Tooro Kingdom has applauded the government’s Emyooga program for significantly transforming the lives of its people, with beneficiaries now thriving in various enterprises ranging from agriculture to value addition.
This recognition came during an exhibition organized by the Microfinance Support Centre at the kingdom’s headquarters in Mucwa, Fort Portal–Kabarole, where Emyooga beneficiaries from across the region showcased their products and shared testimonies of improved livelihoods.
Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, who represented King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV , praised the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) for its consistent partnership and life-changing interventions.
“I’m very pleased to be here today delegated by His Majesty the King on an occasion where we have the Microfinance Support Center recipients of the Emyooga funds exhibiting their products,” Rwomiire said.
“From the testimonies we've had, we’ve noticed that people have actually gained a lot through the Emyooga and the Sacco programs.”
He also highlighted real-life stories of resilience, including that of a woman with disability who used Emyooga capital to run a piggery project that enabled her to raise her grandchildren.
“Some elderly lady… she’s a disabled woman but the Emyooga supported her and now she has pawns, she has piglets, and that shows the impact of these programs,” Rwomiire noted.
He further urged MSC to support the Kingdom’s ongoing development initiatives, emphasizing the need for irrigation systems and solar power for their model incubation centers.
“These centers that we are building require irrigation. I’m requesting that as you're thinking through your grants, you help us with irrigation systems as well as solar because having hatcheries without solar is not sustainable,” he appealed.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of UNBS certification, saying many high-quality products exhibited remain locked out of bigger markets due to lack of certification.
“If we want to go to the supermarkets and international markets, we need certification. I’m requesting that we sit together and formulate a way to ensure that this happens.”
Boaz Tuhumure, the MSC Zonal Manager, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to empowering communities through affordable financing and capacity-building.
“Microfinance Support Center is mandated to deliver affordable finance to communities to enable them to increase their production and household income,” he said.
Tuhumure revealed that MSC has been in partnership with the Tooro Kingdom since 2021, supporting King Oyo Model Farms and funding various agricultural and enterprise activities.
“Our support to the kingdom is close to shs71 billion. We have supported over 210,830 individual beneficiaries including women, youths, and PWDs,” he stated.
He added that MSC had provided tractors, trucks, and water systems to boost agricultural productivity in the Kingdom.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Harriet Nyakake Abwooli, applauded MSC and the Emyooga program for the inclusive approach that has significantly empowered women.
“I’m happy to know that the program is inclusive especially when I see very many women in the program,” she said.
“With such programs like Emyooga, GBV reduces as everyone is busy doing something money-generating. Remember God loves those who work.”
Angelica Kaija, a 70-year-old member of the Mwenge South Constituency PWD SACCO, said the Emyooga program has been a true lifeline for persons with disabilities.
She explained that the seed capital they received enabled them to start income-generating activities that have significantly improved their livelihoods.
Kaija shared that she retired from midwifery after losing her leg to a snake bite, a situation that left her struggling. However, when Emyooga was introduced, she found an opportunity to rebuild her life through piggery, which now supports her family.
“Emyooga came as a savior for us, especially we PWDs. After losing my leg, I had no stable income, but the seed capital helped me start piggery. From this project, I have been able to pay school fees for my grandson. It has truly changed my life.”
The event featured a wide display of products from beneficiaries, including handcrafts, locally processed wines, boda bodas acquired through group savings, various processed food items, and several products—some already certified by UNBS and others still undergoing the certification process.
Prime Minister pledged to work closely with UNBS and MSC to ensure more enterprises secure certification—unlocking national and international markets.
The day’s activities began with a procession from Fort Portal City to the kingdom headquarters, symbolizing unity and celebration of economic progress driven by the Emyooga initiative.