A section of members from saccos belonging to the Emyooga program in Kampala have celebrated President Museveni’s 77th birthday at a function held at Pope Paul Memorial hotel in Ndeeba.
According to records, Museveni was born on September 15, 1944 in Ntungamo and on Wednesday he turned 77.
However, on Wednesday, a group of youths who are beneficiaries of the Emyooga presidential initiative on wealth and job creation organized what they termed as a birthday party for Museveni at which they cut a cake to celebrate his birth.
“I joined Emyooga program that has enabled me purchase to boda bodas as my other business. I don’t have to beg for money any more, thank to this program,” said comedian Robert Kawuki.
According to Harriet Nalule, a food vendor from St.Balikuddembe market, through the program, she has been able to get more capital to expand her business.
“I could not borrow money from banks since their interest rates are high but also require security. With Emyooga, I can borrow any amount from my sacco and at a lower interest rate. We thank President Museveni for coming up with this initiative that has ensured we increase our wealth,”Nalule said.
According to Kamuntu Majambere, one of the organisers of the function, the birthday was meant to applaud Museveni for the sacrifice he has made in the past 30 years or so.
“There is no way we can repay him for all that the country has achieved. We decided to organize this event to celebrate the president’s 77 years of age and ask God for more years for him,”Majambere said.
He however urged members to utilize the money from Emyooga for their development but not wasting it.
Majambere insisted that Emyooga money is not a handout from government but rather seed capital to help people raise capital to create jobs and get out of poverty.
The Emyooga initiative that started last year targets Ugandans especially in the informal sector who come together in form of Saccos under 18 clusters including Boda boda riders, taxi drivers, restaurants, welders, market vendors, women entrepreneurs, youth leaders, people with disabilities, journalists, performing artists, veterans, fishermen, and elected leaders.
Each of the Saccos receives shs30 million as seed capital, save for the private teachers and leaders that each receives shs60 million and 50 million respectively.
The program is implemented by the Microfinance Support Centre.
Museveni responds
Speaking at Kololo independence grounds where tax body URA was celebrating 30 years of existence, President Museveni applauded Ugandans who wished him a happy 77th birthday.
“Those who have wished me a happy birth day, thank you,” Museveni said.
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