Hellen Petronilla Masika, Acting Executive Director Micro Finance Support Centre-MSC addressing the officials
Rwenzururu Kingdom is set to receive separate funding in the implementation of the Emyooga program, according reports.
An online news site reports that the cultural institution is to receive separate funding under the same program to specifically cater to veterans and leaders as defined within the Kingdom structures.
It adds that the development emerged after a meeting between the Acting Executive Director Micro Finance Support Centre-MSC, Hellen Petronilla Masika (in photo) and kingdom officials.
Masika says that five groups from each of the two categories will receive Shillings 560M allocated to the five constituencies in the district. Masika says the same consideration stretches out to Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts where the kingdom extends its influence.
Emyooga is a presidential initiative on wealth and job creation.
It 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 reports add that Ritah Namuwenge, the Chairperson Emyooga coordinators in State House, said that the government intends to work with every institution, which shares a similar agenda of transforming society.
Enock Muhindo, the former speaker of the cultural institution welcomed the gesture from the government as a step towards consolidating the relations between government and OBR.
He acknowledged that the kingdom has been affected by challenges such as floods and it’s important that it’s steered towards developed.
John Kule Muranga, a former premier in the kingdom sais the inclusion of the kingdom in the Emyooga program is a huge relief to the institution that has been struggling to find resources to support its current and former leaders.
During the meeting, members agreed to present 10 groups for consideration within two weeks. Kasese District is expected to receive Emyooga funds this week, according to Masika.
EMYOOGA DETAILS
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.
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.
