ZOMBO, April 28, 2025 – Lawrence Songa Biyika, Member of Parliament for Ora County in Zombo district, has committed seed capital of approximately Shs 400 million to support women’s Village Savings and Loans Associations [ VSLAs ] in his constituency. The funds will be disbursed through the Songa Community Foundation [SCF], an initiative established by the MP.
In an exclusive interview with this reporter over the weekend, Biyika revealed that 1,200 VSLA groups have so far been registered, each of which will receive Shs 200,000, on top of the Shs 100,000 previously distributed.
He said the initiative is intended to supplement the government’s financial inclusion programmes, such as the Emyooga Programme and the Parish Development Model [PDM], both aimed at tackling household poverty, creating employment, and building wealth at grassroots level.
The SCF, according to Biyika, will also provide financial literacy and entrepreneurial training to help women better manage their finances and sustain their income-generating activities.
“I promised these mothers during the campaign that I would support them, and advised them to form village savings and loan groups. Initially, I gave each group Shs 100,000, and now I am topping this up with Shs 200,000 to boost their small-scale enterprises,” Songa explained.
Addressing women’s groups over the weekend in Ndara and Gamba parishes in Alangi Subcounty, as well as Juloka Ward in Warr Town Council, the MP emphasised the need for women to work collaboratively with their husbands in combating household poverty.
He also took the opportunity to sensitise the community on a range of government development programmes, including Emyooga and the PDM.
Across parishes such as Lendu, Ndara, Kango, Ugusi, Umua, Kigezi, Zeu Lorr Central, Ayaka, and Angol Anyola Lower, women’s VSLAs have already started receiving the support.
Several beneficiaries have praised the initiative, citing its positive impact. Maureen Giramia of Anyola Village in Ndara Parish, Bruna Nyakidi of Kampala Village, and Beatrice Akumu of Gamba Parish, all members of Marpamungu Women’s Savings Group, told this reporter that the MP’s financial support has not only enhanced their ability to save, but also improved how they manage their finances.
Women who received funds in 2023 and 2024 reported a noticeable improvement in their farming ventures and small businesses as a result of the financial support from MP Songa.
Jesca Angoya, Chairperson of Amurupii Village Women’s Saving Group in Amurupii Village, Angol Parish, Atiak Sub-county, expressed optimism that the additional funds would boost her silverfish and cassava flour business.
Agness Nyakidi, a member of Awara Village Women’s Saving Group in the same sub-county, praised the MP’s generosity, stating that it is empowering women and playing a key role in reducing household poverty.
VSLAs are self-managed savings and credit group that does not receive any external funding. They are also self-capitalised using the Rotating Savings and Credit Association [ROSCA] model, where people can pool their savings and borrow from them to fund their needs.
https://thecooperator.news/mps-auma-okae-donate-shs-2-4mln-to-six-vslas-in-kwania-district/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 2
