Fish Farmers In Oyam Decry Counterfeit Feeds

OYAM – Livestock and grain farmers in Oyam district are looking at fish farming as a safety net against the increasingly erratic weather patterns, which have resulted in crop failure and animal deaths due to drought.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fish and related products contribute to food security through consumption, jobs creation, income and trade.

However, the farmers have complained that the feeds on the market are sub-standard and lead to stunted growth, affecting the profitability of the business.

The dealers have decried an increase in counterfeit feeds on the market, calling upon the government to intervene in the production of feeds.

In the past months, dealers in agro-inputs, especially fish feeds flocked markets in Oyam district, opening shops at various trading centers.

https://thecooperator.news/grape-farmers-demand-for-a-fgractory/

Solomon Odwee, a one of the farmers from Ogang Apur parish in Acaba Sub County lost nearly Shs 4 million after purchasing counterfeit feeds which killed almost all the fish in the pond.

“It is very difficult to differentiate the genuine feeds from the fake ones because most of the companies supplying the feeds bear the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) logo, this requires the intervention of extension officers in educating the farmers.” he said.

Joseph Alyai, a fish farmer in Iceme sub-county who doubles as the chairperson Oyam North Fishery Group blames the fish farmers for buying their feeds from dealers who have no idea about fish farming.

“I am currently buying feeds from Tororo; the problem is that many fish farmers prefer cheaper feeds which are sold by dealers who have no idea about fishing. I want to advise farmers to form groups in order to be able to purchase quality feeds,” he said in an interview.

Alex Enon, the Assistant District Commercial Officer says that his office has received several complaints from farmers about the quality of feeds. He blames the farmers for buying feeds from unlicensed retailers who sell counterfeit products.

Fish feeds contain soya bean meal, silverfish, rice bran, fish meal, earthworms, spirulina, and vitamins and minerals. These are mixed accordingly in certain percentages with protein foodstuffs highest at 30%.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

The post Fish Farmers In Oyam Decry Counterfeit Feeds appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Fish Farmers In Oyam Decry Counterfeit Feeds

OYAM – Livestock and grain farmers in Oyam district are looking at fish farming as a safety net against the increasingly erratic weather patterns, which have resulted in crop failure and animal deaths due to drought.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fish and related products contribute to food security through consumption, jobs creation, income and trade.

However, the farmers have complained that the feeds on the market are sub-standard and lead to stunted growth, affecting the profitability of the business.

The dealers have decried an increase in counterfeit feeds on the market, calling upon the government to intervene in the production of feeds.

In the past months, dealers in agro-inputs, especially fish feeds flocked markets in Oyam district, opening shops at various trading centers.

https://thecooperator.news/grape-farmers-demand-for-a-fgractory/

Solomon Odwee, a one of the farmers from Ogang Apur parish in Acaba Sub County lost nearly Shs 4 million after purchasing counterfeit feeds which killed almost all the fish in the pond.

“It is very difficult to differentiate the genuine feeds from the fake ones because most of the companies supplying the feeds bear the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) logo, this requires the intervention of extension officers in educating the farmers.” he said.

Joseph Alyai, a fish farmer in Iceme sub-county who doubles as the chairperson Oyam North Fishery Group blames the fish farmers for buying their feeds from dealers who have no idea about fish farming.

“I am currently buying feeds from Tororo; the problem is that many fish farmers prefer cheaper feeds which are sold by dealers who have no idea about fishing. I want to advise farmers to form groups in order to be able to purchase quality feeds,” he said in an interview.

Alex Enon, the Assistant District Commercial Officer says that his office has received several complaints from farmers about the quality of feeds. He blames the farmers for buying feeds from unlicensed retailers who sell counterfeit products.

Fish feeds contain soya bean meal, silverfish, rice bran, fish meal, earthworms, spirulina, and vitamins and minerals. These are mixed accordingly in certain percentages with protein foodstuffs highest at 30%.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

The post Fish Farmers In Oyam Decry Counterfeit Feeds appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Ankole Diocese Partners With UCDA To Alleviate Poverty

ANKOLE – Ankole Diocese and Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) have launched a partnership to plant coffee to improve household incomes and transform communities in Western Uganda.

According to Sedrack Muhangi, UCDA’s Regional Coffee Extension Officer, the coffee growing campaign is targeting about 46,000 households in the area.

Muhangi says UCDA has gave out 22,500 Robusta coffee seedlings and 100 kilograms of Arabica coffee seeds to the diocese during the launch of the partnership on July 19th, 2021 at Kinoni Archdeaconry in Rwampara district.

