Summary:

• In Bukedi Region, women are overcoming traditional roles as homemakers through the Emyooga initiative, becoming successful entrepreneurs with access to financial resources and training, transforming their families’ economic prospects.

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BUKEDI, (Examiner) – Women in Bukedi Region are overturning centuries-old norms, emerging as financial pillars in their households, thanks to the Emyooga initiative. Traditionally confined to homemaking roles, these women are now thriving entrepreneurs, breaking barriers in sectors long dominated by men.

Emyooga, a government-backed program, has been instrumental in this transformation. Through cooperative savings and credit societies (saccos), women are receiving crucial financial assistance, training, and resources directly impacting their economic empowerment.

Grace Dwo, treasurer of the West Budaama East welders Sacco in Tororo District, exemplifies this change. Formerly without a business due to lack of capital, Grace now runs a successful welding enterprise, previously male-dominated. “Emyooga changed everything,” she remarked, highlighting how she now supports her family and invests in her children’s education.

Amanda Josephine Omala, another beneficiary, praised the program for enabling her to expand her fish business, now funding her child’s university education. She attributes her newfound financial independence to Minister Haruna Kasolo and the Microfinance Support Centre’s training and support.

Minister Kasolo underscored the program’s broader impact on poverty eradication, urging more women to join saccos for low-interest capital. “We don’t have to be poor,” he emphasized, rallying for widespread economic engagement.

Joseph Tukamushaba, the Microfinance Support Centre district representative while addressing the people of west Budaama North East and West Budaama North, noted that their focus is going to change from just the institution(sacco) to individual enterprises.

“Emyooga as a program is not just about the shs30 million. It is about us and how we can use local resources to changes our own lives and this has to happen from here. In our journey of transformation, we have talked about capital, and capital is not only about money, capital also need our brains. “

Haruna Kasolo, the Minister of State for Microfinance emphasized the importance of utilizing this opportunity to eradicate poverty from households through the creation of income-generating businesses.

The minister noted that these programs were designed to provide Ugandans with affordable capital to facilitate the growth of their businesses.

“For me I want to see every Ugandan engage in economic activity. We don’t have to be poor. Why should you be poor when others are not? You don’t have to be poor.”

He warned loan defaulters and ordered the RDC to handle them and make sure they pay back the money.