State House steps up Emyooga fund recovery as Bugisu SACCOs struggle

What the report says

State House has stepped up efforts to recover Emyooga funds in Bugisu as officials raise concern over weak loan repayment, alleged fraud and the belief among some beneficiaries that the money was a political handout. According to Nile Post, the recovery drive involves an Emyooga monitoring and coordination team meeting local leaders from Namisindwa, Mbale, Manafwa, Bududa, Sironko, Bulambuli and Mbale City to review performance and improve repayment.

The programme, which was created to provide affordable capital through SACCOs, depends on beneficiaries repaying loans so the money can revolve to other members. State House officials said poor recovery is undermining that model. Rita Namuwenge, the national coordinator, and John Turinawe, who heads operations in the monitoring unit, said some people still describe the funds as a gift from President Yoweri Museveni, a misunderstanding officials believe was reinforced by the programme’s launch period ahead of the 2021 elections.

District figures shared at the meeting showed uneven repayment. Namisindwa, Sironko, Bulambuli and Bududa each received billions of shillings, but recovery remains far below disbursement. Officials also cited alleged impersonation of State House personnel and possible misuse by some SACCO leaders and technical staff. In Bududa, Turinawe alleged that some funds were drawn through improper channels involving implementing agency staff and a bank.

The article said the team plans to move district by district to recover money, investigate suspected fraud and train newer local leaders. Officials also noted that some SACCOs have used the funds productively, but others face problems with savings discipline, membership rules, registration and marketing.