The Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) has convened a major stakeholders’ engagement in Arua City, attracting participants from over 20 districts across Uganda.
The engagement aimed to strengthen collaboration, address operational challenges, and reinforce the implementation of the Emyooga program a flagship government initiative designed to promote financial inclusion, enterprise development, and poverty alleviation.
Key stakeholders in attendance included Emyooga Sacco leaders from high-performing regions, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Resident City Commissioners (RCCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), Commercial Officers, and NRM District Chairpersons.
The meeting structured around a peer-to-peer learning model, allowed best-performing Sacco leaders to share experiences and strategies with struggling Saccos in the West Nile sub-region.
This aimed to encourage replication of success stories and foster capacity-building among underperforming Saccos.
While addressing stakeholders at Tropical Suites in Arua, Ronald Waiswa, the MSC Arua Zonal Manager, reflected on the progress of the program and emphasized the value of shared learning across regions.
"This engagement is unique because it includes visitors from Emyooga Saccos across various regions. They are here to share their experiences on how they have been improving and running their Saccos better," Waiswa said.
He noted that each Sacco has strengths in different areas and that their visit would help others grow in areas where they are weak.
"Some are good in governance, others in resource mobilization, and others in value addition. At this stage of Emyooga implementation, we are focusing on capitalizing on those doing well to support and handhold those that are struggling," he added.
Highlighting the importance of experience sharing, Waiswa said, "We are promoting peer-to-peer learning by bringing on board successful Saccos from other regions and within our West Nile Sub-Region to share their experiences with stakeholders. If it is about saving mobilization, we are learning how they are doing it to sustain their operations and make the program sustainable."
He also outlined the week's activities.
"Tomorrow, we are going to have district-based interactions with the Emyooga Saccos in specific districts. We shall start with one district in the morning while others will be visiting Maracha District. In the afternoon, we shall engage with Arua City and another district."
Waiswa said the team would focus on practical areas like record keeping and management systems.
"We shall visit some Saccos to see firsthand how they are keeping their records and running their activities. This resonates with our institutional strategy of building strong Saccos through capacity building," he said.
Salim Komakech, the RCC Arua City, applauded MSC for organizing the engagement in Arua, stating it would uplift Sacco performance and enhance economic development in the region.
He said, "I appeal to MSC to plan and take my people from West Nile to other areas where the program is working better. Take this group to Bushenyi; from there you will see our Saccos grow to microfinance levels."
Komakech acknowledged that Emyooga has helped transform mindsets in West Nile. "People used to think government money is for eating, but with the Emyooga program, people borrow, use it, and return it," he added.
John Stephen Okol, the RDC of Abim in Karamoja, noted that the program has significantly contributed to reducing unemployment in his region.
"Karamoja went through a lot of challenges, but because of President Museveni and through his programs, we are focusing on transforming people's lives," he said, adding that over UGX 9.8 billion in seed capital has already transformed lives in Karamoja.
Harriet Nakamya, the RDC of Rwampara, said their visit to West Nile was aimed at improving Sacco performance.
"We are here to help our Emyooga Saccos in West Nile to perform well," she said.
She cited poor leadership selection as a key challenge facing the initiative in West Nile and beyond. Nakamya also raised concerns about defaulters, urging Sacco leaders to work with RDC offices to strengthen loan recovery.
"Stand firm and ensure that all Emyooga defaulters return the money," she emphasized.
Joseph Tukamushaba, the Head of the Emyooga Secretariat at MSC, described the engagement as a first of its kind where best-performing Sacco leaders were brought to struggling ones to offer guidance and mentorship.
"We are going to meet members of the Sacco, visiting them, share experiences Sacco by Sacco, hand-holding, doing technical assistance, and I believe we are going to make the difference in the lives of the people we are going to meet," he said.
Tukamushaba called on Sacco members to use their seed capital effectively and avoid dwelling on past difficulties.
"We've had unique challenges in West Nile, but I believe that collectively, together, we can actually sensitize, engage, such that the message of where we can build a self-reliant society gets into the mind of every person," he added.
He emphasized that the peer-to-peer approach was deliberate and targeted: "This peer-to-peer learning, we have brought people who have something to share."
The engagement served as a platform for leaders to highlight success stories, identify gaps, and propose actionable solutions to improve the program. Beneficiaries interacted directly with policymakers and enforcement agencies, reinforcing transparency and accountability.
Since its launch, the Emyooga program has helped grow local enterprises, create jobs, and improve household incomes. However, challenges such as loan defaults, limited capacity building, and occasional mismanagement persist issues the stakeholders are determined to confront.
The MSC has adopted a new approach to exchange visits. Previously, leaders from struggling Saccos would travel to well-performing Saccos in other regions for benchmarking.
However, this time, the strategy has been reversed best-performing Sacco leaders from various regions have been selected to visit underperforming Emyooga Saccos in a peer-to-peer learning model, aimed at sharing knowledge and best practices in Sacco management.