SHEEMA MUNICIPALITY –– The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, recently urged government to include local leaders in the implementation of the Parish Development Model [PDM], in order to improve its monitoring and effectiveness at the grassroots level.
Among made the call while meeting National Resistance Movement [NRM] delegates at the residence of Dickson Kateshumbwa, the Sheema Municipality Member of Parliament [MP].
She noted that it was ineffective to expect local leaders to monitor government programmes when they are not directly involved in its implementation.
“It is pointless for a local leader to be asked to monitor a government initiative if they are not a direct beneficiary or participant,” she stated.
Among urged the MPs to support the integration of local government leaders into the PDM framework, so they can mobilise and implement the programme more effectively within their respective parishes.
“We have discussed this in Parliament under the appropriation framework. We shall make a provision within the PDM to include executive members and party leaders as beneficiaries in their respective Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs]. We want them to oversee PDM SACCOs, but they cannot do so effectively if they are excluded from the benefits,” she said.
She added, “We will ensure that municipalities have their own PDM SACCOs for their leaders, and the districts will also have SACCOs tailored for local leadership.”
The Speaker also encouraged MPs to initiate village SACCOs to help their constituents transition from subsistence farming to a money-based economy.
“I want to thank the 11th Parliament for initiating the PDM. While we wait for full implementation, we shall establish a SACCO in the municipality and another in the district under the Anita Foundation. In Bukedea, I already have village SACCOs in place, and I urge each area MP to adopt a similar approach to drive economic empowerment,” she noted.
Among also appealed to Ugandans to avoid sectarianism as the 2026 general elections approach. “As we prepare for the next election season, I appeal to all citizens to vote peacefully,” she said.
During the event, President Yoweri Museveni contributed Shs 25 million, while Among pledged Shs 20 million. CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Capt Mike Mukula, and several MPs also made donations, raising approximately Shs 160 million to support urban SACCOs in Sheema Municipality.
“Today, I came here for two purposes: to launch Hon. Kateshumbwa’s performance report book detailing his last four years in Parliament, and to raise funds for SACCOs in Sheema Municipality,” Among said.
“I also bring contributions – Shs 25 million from the President in support of the people of Sheema, Shs 5 million from his son Muhoozi, and I have added Shs 20 million, making a total of Shs 50 million for the SACCOs,” she added.
MP Kateshumbwa contributed Shs 10 million, Capt Mukula added Shs 5 million, and other MPs also made donations, bringing the total to Shs 80 million. These funds will be distributed among women’s and youth SACCOs in Sheema Municipality.
Beneficiaries include: Sheema Journalists SACCO, Sheema Municipality Boda-Boda SACCO, Sheema United Ghetto People’s Association, and Sheema Municipality Women’s Business SACCO, among others.
Suzario Kanimi Ahimbisibwe, Loans Officer for the Boda-Boda SACCO, welcomed the support, noting it had already enabled many members to benefit.
“We started the Boda-Boda SACCO in May 2024 and currently have 301 members, total capital of Shs 90 million, and a loan portfolio of Shs 50 million. We thank Hon Kateshumbwa for helping us register the SACCO and for lobbying two motorcycles from the Microfinance Support Centre to boost our income,” he said.
He added that the recent fundraising contributions would improve their liquidity and meet the increasing demand for loans.
“This support is crucial. We’ve had many applicants, but limited funds. Now that funds have been mobilised, we’ll be able to support more members while encouraging others to join,” Ahimbisibwe stated.
Agnes Natuhwera, Accountant at Sheema Journalists SACCO, also welcomed the support, calling on more people to join.
“We currently have 145 members and capital of Shs 13.5 million. With this new support, we believe the SACCO will grow. We urge youth, women, and men to open accounts. This SACCO is not for journalists only,” she said.
Mukula, the NRM Central Executive Committee Vice Chairperson for the Eastern Region, praised Hon Kateshumbwa for his leadership in mobilising and supporting village SACCOs, contributing to Sheema’s transition to a middle-income economy.
Hon Kateshumbwa said his campaign is focused on ensuring every household in the municipality moves into the money economy.
“Our goal is to increase household income by ensuring families have access to capital. Through support to women’s and youth groups and collaboration with government, I’ve lobbied several projects. I’ve documented all this progress in the performance book launched…by the Speaker,” he said.
https://thecooperator.news/sheema-shuuku-sacco-boss-warns-against-loan-defaults/
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