Nicholas A
Lydia Namara, the finance officer at the Microfinance Support Center Kabale, issued a call to action for Emyooga SACCOs, urging them to prioritize development and ensure the success of the program.
She delivered this message Wednesday while speaking to delegates from the Rubabo boda boda Emyooga SACCO at their 3rd annual general meeting held at the Nyarushanje sub-county headquarters.
Namara emphasized that many SACCOs faltered because they deviated from the primary objective of the program, which aimed to alleviate poverty among individuals with specific skills. She expressed concern about groups that misused Emyooga funds, viewing them as government grants rather than investments in their progress.
Commending the Rubabo boda boda Emyooga SACCO for its exemplary performance in Rubabo County, Rukungiri District, and the wider Kigezi region, Namara assured them of the Microfinance Support Center’s readiness to assist their SACCO. She noted that out of the 274 Emyooga SACCOs in the Kigezi region, the top three performers are Rubabo boda boda Emyooga SACCO, Kisoro Produce Dealers Emyooga SACCO, and Kabale Women Entrepreneurs Emyooga SACCO.
Caleb Begimanya, the SACCO board chairperson, recounted their journey since the SACCO’s inception in 2020. They initially received 30 million UGX from the government and demonstrated such commitment that they were granted an additional 20 million UGX in 2022. Begimanya shared that the Rubabo boda boda Emyooga SACCO currently boasts a membership of 2000, savings totaling 107,343,399 UGX, 20 motorcycles distributed as boda boda loans, a share capital of 19.2 million UGX, and total assets valued at 214 million UGX.
However, he lamented the setback caused by loan defaulters who borrow funds but fail to repay them as required.
Representing the former Rukungiri LC 5 chairperson, Anderson Katebire, Emily Kyogabirwe urged members of the Rubabo boda boda Emyooga SACCO to wholeheartedly embrace government initiatives, noting their potential to elevate their living standards.
