Alebtong, Uganda | As Uganda marks 81 years of President Yoweri Museveni’s life, communities in Alebtong District have received significant financial support under his Emyooga programme, a government initiative designed to strengthen parish-based associations and promote household income generation.
According to Mathias Lutwama, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Alebtong, various Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) have so far accessed funding ranging from 50 million to 100 million shillings, depending on performance and impact.
Seventeen SACCOs in Ajuri and Moroto constituencies have already received 50 million shillings per group.
These include; Ajuri Women Entrepreneurs, Moroto Fishermen, Ajuri Welders, Moroto Market Vendors, Ajuri Boda Boda Riders, Moroto Salon Operators, Moroto Persons with Disabilities, Ajuri Carpenters, Ajuri Market Vendors, Moroto Restaurant Owners, Ajuri Fishermen, Moroto Carpenters, Moroto Journalists, Ajuri Youth Leaders, Ajuri Persons with Disabilities, Ajuri Women Entrepreneurs (second allocation), Moroto Veterans and Widows.
Two SACCOs composed of local leaders have benefited at a higher level, each receiving 70 million shillings: Moroto and Ajuri Local Leaders.
The Moroto Women Entrepreneurs SACCO, which has been ranked the best-performing group in the entire Lango subregion, received 100 million shillings, making it the single largest beneficiary in the district.
Lutwama commended the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament – Denis Hamson Obua (Ajuri Constituency) amd Samuel Okwir Odwee (Moroto Constituency) for their role in mobilising and organising communities around the programme.
He stressed that their coordination has been instrumental in ensuring that parish-based associations are functional and responsive to government support.
The district has now set its focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of newly formed parish-based associations eager to join the Emyooga programme.
Lutwama said this would ensure sustainability and expand opportunities for more households to benefit.
The Emyooga initiative, introduced under the NRM manifesto, targets specialised enterprise groups such as welders, carpenters, market vendors, youth leaders, and persons with disabilities.
It aims to tackle unemployment, increase household incomes, and encourage a culture of saving and investment.