Cracking Down on Corruption: State House Anti-Corruption Unit Takes Action Against Ghost Emyooga SACCOs
By The Public Lens
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) has vowed to take drastic measures against ghost Emyooga Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) and corrupt leaders who have mismanaged funds .
This commitment was made during a high-level meeting held on November 15, 2024, at State Lodge, Nakasero, where senior government officials gathered to address reports of irregularities in the disbursement and utilization of Emyooga funds.
Moses Byaruhanga, Senior Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs, pledged thorough investigations into the alleged existence of ghost SACCOs and mismanagement of funds.
“We have intelligence reports indicating critical shortcomings in the management of Emyooga funds,” Byaruhanga revealed. “These include personal use of funds, inclusion of ineligible beneficiaries, high rates of non-operational SACCOs, external interference, and lack of accountability.”
Byaruhanga directed the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) to work closely with local leaders and security officials to assess the utilization of funds and verify the existence of SACCOs.
He also emphasized that SHACU would lead efforts to recover misappropriated funds and enforce compliance with eligibility criteria.
“We will implement transparent fund allocation systems, strengthen monitoring, and intensify field supervision to ensure these funds benefit intended communities,” Byaruhanga emphasized.
Local leaders expressed their frustrations, highlighting widespread corruption and mismanagement. Godfrey Luwaga, the NRM Chairperson for Kawempe Division, revealed that most SACCOs in his area are ghost entities.
“Only 10 SACCOs are active. Members claim they were given the funds as tokens of appreciation, while SACCO leaders have disappeared with the money,” Luwaga said.
Similarly, Nicholas Arinaitwe, the NRM Chairperson for Nakawa Division, cited lack of transparency.
“Some SACCOs have vanished, and the challenge of funds mismanagement persists,” he noted. Abdallah Kitatta, the NRM Chairperson for Rubaga Division, accused some government officials of conniving with SACCO leaders to embezzle funds. “This corruption must stop. These officials should be arrested,” Kitatta demanded.
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner for Makindye Division, Caroline Nanshemeza, emphasized the need for education and training.
“People need to be sensitised on the proper use of these funds to ensure sustainability,” she said.
Hajjat Fatuma Katongole, Assistant RCC for Kampala City, highlighted the importance of accountability mechanisms.
“It is crucial to enforce traceability in fund distribution and strengthen SACCO resilience to achieve the program’s objectives,” she advised.
Byaruhanga reassured that the government remains committed to empowering local communities through financial support. “However, we must ensure these funds serve their intended purpose and create tangible impact.”
Emyooga Presidential Initiative: Aiming to Boost Livelihoods
Launched in 2019, the Emyooga Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation aims to uplift communities to market-oriented production.
The program seeks to create jobs and improve livelihoods through financial support for local enterprises.
Despite its ambitious goals, the initiative faces significant challenges such as ghost SACCOs, inadequate accountability, and limited member awareness that undermine its potential impact.
Disbursed Funds per Division
– Central Division: 234 SACCOs allocated sh7.04 billion, with 47 SACCOs receiving additional capital amounting to sh940m.
– Makindye Division: sh2.17 billion disbursed to 66 SACCOs, with 17 receiving additional funding.
– Nakawa Division: sh1.72 billion allocated to 56 SACCOs, but most SACCOs are reportedly ghost entities.
– Kawempe Division: sh2.98 billion allocated to 103 SACCOs, with only 10 SACCOs active.
– Rubaga Division: sh3.11 billion distributed to 207 SACCOs, but several SACCOs are non-functional.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit’s efforts to crack down on ghost Emyooga SACCOs and corrupt leaders are a step towards ensuring that the initiative achieves its intended purpose .
