Over 1,900 members of Emyooga Saccos have taken part in a series of mass Annual General Meetings (AGMs) held across Kassanda District. The exercise aimed at revamping performance among the 18 Emyooga categories and strengthening leadership, improving governance structures, areas MSC says have weakened several Saccos in the district.
The AGMs, conducted in Kassanda South, Bukuya Constituency and Kassanda North, were organized by the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) together with district leaders.
MSC Zonal Manager Boaz Tuhumure, who oversaw the week-long exercise, said leadership remains the most decisive factor in wether a Sacco thrives.
“We are in Kassanda to oversee our Emyooga Saccos holding AGMs because the biggest issue most of the Saccos specifically Kassanda have been having is poor leadership,” Tuhumure said.
“Before we give funds to any cooperative society, it is our mandate to ensure these Saccos are prepared and educated, especially on leadership and governance. It is the biggest killer of our Saccos.”
Tuhumure noted that when MSC carried out community sensitisation, members gained clarity and confidence in the leadership selection process. This, he said, led to an exceptional turnout as delegates actively returned to choose leaders they genuinely trusted.
“Most people had elected leaders earlier but were not sure of them. After our education, members came in big numbers to elect leaders of their choice. The turnout was overwhelming," he explained.
Across the three constituencies, the AGMs attracted 1,900 delegates who elected supervisory committees, vetting committees and reactivated dormant loan committees.
“Some Saccos did not have supervisory committees. Vetting committees were missing, and loans committees were inactive. This exercise has reaffirmed that these committees will now be functional,” he said.
He urged leaders to uphold transparency, noting that only accountable leadership would qualify their Saccos for additional seed capital.
“Leadership is the biggest pillar for sustainability and for Saccos to access additional government funding. Without leadership, government cannot extend extra support," he added.
Kassanda North recorded a surge in first-time Emyooga participants.
“We received very many new members. It shows the message of Emyooga has gone deep into our communities. Community people are now interested in joining the money economy," Tuhumure said.
He explained that previous leaders failed to mobilize communities, but new leadership is expected to reverse this.
At the AGMs, newcomers were taken through Emyooga values by Justine Nabulonge, Projects Advisory Assistant at MSC.
Nabulonge emphasized saving as the backbone of a sustainable Sacco and answered questions from new entrants, who were later integrated into category Saccos of their choice.
Kassanda Deputy RDC Saul Kityo praised the impact of the programme.
“Emyooga has really improved people’s way of living. It has helped reduce crime since most youths are now employed and busy,” he said.
He encouraged members to increase their savings to qualify for additional seed capital.
MSC Communications Manager Tadeo Atuhurira said AGMs are central to building resilient institutions.
“Having an AGM is a very important step for all cooperatives. This is when they learn from each other, strengthen governance and leadership, listen to audited books of accounts and plan together,” he said.
“We have seen Saccos increase savings, create jobs, improve household incomes and join the money economy. These discussions contribute to socio-economic transformation.”
Atuhurira added that MSC’s free capacity-building—before any funds are issued—is key to the sustainability of Saccos.
“Government deems it necessary that people be empowered first. When we train you, your Sacco is strong enough to utilize funds well. That is how resilient institutions are built.”
He noted that exchange learning visits have inspired members to start new projects after learning from model saccos.
Presenting the district status report, Principal Commercial Officer Robert Kasendwa detailed the investment made in Kassanda.
“As Kassanda District, we received Shs 1.68 billion in 2021 when the Emyooga programme began. We created 54 Saccos,” he said.
“Last year, 40 Sacco received an extra Shs 480 million. So cumulatively, we have received Shs 2.16 billion.”
Kasendwa highlighted strong recovery and job creation in Kassanda.
“One Sacco received Shs 50 million and has accumulated it to Shs 180 million. Others with Shs 80–90 million are also coming up.”
However, he asked MSC and the district team to intensify sensitization.
“Many beneficiaries initially thought the money was a presidential donation. But through sensitization, they now know it is seed capital. We need more financial literacy to keep the programme sustainable.”
With restructured committees, newly elected leaders, and hundreds of new members joining, the district now looks set for a stronger push into the money economy, exactly the goal the Emyooga initiative was created to serve.