On Tuesday, the grand finale of the Emyooga launch in Kampala ended with a call by the state minister for microfinance for strong leadership if poverty is to be eradicated.
Emyooga is a presidential initiative on wealth and job creation.
The Kampala launch started at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), last Wednesday, moved to Nakawa Division before moving to Makindye and Rubaga Divisions on Monday.
Kawempe division and Kampala marked the grand finale of the launch on Tuesday and at all events, Minister Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune emphasized the need for strong leadership in Kampala if poverty is to be eradicated.
“A leader is very important for societal development. The role of a leader is to uplift his people from one stage to another higher,” Kasolo said urging people to make the distinction between leaders and politicians.
He faulted politicians for keeping masses in squalor saying they are responsible for Uganda’s poverty.
“Make good choices about who leads you because we need leaders who care for their people not those who politick,” Kasolo added.
He also made reference to some opposition leaders who were missing at the different events saying they didnt care for the constituents development.
The events were attended by RCCs, LCs, mayors, councilors and aspiring leaders.
DETAILS OF EMYOOGA
Emyooga was launched by H.E the President of Uganda in August 2019 as part of Government’s continuous strategies to transform 68% of Ugandan homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production.
It is financed by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development through the Department of Microfinance.
The Microfinance Support Centre Ltd (MSC) is responsible for the planning, management, budgeting, reporting and accountability of all funds disbursed for the program. This includes funds disbursements to the groups and training of members and leaders.
The Emyooga programme was conceived to scale up direct support to communities through establishment of various specialized funds/Myooga-specific Apex SACCOs at constituency level but with operations/branches at parish level. This approach is consistent with the parish model adopted in the National Development Plan 3.
It targets Ugandans from 18 clusters including; Boda boda riders, taxi drivers, restaurants, welders, market vendors, women entrepreneurs, youth leaders, people with disabilities, journalists, performing artists, veterans, fishermen, and elected leaders who form saccos and each gets shs30 million as seed capital.
As part of the arrangement, shs30m has been earmarked for each SACCO as seed capital while SACCOs involving leaders will get shs50m.
850 SACCOs are set to be formed in Kampala alone as government seeks to end poverty by creating jobs and wealth.
Kasolo and the Microfinance Support Centre team have been traversing the country, explaining to Ugandans the program and its benefits.
He revealed that shs40bn has been earmarked for Kampala and Wakiso districts.
Direct membership to the Constituency Apex SACCOs shall be by the respective parish groups/associations which, in turn, shall draw voluntary membership from individuals in the community engaged in a related economic activity (e.g. Welders, Tailors) or belonging to a specific special interest group (e.g. PWDs, Veterans), as applicable.
The Finance Ministry provided Ushs. 30 billion in the FY 2019/20 to MSC towards implementation of the EMYOOGA programme and Ushs. 210 billion has been provided for the current financial year. This Quarter, Ushs. 140 billion has already been disbursed to MSC for programme implementation.
District Task Forces headed by the Resident District Commissioners (RDCS) and comprised of District Commercial Officers (DCOs), District Community Development Officers (DCDOs), Local Council V Chairpersons (LCV) and District NRM Chairpersons (DNRMC), are charged with mobilizing communities to participate in the program.
