By Kefa Buyindila
KAPCHORWA
Masters of Ceremonies (MCs) and NRM media panelists from the Elgon region, which covers Bugisu and Sebei, have applauded President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his efforts to empower them.
The initiative, championed by the Special Presidential Assistant for Press and Mobilization and Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Hajji Faruk Kirunda, aims to support MCs and panelists across the 18 sub-regions of Uganda. Each sub-region is set to receive UGX 100 million, to be disbursed as soft loans with an annual interest rate of 6%.
During a regional retreat held in Sebei on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025, to discuss strategies for timely disbursement of the funds, Sakkaja Martin, the Deputy RDC of Kapchorwa and regional coordinator for the project, clarified that the funds are loans, not donations. He emphasized that beneficiaries will access them strictly for development purposes after signing clear loan agreements. Training sessions have already been conducted for association leaders to ensure proper loan management and accountability.
Mr. Silas Chemos Mark, Chairperson of the Sebei MCs and Panelists Association, confirmed that the funds have already been deposited into the association’s account. He added that the Bugisu and Sebei teams have been merged under one umbrella for the Elgon region, with representatives from Bugisu present at the meeting.
Emma Bwayo, the focal person for Bugisu MCs and Panelists, urged members who were frustrated by the lengthy bureaucratic process to understand that it was designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and traceability. He further encouraged members to put the funds to productive use and to actively mobilize support for the NRM Presidential Flag bearer, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, ahead of his upcoming campaign visit to the region.
