By George Emuron
BUKEDEA
A total of eight Emyooga SACCO groups have disappeared in Bukedea district after receiving seed capital of thirty million shillings each.
In the year 2020, about 1,104 Emyooga associations benefited from the funds however 8 SACCO groups have since disappeared.
Among the eight disappeared SACCO groups three are from Bukedea County and five from Kachumbala County.
In Bukedea County are the performing artists and restaurant owners whereas for Kachumbala county are persons with disabilities, taxi operators, veterans, youth and the performing artists.
Both of their accounts are dormant and stuck with the people’s savings since they have not been audited.
This was disclosedon Tuesday, 20th, May 2025 by Mr. Peter Okwakol the Bukedea District Commercial Officer during the joint annual general meeting held at St. Mathew Anglican church in Bukedea Town Council.
According to Mr. Okwakol, the named SACCO members were only active in 2020 before receiving money but afterwards none is available.
“Sometimes I can try to call the SACCO chairpersons of the four SACCO groups, there contacts are off, sometimes say they are far, now the entire SACCO’s have collapsed and disappeared”, said Mr. Okwakol.
Mr. Okwakol also added that for every SACCO to live must have active chairperson and members since most of the documentation and paper work is required and must be led by the SACCO chairperson, secretary and treasurer.
“The biggest challenge SACCO’s are facing in Bukedea is reluctance of their chairpersons”, Okwakol said.
He also noted that much as the government is trying its best in uplifting the livelihood of people in the community, mindset change stands a big factor.
“This Emyooga program is a revolving fund whereby you borrow and pay 8% annually but still people are not repaying back the money”, added Okwakol.
Mr. Ronald Otion, the Micro Finance Support Centre Auditor Soroti Branch told this publication that most of the SACCO’s are facing a challenge in SACCO paper documentation.
He said that at the time for audit, the majority of the SACCO’s were lacking proper paperwork for instance, books of cheques that show how the monies were spent.
“The aspect of record keeping is paramount in business so when the books are not well prepared, it becomes hard to understand the progress of the SACCO’s”, said Otion.
However, Hajji Arafat Oyo, the Bukedea Assistant RDC who represented RDC William Wilberforce Tukei issued a tough warning to the defaulters urging them to repay their loans.
“The Emyooga program is here to stay, we are going to roll out an operation to arrest those who are running away with the government money”, said ARDC Oyo.
Mr. Baker Nambaale, the Micro Finance Support Centre Zonal Branch Manager Soroti Branch says the issues of development are out of politics.
He said the Emyooga money is people’s personal money which is to be utilized properly.
Mr. Baker added that misusing government donated money is like killing yourself.
He also added that the President directed them to add twenty million shillings to each Sacco yearly.
“We are now going to support those who are active take for the example for boda bodas SACCO to receive motorcycles, for saloons to receive saloon equipment but not again to give people cash money”, said Mr. Nambaale.
He said it is now a new policy aimed at reducing money wastage.
