NICHOLAS A
Rukungiri District Chairperson Geoffrey Kyomukama has urged retired civil servants to invest in income-generating projects to ensure financial stability after retirement.
Addressing retired head teachers from various parts of Rukungiri District, who are members of the Rukungiri District Retired Headteachers’ Association, Kyomukama noted that many retirees rely solely on their gratuity and pension instead of using the funds to establish sustainable projects.
He encouraged them to consider ventures such as coffee and banana farming, livestock rearing, and beekeeping, emphasizing that commercial farming can be highly beneficial if approached strategically. He also challenged them to adopt modern agricultural practices, including irrigation, to serve as role models in the farming sector.
Turyazayo David Kapiira, the chairperson of the Rukungiri District Retired Headteachers’ Association, outlined the core values of their association, which include mutual support in both challenging and prosperous times.
He highlighted that the association, which was established in 2023, initially comprised only retired head teachers and education officers. However, they recently resolved to include retired substantive deputy head teachers from both primary and secondary schools.
Turyazayo further revealed their ambition to transition the association into a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), citing good performance, but noted that they still lack some of the necessary requirements.
He also expressed concerns over the delayed disbursement of pensions, stressing that retired individuals often struggle financially due to these delays.
Among the attendees was the Rukungiri District Secretary for Education, Commercial Services, and Tourism, who advised retired civil servants to prioritize their pension spending wisely. She expressed concern over retirees who exhaust their pensions on expensive cars and large houses, which ultimately leads to financial struggles.
She emphasized the importance of saving and encouraged senior educationists to set aside a portion of their earnings to safeguard their future.
In response to the request for agricultural support, Natukunda Naome, an official from the Rukungiri Production Department, advised the retirees to reorganize themselves at the sub-county level to qualify for government agricultural assistance.
