In July 2020, government through Microfinance Support Centre injected Shs5b into the Uganda Teachers’ Co-operative Savings and Credit Union as part of its commitment to better their welfare, especially during this pandemic.
The Uganda Teachers’ Co-operative Savings and Credit Union is an umbrella of several teachers’ saving groups across the country.
According to the authorities, the programme had been launched countrywide although the pilot areas were Arua, Wakiso, Soroti, Jinja, Mbarara and Kasese districts but teachers countrywide qualified to get loans.
While addressing the nation, President Museveni said Shs22b package will be given to teachers and asked for Shs30b to help struggling private schools stay in business.
Several private schools as well as teachers have endured months of nail-biting due to closure as part of the measures to contain the spread of covid-19.
However, private school teachers are set for a longer wait before they can receive the Shs22 billion that was given to them by the President.
This after allegations of mismanagement of teachers’ funds were made against the administration of Micro Finance support centre where the Shs22 billion was deposited.
The spokesperson Criminal Investigations Department, Charles Twiine confirmed the development.
“This money has been withdrawn in cash by Asiimwe Joan with her daughter Birungi Julia and what is funny is that Birungi Julia works with Micro Finance Support Centre,” he said.
The people in this transaction include Asiimwe Joan, her daughter Birungi Julia, and Pamela Ainomugisha who are all under police detention.
“We have arrested them to first show us which teachers have they given this money,” Twiine noted.
Equally, the CID is holding the Executive Director of Micro Finance Support Centre John Peter Mujuni as well as the finance director John Mwebembezi on allegations of theft of Shs10bn which was withdrawn and paid to Uganda Teachers’ Co-operative Savings and Credit Union in different installments.