NEBBI, May 3, 2025 – Following reports of poor performance under the Emyooga Programme in Nebbi, the Resident District Commissioner [RDC] Robert Abak has directed Emyooga SACCO leaders to prioritise accountability and maintain proper records, as required by the programme guidelines.
While addressing SACCO leaders on issues of accountability and record-keeping in Nebbi Town on Wednesday, Abak expressed concern over widespread mismanagement within the SACCOs.
He noted that many SACCOs in the district are struggling to progress due to executive committee members colluding to withdraw funds from SACCO accounts without the consent of the broader membership.
“We are not seeing the intended impact of the Emyooga seed capital in the community because there is division among SACCO leaders. The top executives lack transparency and accountability in the management of their SACCOs,” Abak stated.
He further explained that mismanagement of funds by SACCO members has led to the depletion of accounts, making it difficult for groups to hold Annual General Meetings [AGMs], a vital platform to address such challenges.
According to Nebbi District Commercial Officer David Muswa, the district has so far received UGX 1.4 billion in Emyooga seed capital, disbursed across the two constituencies of Padyere and Nebbi Municipality. However, he said, the tangible benefits of the programme are yet to be seen.
Muswa stressed the need for more training among beneficiaries, citing poor record-keeping and a general lack of financial management skills as key issues.
“The management of Emyooga funds requires technical expertise. Beneficiaries need more knowledge to hold their leaders accountable and to close gaps in the programme’s implementation,” Muswa said.
Meanwhile, James Keuber, Chairperson of the Nebbi Mechanics Emyooga SACCO, said loan recovery has become a major challenge due to political interference. He explained that some beneficiaries wrongly believe the Emyooga funds are a government handout that does not need to be repaid.
“We are struggling to recover the loans. When we ask members to repay, they say the Emyooga fund was given to promote the NRM government and therefore shouldn’t be refunded. That’s why we are stuck,” Keuber said.
Emyooga is a presidential initiative aimed at wealth and job creation. It was launched in August 2019 as part of the broad government strategy targeting to transform 68 percent of homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production with the overall objective of promoting job creation and improving household incomes.
The initiative is centered on various 18 categories/enterprises/Emyooga covering majority of the hitherto, financially excluded Ugandans engaged in similar specialised enterprise categories. These include the mechanics, welders, salonists, restaurant owners, boda boda riders, carpenters, and journalists among others.
https://thecooperator.news/water-shortage-hits-three-subcounties-in-nebbi-district/
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