Muhangi says UCDA joined the partnership because they believe the church institution can use its structures to improve both quality and quantity coffee production within the region.

“The church has well laid structures and commands a big following so we believe it can be a reliable partner to improve coffee production in terms of quality and quantity in this region,” Muhangi noted, before adding that they will give in more coffee depending on demand and uptake.

He said from 22,500 seedlings, after maturity, the diocese can earn about Shs 27 million in a season as each coffee plant can yield up to three kilograms ofKase or Fair Average Quality (FAQ) coffee a season, which translates into 67,500kgs.

Ankole diocese Bishop Rt Rev Sheldon Mwesigwa said supporting farming is part of the diocese’s community and household transformation programme.

He added that religious leaders owe a big debt if they only concentrate on spiritual growth and neglect other basics to transform communities in totality like improving household incomes.

“We will be answerable to our God if we let our people continue suffering in poverty. You can’t claim spiritual growth of a church when your people are languishing in poverty because we serve to grow our communities spiritually and in economic growth, “Bishop Mwesigwa noted.

He added that the church should not be a burden to christians over numerous demands to run the ministry, adding this is the reason the diocese is emphasizing in having its own income generating projects.

Bishop Mwesigwa said they have numerous acres of land spread at their churches and all these would be used as demonstration farms, and seed distribution centers of different agricultural produce to farmers.

Emmy Kateera Turyabagyenyi, Rwampara Resident District Commissioner (RDC) who officiated the launch pointed that the partnership is a great achievement not only in improving household incomes but also spiritual growth.

“This is a well thought intervention because some churches are becoming a burden. Your christians are poor but you keep demanding them thanksgiving, tithes and other church contributions every Sunday and a believer who finds has no money has no alternative but shuns the church because of shame and stigma” Turyabagyenyi explains.

Simon Kwikiriza, the head of household and transformation department Ankole diocese says they are targeting to have their own coffee processing factory in the next 10 years with the view of exporting the diocese coffee.

Kwikiriza said the coffee seedlings will cover 50 acres out of the project target of 400 acres on the church land.

Ankole diocese has a total population of 230,000 christians, 488 churches and 74 parishes.

https://thecooperator.news/uganda-doubles-increase-in-coffee-exports/

UCDA is working with different religious institutions across the country to promote coffee growing in line with the National Development Plan (NDP III) target of mindset change to promote development.

Away from Mbarara, UCDA also partnered with Hoima Catholic Diocese to promote coffee growing in Hoima district.

Dr. Emmanuel Lyamulemye, the Managing Director Uganda Coffee Development Authority stressed the need for the leadership of the diocese to mobilize families to increase incomes through coffee planting.

Lyamulemye further stressed that by 2050, there shall be a shortfall of 50 million bags thus a focus on Africans to meet that gap.

He asked locals in Hoima district to look at coffee as a business and a farmer’s bank through value addition both at production and market stages.

In conclusion, Lyamulemye revealed that the church is a centre of community with a role of educating people on business that can lead them to economic enhancement and development.

The meeting culminated into the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UCDA and Hoima diocese to facilitate coffee planting that can generate income to support the diocese’s short-term goals.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Ankole Diocese Partners With UCDA To Alleviate Poverty

ANKOLE – Ankole Diocese and Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) have launched a partnership to plant coffee to improve household incomes and transform communities in Western Uganda.

According to Sedrack Muhangi, UCDA’s Regional Coffee Extension Officer, the coffee growing campaign is targeting about 46,000 households in the area.

Muhangi says UCDA has gave out 22,500 Robusta coffee seedlings and 100 kilograms of Arabica coffee seeds to the diocese during the launch of the partnership on July 19th, 2021 at Kinoni Archdeaconry in Rwampara district.

Muhangi says UCDA joined the partnership because they believe the church institution can use its structures to improve both quality and quantity coffee production within the region.

“The church has well laid structures and commands a big following so we believe it can be a reliable partner to improve coffee production in terms of quality and quantity in this region,” Muhangi noted, before adding that they will give in more coffee depending on demand and uptake.

He said from 22,500 seedlings, after maturity, the diocese can earn about Shs 27 million in a season as each coffee plant can yield up to three kilograms ofKase or Fair Average Quality (FAQ) coffee a season, which translates into 67,500kgs.

Ankole diocese Bishop Rt Rev Sheldon Mwesigwa said supporting farming is part of the diocese’s community and household transformation programme.

