Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, Minister of State for Microfinance, has directed the recently appointed Resident District Commissioners (ARDCs) and Assistant Resident City Commissioners (ARCCs) to ensure that all Emyooga fund beneficiaries repay their loans so that others may benefit.

“I’d like you to help me ensure that people who took the money return it so that other beneficiaries can benefit as well. Make certain that this money is recovered; schedule a conference with the signatories to determine who stole it; and require those recipients to repay the money. The laws are clear; the money must be repaid because it is a loan, but you must first meet with your supervisor and approve the scheme,” he explained.

The Minister made the call today while speaking to Assistant RDCs and RDCs who are attending a two-week introduction training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.

Hon. Kasolo further informed the commissioners that it is their constitutional obligation to supervise and monitor all government initiatives, and that if a government program fails in their districts or cities, they should blame themselves rather than politicians.

“We now have just one enemy: poverty. That is why you were appointed: to help Ugandans battle poverty,” he remarked.

The Minister also asked the Assistant RDCs/RCCs to be familiar with all aspects of Emyooga in order to successfully carry out their responsibilities under the program.

“You must understand the 18 kinds of beneficiaries. The finest weapon is knowledge; when on the ground, you must talk from an informed perspective. Emyooga only addresses 18 categories. Every constituency is intended to have one myooga sacco for each category. Each Myooga received Shs30 million, with leaders receiving Shs50 million. The initial total budget for each constituency was Shs560 million, and the funds were transferred directly to the myooga sacco,” he claimed.

“The RDC is the commander of the Emyooga in the district, and his or her word is final in writing. I told MSC not to pay any sacco without the RDC’s recommendation in order to avoid issues such as phantom saccos. “If there is a problem with ghost sacco, the RDC is responsible,” he continued.

Hon. Kasolo was also pleased to see that the program had been successful in some sections of the country.This money was provided to these saccos permanently, and it will remain in the saccos indefinitely. The President has now authorized him to continue financing every myooga sacco with Shs20 million based on the RDC’s recommendation.

“RDCs are not intended to benefit from Emyooga; you are above that. “And if you have been a member of any myooga, please withdraw,” the Minister recommended.

“Ensure that Ugandans benefit from government programs such as Emyooga; there, you will have contributed. You should ensure that service delivery improves in your jurisdiction; with better services, people would vote for NRM. “Make sure you campaign for NRM through service delivery,” he advised.

He also tasked the commissioners with encouraging Ugandans to support the Parish Development Model (PDM) project.

“Join me in spreading the gospel of wealth creation. You should also be money generators; being impoverished will jeopardize your position.”

Mr. Joseph Tukamushaba, the Head of Emyooga Secretariat, Microfinance Support Centre (MSC), informed the Assistant RDCs that the center’s primary goal is to assist Ugandans with cheap loans to help them improve their lives.

“We bring financial services closer to the people and we work through organised groups and cooperatives in order to cause development,” said Tukamushaba.

“As the government that cares for the people to cause socio-economic transformation, we came up with several programs like Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Fund, Parish Development Model PDM at the lowest interests so that we can help citizens progress in businesses financially.”

He added that the Emyooga was approved by the cabinet in 2019 to help the 39 percent of Ugandan families transition from subsistence to a money economy and market-oriented output.

“The MSC is the lead implementing agency and fund manager of the program and it offers the funds to 18 specialised enterprises / categories which include among others; bodabodas, carpenters, market vendors, journalists, veterans, performing artistes, fishermen and tailors,” added Tukamushaba.

“Ugandans have the capacity to achieve a lot when supported and they can make successful businesses to earn a decent living.”

He also asked Assistant RDCs and RCCs to support capacity building programs for effective implementation, lead monitoring initiatives as mandated by the government, and lead program sensitization initiatives to ensure effective program delivery.

Mr. Herbert Atuheire, the Principal Human Resource Officer in the President’s Office, instructed the Assistant RDCs and RCCs to rigorously adhere to the Public Service Code of Conduct and Ethics if they wish to be good public servants.

He stated that the Code of Conduct and Ethics is the foundation for implementing discipline in the public sector and ensures that public officials provide high-quality services to the general public.

“It allows public personnel to be loyal to the government and carry out government programs without fear or favour. It also ensures the efficient and effective use of resources, which fosters development,” Mr. Atuheire stated.

On the other hand, Mr. Atuheire stated that all public servants are expected to be familiar with the rules of the code of conduct and ethics, as well as other regulations governing public service.

“It is important that all public officers are aware of their rights, privileges and obligations.”