State House official warns SACCO leaders over corruption
NAPAK, October 20, 2025 – State House has issued a stern warning to leaders of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs] operating under the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs across the country, cautioning them against corruption and the misuse of public funds.
The warning was delivered by State House Comptroller Jane Barekye during a recent visit to Napak district, following a series of reports implicating several SACCO leaders in the embezzlement and misappropriation of funds meant for graduates of the skilling programme.
The SACCOs were established to enable graduates of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs to pool resources, raise capital, and apply their vocational skills through independent enterprises.
While addressing SACCO leaders from the Karamoja, Teso, and Sebei sub-regions at the Karamoja Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, Barekye urged them to uphold transparency and accountability.
“If you manage these funds properly, President Museveni has promised to inject more capital into your SACCOs,” she said.
She emphasised that the law would take its course against any individuals found to have diverted funds or engaged in fraudulent activities. “This is a permanent project if handled well. Open your eyes, money is money. Don’t misuse your authority. It’s criminal to allocate funds to non-trainees, and we shall arrest you if you do so,” she warned.
Her remarks come as part of a nationwide sensitisation and training campaign initiated after President Museveni allocated approximately Shs 8.8 billion to support SACCOs under the Presidential Skilling Hubs. Each SACCO received Shs 50 million as start-up capital to help beneficiaries launch their businesses.
Raymond Kamugisha, Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, advised prospective applicants to ensure they have a verifiable address to avoid administrative challenges during their training and after graduation.
The training session was facilitated by officials from the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives, as well as Post Bank Uganda.
Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government for the opportunity to acquire practical skills and access start-up capital.
Rosemary Isanga, a graduate of the Karamoja Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, now runs a bakery in Serere Town Council. “I dropped out in Senior 5. I applied to the skilling hub, and after six months, I received Shs 1 million in start-up capital. I now employ four workers and save Shs 450,000 monthly,” she said.
Similarly, Moses Owor from the Soroti hub runs a bakery in Soroti City. “Life was tough before joining the skilling hub, but now I can support my family. I urge women not to wait for handouts but to join these hubs and gain skills,” he said. Owor currently employs four people and saves Shs 550,000 monthly.
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