Residents of Kikyenkye Sub-county in Ibanda District have been urged to move away from forming associations that only mobilise funeral contributions and instead establish productive savings and investment groups capable of transforming livelihoods and accelerating community development.
The call was made on Monday by Charles Byooma Ahimbisibwe, the Speaker of Kikyenkye Sub-county, during the 12th anniversary celebrations of Kajumbura United Group held at Kajumbura Trading Centre.
Ahimbisibwe commended the group for demonstrating how unity, savings and investment can improve household incomes and create lasting economic opportunities.
“Our communities should stop focusing on groups that only collect money for funerals or operate without a saving culture. We need associations that mobilise people to save, invest and create wealth because that is the foundation of sustainable development,” Ahimbisibwe said.
He challenged members to go beyond savings and invest in income-generating projects that can strengthen the group’s financial base and create employment opportunities within the community.
“The next step should be investing in projects that generate income. By diversifying your sources of revenue, you will build a stronger community and secure a better future for your families,” he added.
The celebrations also highlighted the growth of Kajumbura United Group, which has evolved from a small village association into one of the area’s successful community savings groups.
According to the group’s chairperson, Christopher Kakuru , the association was founded 12 years ago with a vision of encouraging members to save together and support one another financially.
“When we started, we had very little, but we remained committed to saving consistently. Today, our members have accumulated over Shs101 million, proving that discipline and unity can transform people’s lives,” Kakuru said.
He noted that the group’s success has inspired more residents to embrace savings culture instead of relying solely on informal financial support during emergencies.
Several members credited the association for improving their living standards through access to affordable loans and disciplined saving.
“This group has changed our lives. Many members have paid school fees, improved their homes and started businesses through the loans and savings we have built together,” a member said.
Local leaders praised the initiative for promoting financial discipline and fostering community development in Kajumbura.
Vally Kahigiriza , LC I Chairperson of Kajumbura I Cell, described the association as a model worthy of replication across the district.
“Kajumbura United Group has shown that when people work together and save consistently, communities can develop from within. We encourage other villages to emulate this example,” he said.
Similarly, Gastone Mubangizi , LC I Chairperson of Kajumbura II Cell, said the group’s achievements have contributed significantly to improved livelihoods in the area.
“The impact of this association is visible in our community. Families have become more financially stable, and that has translated into better living conditions and increased economic activity,” he noted.
As the group marked 12 years of existence, leaders emphasized that community-driven savings and investment initiatives remain key to poverty reduction, financial inclusion and sustainable rural development in Ibanda District.
