Masindi officials decry dependency syndrome for cooperatives

MASINDI, November 21, 2024 – Masindi Municipal Council officials have expressed concern over the failure of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs], and some producer cooperatives to sustain themselves.

This concern was raised during a budget conference for Masindi Municipal Council, held at Education Hall in Masindi town. The conference was centred around the theme, “Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialisation, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation, and Market Access.”

Monica Tibemanya, the Commercial Officer for Masindi Municipality, highlighted the significant challenge of sustainability for the SACCOs in the municipality. She noted that, after benefiting financially from various government programmes, many members disappear without a trace.

Tibemanya revealed that, under the Parish Development Model [PDM], Shs 2.2 billion was disbursed to 2,000 beneficiaries across 11 PDM SACCOs in Masindi Municipality, with beneficiaries engaged in various income-generating activities.

Under the Emyooga programme, Masindi Municipality received seed capital of Shs 600 million. Tibemanya stated that savings in the programme had accumulated to Shs 328 million, with loan repayments reaching Shs 374 million.

James Mugisa, the Acting Principal Community Development Officer for Masindi Municipality, noted that they face the challenge of locals not attending meetings when invited to discuss government programmes being implemented in their communities.

He added: “There is also over-expectation from the community for material goods from the department, coupled with understaffing, out of the seven expected staff, we only have three. Additionally, the delayed release of funds sometimes hampers the implementation of programmes.”

Davis Barungi, the Agriculture Officer for Masindi Municipality, lamented the inadequate supply of vaccines for livestock, the lack of value addition equipment, poor quality of farm produce, and the adverse effects of climate change such as drought, and hailstorms.

During the conference, heads of various departments expressed concerns about understaffing, which they said was crippling service delivery. They urged the central government to provide funding for the recruitment of additional staff to fill the existing gaps.

Daniel Kasala, the Town Clerk for Masindi Municipal Council, revealed that they were also grappling with a low revenue base. He stated that in the last financial year (2023/2024), they had projected to raise Shs 1.3 billion, but only managed to collect Shs 900 million, representing 71% of their target by the end of the financial year.

Kasala further mentioned that the priorities for the current financial year include agro-industrialisation and light manufacturing, the commercialisation of agriculture, value addition to agricultural products, and tourism development.

Ronald Businge Kyomuhendo, the Mayor of Masindi Municipality, commended the government for distributing funds to parishes under the PDM. He stressed that, if used effectively by the beneficiaries, these funds could transform households, communities, and the country at large.

“As leaders in this area, we must also do our part to drive development. Let’s sensitise people to ensure that there is value for the money received under different government programmes,” he said.

https://thecooperator.news/masindi-over-7000-benefit-from-pdm/

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