He added that religious leaders owe a big debt if they only concentrate on spiritual growth and neglect other basics to transform communities in totality like improving household incomes.

“We will be answerable to our God if we let our people continue suffering in poverty. You can’t claim spiritual growth of a church when your people are languishing in poverty because we serve to grow our communities spiritually and in economic growth, “Bishop Mwesigwa noted.

He added that the church should not be a burden to christians over numerous demands to run the ministry, adding this is the reason the diocese is emphasizing in having its own income generating projects.

Bishop Mwesigwa said they have numerous acres of land spread at their churches and all these would be used as demonstration farms, and seed distribution centers of different agricultural produce to farmers.

Emmy Kateera Turyabagyenyi, Rwampara Resident District Commissioner (RDC) who officiated the launch pointed that the partnership is a great achievement not only in improving household incomes but also spiritual growth.

“This is a well thought intervention because some churches are becoming a burden. Your christians are poor but you keep demanding them thanksgiving, tithes and other church contributions every Sunday and a believer who finds has no money has no alternative but shuns the church because of shame and stigma” Turyabagyenyi explains.

Simon Kwikiriza, the head of household and transformation department Ankole diocese says they are targeting to have their own coffee processing factory in the next 10 years with the view of exporting the diocese coffee.

Kwikiriza said the coffee seedlings will cover 50 acres out of the project target of 400 acres on the church land.

Ankole diocese has a total population of 230,000 christians, 488 churches and 74 parishes.

https://thecooperator.news/uganda-doubles-increase-in-coffee-exports/

UCDA is working with different religious institutions across the country to promote coffee growing in line with the National Development Plan (NDP III) target of mindset change to promote development.

Away from Mbarara, UCDA also partnered with Hoima Catholic Diocese to promote coffee growing in Hoima district.

Dr. Emmanuel Lyamulemye, the Managing Director Uganda Coffee Development Authority stressed the need for the leadership of the diocese to mobilize families to increase incomes through coffee planting.

Lyamulemye further stressed that by 2050, there shall be a shortfall of 50 million bags thus a focus on Africans to meet that gap.

He asked locals in Hoima district to look at coffee as a business and a farmer’s bank through value addition both at production and market stages.

In conclusion, Lyamulemye revealed that the church is a centre of community with a role of educating people on business that can lead them to economic enhancement and development.

The meeting culminated into the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UCDA and Hoima diocese to facilitate coffee planting that can generate income to support the diocese’s short-term goals.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Hoima Drivers Miss Out On Covid-19 Relief Fund

HOIMA – Drivers operating from Hoima Taxi Park and Kinuubi Park in Hoima city have threatened to stage a peaceful demonstration protesting the alleged city authorities’ failure to include their names on the list of beneficiaries of Covid-19 relief fund.

The Government through the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD) allocated Shs 100, 000 to each household with various categories of vulnerabilities in cities and municipalities across the country.

Such vulnerable groups included drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers commonly known as boda-boda riders, salon operators and others whose work was either totally stopped or restricted to a certain level to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

However, although some people have received the money in Hoima city, many including drivers and boda-boda riders still complain that they are yet to see any single penny wired to their cell phones as per the government promise.

Peter Byaruhanga and Musa Kalanzi said although their names were initially registered and included on the list of beneficiaries, they were surprised after few of the colleagues received, leaving the majority out.

They claim that the money has been wired to phones of the non-vulnerable instead of the targeted groups.

They claimed that out of the 600 drivers who were registered only 15 received it wondering the criterion that was used in selecting the beneficiaries that led to their ultimate conclusion.

It is against this background that they threaten to stage a peaceful demonstration to attract the attention of the city authorities so they can act accordingly.

The drivers said that city leaders need to explain why they were left out, adding that they are currently struggling to feed their families since most of them have no other source of livelihood.

Muzamil Ahebwa, a driver and publicity secretary for Kinuubi Drivers’ Association said that more than 20 drivers at his park missed out on the money. He expressed concern that most of the people who received the money were not part of vulnerable groups.

“Am also a victim, I do not know what happened to our names, you can imagine few of our colleagues whom we registered with on the same form received the money and I and many of my colleague drivers did not get any coin, I suspect our names were excluded by the people from the center.”

He demanded that, city authorities intervene and communicate to the Prime Minister about their concern so that they can also be considered.

https://thecooperator.news/theft-of-government-hoes-rocks-soroti-city/

Imran Tumwesige, the Secretary Hoima Boda-boda Cyclists Association said that many of the boda-boda cyclists missed on the funds. He noted several boda-boda cyclists registered for relief funds but few have received it.

