Senior Reporter
Drama unfolded at Bumbaire Saaco, a sub-county in Bushenyi District, when tensions flared among its members regarding missing Saaco funds.
The Saaco’s chairman, Robert Muhereza, revealed that an audit report revealed a suspense account holding approximately 151 million Ugandan Shillings. This discrepancy prompted members to demand an explanation from the board regarding the whereabouts of these funds.
In an attempt to pacify the agitated members, the Saaco’s general manager, Adonia Tushemerirwe, cited several challenges the organization was facing. These challenges included financial constraints and the resignation of Saaco employees, among others. Tushemerirwe also mentioned a theft incident where the Saaco lost 300,000 Ugandan Shillings and a mobile money phone worth 600,000 Ugandan Shillings.
However, this explanation further infuriated the members, leading them to request the intervention of the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in Bushenyi. They sought the assistance of a government auditor to thoroughly investigate the Saaco’s financial records, including all three branches in Bumbaire, Ibare, and Ruharo, in order to ensure the Saaco’s smooth operation.
Bumbaire Saaco boasts a membership of over 2,000 individuals and a share capital of 280 million Ugandan Shillings. It was reported that the organization had a balance of 1.9 million Ugandan Shillings in its account, primarily due to the fact that it had not been generating any profits according to its management.
The Bushenyi District RDC, Robert Atuhairwe, assured Saaco members that he would arrange for a government auditor to conduct a comprehensive examination of the organization’s financial records.
He urged members to exercise patience and tolerance towards each other while awaiting the audit report’s findings.
