RITAH

The Minister of Microfinance, Honorable Kyeyune Haruna Kasolo, has spent two days traversing the four constituencies of Busia, meeting with Emyooga members to demand repayment from defaulters. He also addressed the implementation of new guidelines intended to ensure the success of the Emyooga initiative.

It was disclosed that approximately 65 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), comprising various associations in Busia, were disbursed 30 million as revolving funds three years ago. We have the report.

During a meeting with SACCO members, Minister Kasolo outlined new guidelines wherein SACCO executives would obtain a mandate to clear a member to receive SACCO funds. This differs from the initial guidelines, which required executives to be cleared by the Office of the District Commercial Officer and then the Resident District Commissioner (RDC).

Minister Kasolo announced that each existing SACCO would receive an additional 20 million.

The Minister instructed the Commercial Officer and the RDC's office to compile a list of Emyooga SACCO members across the district who have not returned the disbursed funds. These names will be announced on local radio stations, and the defaulters will be apprehended.

Suzan Wandera, the Deputy Mayor of Busia Town, remarked that the initiative has empowered a section of youths who were previously unemployed in the area. She urged the government to continue funding the initiative to further transform lives in the area.

Yahaya Juma, a Busia District Councilor, emphasized the need for special consideration for Busia, being a border area, to divert youths from engaging in illegal activities like smuggling.

Deputy RDC Grace Kanuna listed the names of members who received funds but absconded. She also outlined the tactics employed to apprehend these individuals and recover the funds.