“We are suspecting some people to have received the money in our names, leaving the actual beneficiaries to miss out,” he said.

Samuel Kisembo, the Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC) said that they were directed to register 9,460 households but they received more than 18,000 applications from the city dwellers.

“Hoima city through our technical team, we did our part and good numbers of people have received this money and we estimate to be standing at 50%, of course the challenge is that the demand was very high, there were over 18,000 applicants to benefit but we were allocated only 9,460. So as of now we have not yet gotten any report from the MGLSD of names that were not able to make it,” he said.

He added that they are optimistic that by the end of this week all the people who were registered will have received their money.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

The post Hoima Drivers Miss Out On Covid-19 Relief Fund appeared first on The Cooperator News.

Hoima Drivers Miss Out On Covid-19 Relief Fund

HOIMA – Drivers operating from Hoima Taxi Park and Kinuubi Park in Hoima city have threatened to stage a peaceful demonstration protesting the alleged city authorities’ failure to include their names on the list of beneficiaries of Covid-19 relief fund.

The Government through the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD) allocated Shs 100, 000 to each household with various categories of vulnerabilities in cities and municipalities across the country.

Such vulnerable groups included drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers commonly known as boda-boda riders, salon operators and others whose work was either totally stopped or restricted to a certain level to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

However, although some people have received the money in Hoima city, many including drivers and boda-boda riders still complain that they are yet to see any single penny wired to their cell phones as per the government promise.

Peter Byaruhanga and Musa Kalanzi said although their names were initially registered and included on the list of beneficiaries, they were surprised after few of the colleagues received, leaving the majority out.

They claim that the money has been wired to phones of the non-vulnerable instead of the targeted groups.

They claimed that out of the 600 drivers who were registered only 15 received it wondering the criterion that was used in selecting the beneficiaries that led to their ultimate conclusion.

It is against this background that they threaten to stage a peaceful demonstration to attract the attention of the city authorities so they can act accordingly.

The drivers said that city leaders need to explain why they were left out, adding that they are currently struggling to feed their families since most of them have no other source of livelihood.

Muzamil Ahebwa, a driver and publicity secretary for Kinuubi Drivers’ Association said that more than 20 drivers at his park missed out on the money. He expressed concern that most of the people who received the money were not part of vulnerable groups.

“Am also a victim, I do not know what happened to our names, you can imagine few of our colleagues whom we registered with on the same form received the money and I and many of my colleague drivers did not get any coin, I suspect our names were excluded by the people from the center.”

He demanded that, city authorities intervene and communicate to the Prime Minister about their concern so that they can also be considered.

https://thecooperator.news/theft-of-government-hoes-rocks-soroti-city/

Imran Tumwesige, the Secretary Hoima Boda-boda Cyclists Association said that many of the boda-boda cyclists missed on the funds. He noted several boda-boda cyclists registered for relief funds but few have received it.

“We are suspecting some people to have received the money in our names, leaving the actual beneficiaries to miss out,” he said.

Samuel Kisembo, the Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC) said that they were directed to register 9,460 households but they received more than 18,000 applications from the city dwellers.

“Hoima city through our technical team, we did our part and good numbers of people have received this money and we estimate to be standing at 50%, of course the challenge is that the demand was very high, there were over 18,000 applicants to benefit but we were allocated only 9,460. So as of now we have not yet gotten any report from the MGLSD of names that were not able to make it,” he said.

He added that they are optimistic that by the end of this week all the people who were registered will have received their money.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Nebbi Farmers Count Loses As Dry Spell Bites

NEBBI– Farmers in Nebbi district have started counting loses in this first planting season due to the dry spell that has stunted the growth of crops.

They said the affected crops are: maize, beans and groundnuts which have dried up forcing farmers to abandon their fields and others to uproot the withered crops as they wait for rain.

One of the farmers in Oweko parish, Ndhew Sub County in Nebbi district Owachi Ronald said, he planted his maize in the first season hoping to reap in this lockdown but failed to yield due to the dry spell that affected his production.

He adds that in this lockdown, people are committed to farming, but they are being frustrated by the current harsh dry spell which has affected the productivity of their crops.

“I invested heavily all my resources and hoped to reap from farming in this lockdown but my efforts seem not to give me any profits as planned due to the dry spell which has hindered our efforts,” Owachi said.

