Nicholas A
Jolly Mashaija, the Chairperson of the Rukungiri District Women Council 5, has urged women to engage in income-generating projects as a means to combat poverty and contribute to family development. Her remarks came during the 10th anniversary celebration of Kakana Financial Services, a money-lending institution, held at Nyarushanje Model Primary School playground in Nyarushanje Sub-County, Rukungiri District.
Jolly criticized the outdated belief that home development is solely the responsibility of men, stating that such thinking reflects backwardness. She emphasized that the Ugandan government has implemented various programs to fight poverty, such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and the Uganda Women Empowerment Program (UWEP). Jolly stressed that women should not rely entirely on their husbands for financial support.
She commended Kakana Financial Services for its role in supporting the community, noting that many people use loans from the institution for school fees, agriculture, and business, contributing to local development.
According to Bernard Mate, one of the directors, Kakana Financial Services was established in 2014 with the goal of supporting communities in Nyarushanje Sub-County and Rukungiri District. The institution’s positive performance has attracted members from neighboring districts like Ntungamo and Kanungu, bringing the total membership to 2,000. Mate highlighted challenges such as loan defaulters, high government taxes, and multiple borrowers.
As the guest of honor, Rukungiri District Commercial Officer Ms. Calorine Atuhaire expressed concern about illegal money lenders who impose high-interest rates and exploit borrowers. She praised Kakana Financial Services for its compliance with legal regulations, noting that it is fully registered with the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) and operates within the law.
