Editor
RDC Mbarara, Turyabagyenyi Emmanuel Kateera, has initiated an operation aimed at apprehending and disciplining all suspected loan defaulters of the Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation Emyooga program funds.
The announcement was made at the RDC’s office in Bwizibwera, Rutooma town council, Kashari south, Mbarara district. Turyabagyenyi declared the operation after arresting members of Kashari South Saloon Operators Sacco and the Kashari South Youth Leaders Sacco who had failed to repay a sum exceeding shs 20 million.
The operation’s goal is to arrest all suspected Emyooga program funds defaulters to ensure the repayment of money to respective Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Saccos), allowing more individuals to benefit as the SACCOs continue to grow.
Turyabagyenyi stated that those arrested, starting with six individuals, would be charged with sabotaging government programs and obtaining money by false pretense, as the funds were provided by the government for utilization and income generation.
He characterized such suspected loan defaulters as individuals opposing the government and using excuses to blame it for alleged failures. Turyabagyenyi expressed satisfaction with those showing commitment by repaying, and the operation will continue to recover the money, extending to Kashari North constituency in the next phase.
District Commercial Officer Mbarara, Adams Bwisho, clarified that the exercise aimed to remind Emyooga program loan defaulters that the money was received as a revolving fund that must be repaid to the SACCOs.
The Chairperson of Kashari South Saloon Operators Sacco, Ms. Nitushaba Rose, appealed to all suspected loan defaulters under the Emyooga program to start paying promptly to avoid arrest.
The Chairperson of Kashari South Youth Leaders Sacco, Seluyange Elias, appreciated the government for introducing the Emyooga program. He revealed that notices were delivered to all Emyooga loan defaulters before the operation commenced, expressing gratitude to the RDC for providing assistance and an enforcement team to apprehend the suspects.