The LC III Ndhew Sub County Hon Okwai Bosco says, farmers should expect hunger next year since, the first season was wasted due to dry spell which affected the yields of their crops.

Okwai added that farmers should keep close watch on the changing weather pattern by preparing their fields to plant short term crops like sorghum, beans and maize to meet the challenges being faced by farmers.

Okwai said farmers are unable to buy themselves seeds now with the current hardship in this lockdown period which needs government interventions because the livelihood of farmers are affected.

“We should prepare ourselves for hunger next year since our crops are heavily damaged with the current dry spell which have revenged on our farmers,” Okwai said.

https://thecooperator.news/nwoya-farmers-cuts-losses-drops-cassava-crop/

However, Piwa Joyce, the Nebbi District Production Officer advised farmers to replant crops damaged by the dry spell to mitigate the prospects of hunger.

She added that at the moment it’s quite hard for the district to respond to the challenges affecting farmers in this dry spell which has hit the district because it largely depends on Operational Wealth Creation (OWC) to supply seeds to farmers which didn’t happen this year.

“The district doesn’t have capacity to supply farmers with seeds but only gives seeds to some few selected farmers in the sub counties for demonstration plots in the district,” Piwa said.

Urombi Emmanuel, the Chairperson Nebbi district has attributed the need for an irrigation scheme for farmers in order to boost their farming but as head of the district on political side, their hands are tied because of the limited resource envelopes to equip farmers with irrigation scheme.

“Our farmers need to calculate weather patterns before they inject a lot of money in agriculture to avoid the unforeseen weather challenges which are more likely to result into serious droughts and also destabilization of livelihoods of farmers at the grass root level”, Urombi said.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Drainage Channel Construction at Pece Stream Stalls.

GULU CITY – The construction of 1.5 kilometers drainage channel at Pece Stream in Gulu City has stalled as donor gives an ultimatum to the construction company.

This project funded by Fichtner, a German international organization at the cost of Shs 600 million was meant to widen the stream to avert the outburst of water and floods in the city.

However, a 2017 report by the Ministry of Water and Environment mapped Gulu City among the areas in Northern Uganda that are potentially prone to floods.

Following the development, the former Gulu Municipal Council then recommended widening the water banks at Pece Stream and secured the funding from Fichtner two years ago.

Destiny Construction, a local construction company was awarded a 6 months contract to implement the project since November last year. The timeline for completion of the work has since elapsed by two months.

It is now 8 months since the construction site was commissioned and handed over to the contractor but they have failed to initiate the project.

Towler Robert, the team leader at Fichtner disclosed in a recent interview with Uganda Radio Network that an ultimatum of two weeks was issued to the construction company to complete its work.

Despite the ultimatum, the company has failed to explain the delay in getting the work completed.

https://thecooperator.news/heavy-rains-and-hailstorms-batter-amolatar/
He further explained that the company has breached its contractual obligation to the project and that Fichtner, has no choice but to terminate the contract or withdraw support from the Gulu City.

In his response, Okwonga Alfred, Gulu City Council Mayor noted that Council has received complaints from the donor over the slow progress of work on the stream.

He revealed that a recent meeting by the Executive Committee of Council (ECC) has recommended that another construction company be contracted to complete the project.

“This is a project we can’t lose and we have asked the donor to review the contract before another company takes over the project” Okwonga disclosed.

When contacted, Gudoi Kenneth, the contractor said the project was wrongly designed even before the project commenced.

According to the physical planning of the project, the location which is below Unifat Primary School and next to former Bardege Division offices is a gazzeted ecological wetland park for a recreational Centre to be constructed along the belt and other public offices.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO Fights Over Emyooga Cash

NEBBI – Fights ensued amongst Nebbi boda-boda riders under their association, Nebbi Municipality Boda-Boda SACCO Limited, over illegal withdrawal of Emyooga cash by the executive members.

Emyooga is one of the government’s initiative that was launched by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in August 2019 as part of its strategy to economically transform 68% of Ugandan homesteads from subsistence farming to market-oriented production to eradicate poverty.

According to the government, 18 enterprise categories were identified as having not adequately benefited from the previous wealth creation initiatives, and this included: Journalists, Boda-Boda, women entrepreneurs, carpenters, salon operators, and taxi operators, restaurant owners and welders.

Others are market vendors, youth leaders, Persons with Disabilities [PWDs], produce dealers, mechanics, tailors, performing artistes, army veterans and fishermen but, the money has brought in a lot of chaos among Nebbi Boda-Boda riders because they don’t trust their executive members .

