Emyooga cash helps women owned businesses flourish in Kabarole
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In Kabarole District, Emyooga program is receiving praise from women whose businesses have grown by leaps and bounds since joining .
Through their saccos, the women got Emyooga funds but also trainings from Microfinance Support Centre(MSC), to start and expand small businesses, leading to financial independence.
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Kyakaigo Restaurant Owner's Omwooga Association, under Burahya Restaurant Omwoga Sacco, stands out as a remarkable success story, demonstrating how the program is helping women break the poverty line.
Joan Bahomugisha, who serves as the publicity head for Burahya Restaurant Omwooga Sacco and Chairperson Kyakaigo Restaurant Owner's Omwooga Association, which specializes in wine production, liquid soap making, and Jepa Product Care(a herbal jelly) said that with the assistance of Emyooga funds, they were able to engage in profitable production activities.
Bahomugisha stated that their ability to continue production is due to the funds received from Emyooga, adding that they have been able to buy a plot of land and are currently constructing a building on it.
"We received the funds in installments. Initially, we received shs3 million, followed by an additional shs 5 million after a month, totaling shs8 million, which we used for one month and subsequently repaid. Later, we were granted another shs10 million, which we also repaid in full. We then received another shs10 million, which we are currently in the process of repaying. Part of these funds has been used to purchase our plot of land, and we are now constructing a building on it," Bahomugisha said.
She said that before receiving Emyooga funds, they lacked sufficient capital to initiate production.
However, upon receiving the funds, they were able to commence wine production, which has proven more profitable for them compared to savings and credit alone.
"Before receiving Emyooga funds, our associations did not operate any business. We relied on minimal funds for borrowing. However, after receiving Emyooga funds, we ventured into wine and hibiscus juice production, which proved highly profitable. This success encouraged us to launch Jepa Products, which has further increased our profits. We've learned that investing in production yields greater returns than relying solely on savings and credit."
She praised this initiative for significantly transforming their business and improving their lives, making them prosperous.
"Before Emyooga, I did not own any assets. Now, I have purchased a plot under my name and started raising goats with the help of Emyooga funds. Women in this area are all engaged in various productive activities, thanks to the impact of Emyooga money."
Moreen Karungi , the general secretary of Burahya Restaurant Owner's Omwooga Sacco mentioned that she joined Emyooga after completing Senior Four and the funds she received have significantly enhanced her restaurant business.
"Out of the shs30 million that our Sacco received, our association received shs5 million, which we distributed among ourselves. As I own a hotel, I used the money I received to purchase utensils and make other improvements to enhance my hotel. As a young lady, my hotel has now reached a standard that generates sufficient profits for me, which I reinvest in other businesses."
She noted that many women can now support themselves and send their children to school due to financial independence, which she attributes to the funding from the Emyooga initiative.
Judith Kanyiginya, a member of Burahya Restaurant Owner's Omwooga Sacco expressed gratitude to President Museveni and MSC for including women in the Emyooga program, highlighting it's transformative impact on fostering economic self-reliance.
She cited the role of Emyooga in stabilising families in their region.
Since its launch in 2019, Emyooga program has played a crucial role in Uganda's socioeconomic transformation as part of the government's broader job and wealth creation program.
