At least 30 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Adjumani District have been commissioned, each receiving Shs 3.5 million as a revolving fund aimed at improving the financial wellbeing and resilience of adolescent boys and girls aged 15 to 24.
The groups—21 from host communities and nine from refugee settlements—each consist of 30 registered members.
The revolving funds are expected to support health-related human rights, enhance financial capacities and strengthen livelihood initiatives among the beneficiaries.
Alongside the funding, all recipients are undergoing four days of financial literacy training to improve their ability to manage savings, loans and income-generating activities.
The funds are to be rotated among members at low interest rates, allowing the seed capital to grow and ensuring long-term group sustainability.
Speaking during the commissioning, Adjumani District Principal Chief Administrative Officer, Edema Richard Driciri, said the intervention comes at a crucial moment for both host and refugee communities.
“This support comes timely to nationals who require loans at reduced interest rates to boost their enterprises,” he said.
“Our refugee communities are grappling with acute aid cuts from donors, and I urge the beneficiaries to use this money responsibly so that the seed capital can multiply.”
Right to Play Uganda Manager, Brenda Aber, said a total of Shs 105 million had been distributed across the district to mentorship groups that had already demonstrated strong saving and borrowing discipline.
“These groups have been saving and lending among themselves, and this boost will help them grow,” she noted, explaining that teenage boys undergo four months of mentorship, while teenage girls receive six months with a focus on sexual health rights, menstrual hygiene and financial literacy.
She added that the initiative was made possible with support from Global Affairs Canada under the SHARE project.
A representative from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Community Services Department, Brenda Atim, assured stakeholders of continued collaboration and support to ensure the fund’s sustainability.
“We will work closely with both the host and refugee communities to ensure sustainability of this revolving fund,” she said.
Right to Play Uganda Project Officer, Uthman Bagonza, highlighted the wider progress made since 2022.
“We have equipped 104 community mentorship groups across three cohorts, covering both refugees and host communities,” Bagonza said.
“This revolving fund will empower young people in the 30 selected groups to achieve financial strength so they can meet basic health needs and make informed SHARE decisions.”
One of the beneficiaries, Alice Ecia, expressed hope about the opportunity ahead.
“I plan to borrow a loan to start poultry farming because the market is ready,” she said.
The revolving fund is expected to stimulate youth-led economic activities and reduce financial vulnerabilities across Adjumani District.