By Alexander Mackey Okori
The Government through the Micro Finance department under the Ministry of Finance has injected Shs450Mn into nine Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) formed by reformed warriors locally known as “Karachuna”
The fund disbursement was launched by the minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaijja.
The beneficiary SACCOs include; Moroto District Karachuna Peace Champion SACCO, Napak District Karachuna Peace Champion SACCO, Nabilatuk District Karachuna SACCO, Nakapiripirit Karachuna Development SACCO, and Amudat District Karachuna Peace Champion SACCO.
Other are Karenga Karachuna Peace SACCO, Ngarwanta Ka-Ekisil Kaabong SACCO, Kotido Karachuna Peace Champion SACCO and Okelokok Thur SACCO in Abim district.
Dr. Emmanuel Kiiza Aliba, the board chairman Microfinance Support Center said that each SACCO comprising of 30 members will receive Shs50Mln.
He explained that the SACCOs were cleared to benefit after they secured certificates of registration and bylaws from the registrar of cooperatives.
According to Dr. Aliba, the financial boost is a significant step towards achieving the government’s goal of increasing access to financial services for all citizens.
“This is aimed at to promoting financial inclusion and economic growth by providing affordable credit to the beneficiaries, said Dr. Aliba.
He noted that since 2023, Microfinance Support Center has been supporting organized SACCOs with startup capital to purposely bridge financial inclusion gap in rural areas.
Dr. Aliba, advised the beneficiaries to ensure use the money properly, saying it’s a revolving fund.
Gabriel Longoli Riamaluk, a member of Ngarwanta Ka-Ekisil Kaabong SACCO, was grateful to the government for its commitment to transform the lives of the Karachuna.
“The lives of the Karachuna are changing, compared to when they were in the bush. We are able to educate our children and we have stopped the issue of cattle rustling” said Longoli.
However, he asked government to increase the funding and help them with tractors for commercial agriculture.
Another beneficiary from Nakapelimoru in Kotido district Joseph Nakwang Tata, encouraged the Karachuna to use the money to engage income generating activities like business and agriculture so as to support their families.
He further advised them to desist from cattle rustling in order to attain peace and development in Karamoja.
Charles Ichogor, the Kotido Resident District Commissioner, said that the boost affirms government’s commitment to empower the reformed warriors who voluntarily handed over their guns to the government.
He urged the beneficiaries to embrace other government programs such as PDM, Emyooga, Grow Project among others aimed at eradicating poverty.
The minister for Financial Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaijja applauded the Karachuna for accepting to denounce cattle rustling and voluntarily hand over illegal guns to government.
He condemned cattle rustling and call on the Karamoja women to advise their husbands still involved in it to desist from it, and instead engage income general activities such as farming and business.
The minister warned the Karachuna against using the money to buy luxury items like smart phones, Banjajs and marrying more wives but instead use it to improve their livelihoods.
He also urged them to learn saving from their businesses, saying that many people are still poor due unplanned expenditures in unproductive ventures.