The members revealed that, their executive members illegally withdrew Shs 20 million from the SACCO account and purchased three numberless Bajaj motorcycles from DR-Congo using the Emyooga cash which later sparked off a misunderstanding amongst the members.

https://thecooperator.news/pwds-on-emyooga-we-are-left-behind/

According to Parakoch Francis, a member of Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO Limited; June 10th, 2021, the executive members of the association allegedly used their powers to withdraw Shs 20 million out of the Shs 30 million that was disbursed on the SACCO Centenary Bank account.

“The members were not consulted on the purchase of the motorcycles that’s why there is misunderstanding amongst the Boda-Boda riders,” Parakoch said.

Jakony Cosmas, another group member says three numberless motorcycles were purchased by the executive members at a cost of Shs 3.5 million each totaling to Shs 10.5 million without the consent of the members.

Onegiu Peter, the Chairman Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO admits that, the idea to purchase three Bajaj motorcycles from DR-Congo was to minimize the cost, since in Uganda the numbered motorcycles Bajaj, are sold at Shs 5 million while in DR-Congo it goes for Shs 3.5 million.

He adds that they bought motorcycles to raise weekly money for the SACCO, which will be deposited on the Boda-Boda account.

However, Onyango Okol Emma, the Nebbi Deputy Resident District Commissioner said it’s a good business idea to buy motorcycles for the Boda-Boda Savings and Credit Cooperative [SACCO], but it was wrong that members were not consulted and called for audit queries of the Commercial Officer who allowed the money to be withdrawn without the guideline of Emyooga.

“We are investigating the motive of Nebbi Municipality Commercial Officer who allowed only the eight executive members of Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO to withdraw the money and they don’t have their savings,” Onyango said.

Wakwayo Felix, the Commercial Officer Nebbi Municipality, advised members of the Boda-Boda SACCO to use the cooperative and Emyooga principles to help manage their SACCO.

He revealed that so far, four SACCO groups have accessed their money while others are in the pipeline pending verification from Micro Finance Support Centre (MFSC).

“The municipal has 18 SACCOs approved and ready to receive the funds but at the moment only four SACCOs have received their money and using the money,” Wakwayo said.

He further called for good team spirit amongst group members to manage the SACCO.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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Roadside Business Loans Spur Trade In Nebbi

NEBBI – Loans may keep some people sad and trapped in a cycle of debt, especially when they outpace one’s savings.

But Agnes Akumu, 45, a roadside clay pot dealer, is all smiles, years after taking up a ‘roadside business loan.’

“My life is transformed ever since I started accessing the roadside business loan from the SACCO. This has inspired me to do other side businesses, which have increased my capital base from Shs 50,000 to Shs 800,000 with a low loan interest rate of 8%,” Akumu, a resident of Akworo Village in Nyaravur trading center, said in a recent interview.

https://thecooperator.news/nebbi-municipality-battles-to-recover-women-entrepreneurship-funds/

She’s largely a clay pot dealer and grinds stone along Nyaravur-Pakwach Road. She’s one of the many excited beneficiaries of the small roadside business loans.

Though her business is accident prone given its proximity to the Nyaravur –Pakwach Road, Akumu says the success outweighs the risks. She says she has been able to pay school fees for her children and support her family all the way.

She said she has also been able to buy two acres of land using profits from her business.

Clay pots, she said, are in demand largely for decoration and for cooling water. She said they are a very lucrative business.

Roadside businesses are small scale enterprises plied along the road targeting travelers who buy small items as they move from place to place.

Roadside business loans were introduced by Nyaravur Farmers’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, three years back.

Akumu said roadside business traders have also applied for Emyooga funds but are yet to get any firm nod of approval.

But the roadside business loans have improved the livelihoods of many and some are now applying for bigger loans.

According to business experts, roadside business loans are seed capital, given to business people doing roadside businesses.

Richard Okumu, the manager Nyaravur SACCO, said at least 70% of borrowers of roadside loans are women who have embraced the initiative and are responding positively.

In the past, he said, loans were given to very rich business men who owned very big shops but that has since changed.

He said the maximum loan given to roadside business persons is Shs 300,000 since roadside traders deal in small items.

David Muswa, the commercial officer, said women are very focused business people and are committed to paying back borrowed funds.

He urged financial institutions to carry out financial literacy trainings for well-focused women to help lift their businesses.

“As commercial officers at the district, we feel much privileged to see the roadside business women being uplifted and their livelihoods improved.” Muswa said.

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news

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