KWANIA, November 21, 2024 – Kenny Auma Lapat, the Kwania district Woman Member of Parliament, has made a generous donation of Shs 2 million to 10 Village Savings and Loan Associations [VSLAs] in Wigweng Parish, Atongtidi Subcounty, Kwania district.
The beneficiary groups include: Amwanga Church of Uganda VSLA, Par Pii Anyim St. Gabriel Amwanga VSLA, Pe Ilwor VSLA in Amwanag A, Orib Cing VSLA in Baradu, Wek Kiti Paco VSLA in Anamoringo, and Imaki Onote VSLA from Baradu. Other groups are Note En Teko VSLA from Wigweng, Apyelamot VSLA, Obanga En Mar VSLA from Apyelamot, and Bedigen VSLA from Amwanga B. Each group received Shs 200,000 in seed capital to boost their savings.
This donation is part of MP Auma’s personal initiative, following a commitment she made during the 2021 election campaign to economically empower women at the grassroots level and improve the livelihoods of mothers in Kwania district.
In addition, Harriet Ajalo Omara, a banker with an interest in running for the Kwania Constituency MP seat, and Geoffrey Eling Owera, Kwania District Vice Chairman and aspiring candidate for the district LCV seat in the 2026 general elections, each contributed Shs 200,000 to support the women’s groups.
While addressing the VSLA members on Saturday at St. Andrew Church of Uganda Amwanga, MP Auma encouraged them to use the funds wisely to improve their livelihoods. “You should use this money wisely to move from grass-thatched houses to permanent ones. We provide financial support like this to create success stories. When you empower a woman, you empower the whole world. That is what I am doing,” she said.
Warning against multiple borrowing
MP Auma also warned the VSLA members against borrowing from multiple institutions, a practice she said could lead to the collapse of their groups. “It has been established that when a member fails to repay a loan from one SACCO, they turn to another SACCO, only to fail to repay again. This habit leads to bad loans accumulating in multiple SACCOs, which eventually leads to their closure,” she cautioned.
Financial literacy training
Juliet Awino, Secretary of Wigweng Women’s SACCO, requested MP Auma to help source financial literacy training, and a tractor to boost their agricultural productivity.
Philip Olem, a consultant in financial matters, urged the VSLA groups to open bank accounts to secure their savings. “It is not a good practice to keep money under your pillow. You need to open a bank account to protect your savings. Remember, these village banks are owned by you, and you must work to ensure their survival and sustainability for the benefit of your development,” he said.
Praise for continued support
Mildred Egwar, Chairperson of Wigweng Women’s SACCO, praised MP Auma for continuing to support women’s savings groups, and providing an ambulance to the community. “In a special way, I want to thank Kenny for her extraordinary support in developing women’s groups. You brought an ambulance to the community and initiated the Skilling Initiative to support young girls who were impregnated during the COVID-19 lockdown. We will always stand with you,” she said.
The 10 VSLAs, which are drawn from villages within Wigweng Parish in Atongtidi Subcounty, began with just one group, Amwanga Church of Uganda VSLA. In 2012, the groups formed the Wigweng Women’s SACCO with 38 members, a number that has since grown to 379 members, with a loan portfolio of over Shs 10 million.
https://thecooperator.news/mp-auma-donates-extra-shs-2-7mln-to-kwania-vslas/
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