LAMWO– After failing to access loans from commercial banks and other financial institutions, South Sudanese refugees in Lamwo Refugee Settlement have decided to form their own Paluda Farmers’ Sacco to serve them as they do business and farming.
Lamwo Refugee Settlement found in Lamwo district has about 75,000 South Sudanese refugees, all settled in the three settlements of Palabek Ogiri, Palabek Kal, and Palabek- Gem.
The refugees fled their country in 2017 after the South Sudanese government army launched a manhunt for several armed militias who were causing mayhem in the country.
However, the refugees’ endeavors to make ends meet have not progressed well as banks and other financial institutions in Uganda have been coy to extend financial services like loans to the refugees.
According to the Chairperson of the Sacco, Robert Ocan who said they can now support each member of the Sacco to start a business.
The Sacco that started in 2021 has 114members.
Ocan alleged that some banks in Uganda allow the refugees to bank with them but that the same banks do not give them credit when requested, a practice he said is unfair.
Regina Aketch, who is also a refugee and a mother of six, said they need financial assistance at the household level, which is why they formed the refugee’s Sacco.
“We feel that if banks can support our enterprises it will go a long way in achieving our dream of fighting poverty at a household level,’’ she said.
Chairperson of refugees in Lamwo Settlement John Pasquale asked the government to help the refugees, especially those in organised groups.
“ We are asking the government to help us when it comes to financial support as we also struggle to improve on our lives.’’
However, the commissioner in charge of refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister [ OPM ] Douglas Asiimwe, said refugees have genuine documents and that if banks cannot give them loans, it’s for other reasons.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Oswin Oguti advised the refugees to consider establishing income-generating activities to sustain their lives.
“Most of the banks are privately owned and it becomes hard to give refugees loans due to the fears that some keeps one leg here another back home and following up on the loans might be so challenging,’’ he said.
https://thecooperator.news/refugees-demand-for-inclusion-in-govt-programmes/
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