Hoima deputy RDC arrest 12 women over Museveni loan

The women, from Kitoba Subcounty, reportedly said they could not payback money they had been given by President Museveni in appreciation of voting for him in the last elections.

Hoima Deputy Resident District Commissioner Michael Kyakashari has ordered arrest of 12 women for alleged default in paying back entrepreneurship programme loan.

The women, from Kitoba Subcounty, reportedly said they could not payback money they had been given by President Museveni in appreciation of voting for him in the last elections.

The 12 women, from the groups of Kiburwa Tukolehamu, Kitoba Rice Producers and Kibaire Farmers, took a total of Shs50m from the Uganda Women Entrepreneur Programme (UWEP).

The Nile Post has established that Kiburwa Tukolehamu Group were given Shs9 million but have only paid Shs2 million since 2018.

Kitoba Rice Producers received Shs6 million and have only paid Shs2 million, also since 2018.

While following up on why the groups were not paying the funds, the Hoima senior development officer Joyce Kabatalya was shocked out of her wits to learn that most of the defaulters were not ready to pay back what they call a token from President Museveni as appreciation for voting NRM.

"We have been lenient since 2018, now today they are saying they can't pay back the money that was given to them by President Museveni as token," Kabatalya said.

"Since when did this money become a token? It was clear they were supposed to pay back so that their colleagues can borrow and boost their livelihoods."

He cautioned beneficiaries of government's development programmes such as UWEP , Emyooga and Parish Development Model against taking things for granted.

"It's clear the money was to be repaid and that stands," Kyakashari said.

"The delay, yes, but we are now acting, failure to pay we arrest you and you pay back while at police."

The 12 women were detained at Hoima Police Station with the RDC saying they will only let them out after paying or signing commitment of paying back on specific time period.