He believes financial stability among party leaders will lead to more effective mobilisation, especially during election cycles.

“When our leaders are united economically, it becomes easier to coordinate political activities. No one will say, ‘I don’t have transport for a meeting’ or ‘I can’t attend a mobilisation drive because I lack lunch.’ We are building strength from within,” he noted.

Plans are already in place to rotate weekly meetings among the six villages and to use the platform for training in financial discipline, enterprise development, and political messaging.

Youth and innovation at the centre

The group has prioritised youth inclusion, with participation from youth leaders, the boda boda association, and village chairpersons. Chepsikor Martin, Youth Mobiliser from Naigogoi Village, described the initiative as a “game changer.”

“Most youth are employed on farms, and many think politics is only for the old. But this initiative proves that youth can lead in innovation and development,” said Chepsikor.

He revealed that the group aims to co-invest in income-generating projects such as poultry keeping, boda boda transport, and group agribusiness ventures.

Transparent governance structure elected

At the launch, members elected a five-person committee to lead the association for its first year:

Chairperson: Chemonges Leonard [Sirimityo Parish NRM Chairperson]

Vice Chairperson: Chebet Zena [NRM Women’s League Representative]

Secretary: Chepsikor Martin [Youth Representative]

Treasurer: Chelimo Benna [Village Mobiliser, Kapwitable Village]

The group also adopted a constitution outlining savings procedures, loan policies, penalties for defaulting, and a weekly meeting schedule. Members agreed to meet every Wednesday, with venues rotating across the six villages.

Looking ahead

Chemonges announced that the next step is to expand the model to neighbouring parishes such as Ngesi, Kaptono, Weree, and Cherubei.

“We are not stopping here. This is the pilot project. We shall move across the entire sub-county and then the county. Our dream is to form a parish-to-county savings network of NRM leaders working together for development,” he said.

He also hinted at plans to register a cooperative union if the association continues to grow and attract wider membership from the general public.

Conclusion

The launch of the Sirimityo Parish NRM Leaders VSLA marks a bold new chapter in grassroots political organisation. By blending financial empowerment with political mobilisation, the initiative could serve as a model for other parts of Kapchorwa District and beyond.

As Chemonges concluded: “The revolution now begins with a coin. We are saving to grow, and we are growing to serve. This is how we can build a strong and self-reliant NRM party at the grassroots.”