By Mathew Longok
Jie County local leaders SACCO is struggling to recover Shs 50 million loan advanced to its members under Emyooga Program, a presidential initiative designed to transform 68 percent of homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production, enhance job creation, and improve household incomes.
Statistics from the office of the district commercial officer indicate that the SACCO received Shs 50 million from government through Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) in the financial year 2021/2022.
The money was disbursed to 19 associations for members to borrow as a revolving fund and payback after one year.
Among the associations that received the money are Nakoreto parish local Leaders association, Potongor leaders association, Lookorok parish leaders association, Kalongilemuge parish leaders association, and Kanalobae parish leaders association.
However, the recovery rate remains very low as some beneficiaries have reportedly refused to fulfill their loan obligation.
Repayment report indicates that out of Shs 50 million was disbursed to the associations, only Shs 21, 318,000 has been recovered so far.
It’s for this reason the Judith Natuk, one of the SACCO leaders, is calling on the beneficiaries to pay back the loan so that other members can benefit,
Lochoto Mathew Akeronsky, General Secretary of Jie leaders SACCO, encouraged leaders from the various associations to ensure that they recover the money from the defaulters in order to benefit from future government programs.
Francis Obita, the Kotido District Commercial Officer clarified that the money was seed capital not token of appreciation from government as some beneficiaries claim and it must be paid.
He warned that those who will fail to payback the money risk being arrested for sabotaging government program aimed at alleviating people out of poverty.
