State Minister for Microfinance and Enterprise Development, Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, has announced plans to collaborate with the Microfinance Support Center to establish markets nationwide aimed at supporting Emyooga beneficiaries.
These markets will provide platforms for entrepreneurs to sell their goods and increase their income.
Speaking at an exhibition held at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara, where Emyooga beneficiaries showcased products developed through the program, Minister Kasolo highlighted the initiative’s potential to boost economic growth.
He noted that the markets would help streamline the transportation of goods and connect SACCO members engaged in manufacturing, agriculture, and small-scale enterprises directly with customers.
Minister said that “These markets are intended to help local producers earn fair prices for their products by eliminating middlemen. It’s a step towards empowering small-scale entrepreneurs and enhancing the visibility of their products.”
The Minister also urged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly to ensure sustainable growth. He emphasized that the proper utilization of resources would enable individuals to escape poverty, achieve financial stability, and improve their quality of life.
The exhibition provided a platform for Emyooga beneficiaries to share their success stories. Products on display included chalk, grapes, and other items made possible through Emyooga funds. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the program but called for increased funding and improved access to certification services to expand their market reach.
The initiative, which has already transformed the lives of many Ugandans, aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and support the government’s vision of poverty eradication.
During the exhibition, many beneficiaries of the Emyooga initiative shared how the program has transformed their livelihoods, enabling them to start businesses and improve their incomes. However, they also appealed to the government to increase funding and address challenges to ensure the program’s sustainability and greater impact.
Conceptah Natukunda, the vice chairperson of the Mbarara City Northern Veterans Widow and Children’s Emyooga SACCO, revealed that the funds enabled her to venture into piggery and rentals, which now provide a steady income for her family. A midwife by profession, Natukunda urged her fellow comrades to focus on retirement plans and engage in productive work that can create jobs for others.
“We need the government to increase funding for Emyooga because the current funds are not enough to meet the growing demand. We also need to mobilize more people to join SACCOs for better access to resources,” she said.
Another exhibitor, Immaculate Tumuhimbise, highlighted how her SACCO used Emyooga funds to start producing grapes and school chalk, contributing to local development. Tumuhimbise, however, called on the government to simplify the process of registering with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to ease access to broader markets for their products.
“The funds have helped us grow, but the bureaucratic hurdles in getting certification slow down our progress. We need support to scale up and compete in larger markets,” she noted.
Organized by the Microfinance Support Center at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara, the exhibition provided a platform for beneficiaries to showcase the tangible outcomes of the Emyooga program while emphasizing the need for more support from the government to enhance their operations and reach.
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