The minister of state for microfinance, Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune believes the Emyooga program will succeed unlike other poverty eradication schemes that have been launched in the past.
Emyooga is a presidential initiative on wealth and job creation.
The programme was conceived to scale up direct support to communities through establishment of various specialized funds/Myooga-specific Apex SACCOs at constituency level but with operations/branches at parish level. This approach is consistent with the parish model adopted in the National Development Plan 3.
“The fact that I am engaging leaders before the money is disbursed is a clear sign that this program will succeed,” Kasolo said in Rubaga on Monday where he launched the program.
Earlier in the day, he also met with Makindye division leaders to do the same.
Emyooga targets Ugandans from 18 clusters including Boda boda riders, taxi drivers, restaurants, welders, market vendors, women entrepreneurs, youth leaders, people with disabilities, journalists, performing artists, veterans, fishermen, and elected leaders who form saccos and each gets shs30 million as seed capital.
Uganda has had a number of poverty alleviation schemes, the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Naads) was created in 2001 to improve livelihoods of people in rural areas by increasing agricultural productivity . It was, however, faulted for only targeting individuals instead of groups.
In February 2007, President Museveni launched the Prosperity For All programme dubbed ‘Bona Bagagawale’ and he said government would through it establish Savings and Credit Organisations in at least 1,000 sub-counties.
Later, Operation Wealth Creation was created with the objective to improve people’s household incomes.
In 2013, government through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and the Youth Livelihood Funds which by mid last year generated about 100,000 jobs.
All these despite, creating hope, did not live up to the promise and Kasolo says Emyooga has clear indications of success.
He called on unity among leaders if the program is to be a big success.
As part of the arrangement, shs30m has been earmarked for each SACCO as seed capital while SACCOs involving leaders will get shs50m.
850 SACCOs are set to be formed in Kampala alone as government seeks to end poverty by creating jobs and wealth.
Direct membership to the Constituency Apex SACCOs shall be by the respective parish groups/associations which, in turn, shall draw voluntary membership from individuals in the community engaged in a related economic activity (e.g. Welders, Tailors) or belonging to a specific special interest group (e.g. PWDs, Veterans), as applicable.