Buliisa tells the people to take money out of pots... to the banks

District leaders in Buliisa are concerned over the continued reluctance by locals to embrace banking institutions, saying many run to banks to withdraw monies they are compensated by oil companies and keep them in pots.

Led by Longino Bahebwa, the resident district commissioner, has directed financial institutions to intensify the mindset change campaign to sensitise the people to understand why it is important to save in banks.

While most financial institutions have opened up branches in Buliisa like Stanbic Bank, Equity Bank, and Centenary Bank in what they call extending services to the population, the number of people using financial institutions is still very low.

“Here you can find someone selling their cattle or fish with about Shs30m, but ask them to keep it in the bank, they can never do that on grounds that banks cheat," RDC Bahebwa said during the launch of Centenary Bank Buliisa branch.

"Imagine that primitivity but remember keeping money at home has associated effects like thieves can attack you, but also the house can burn and you end losing everything.”

He acknowledged that changing mindset is not easy but said with more awareness, the people will join the global village.

However, Samuel Kugonza, the Nyapeya LC 1 chairman, said while they have tried to change people's attitude towards keeping money in the bank it is still a challenge.

“Most people get paid through the bank especially those that were compensated but also some locals working in these oil companies, immediately money is deposited, they run withdraw and go keep it at home, that’s the life they live,” Kugonza said.

James Katamba, the Centenary Bank regional manager for Western Uganda, advised people that using banks has a lot of advantages, especially when one embraces savings, noting that having money at home is more tempting to splash.