KATERERA, RUBIRIZI – Rubirizi District authorities have started a crackdown on beneficiaries who have defaulted on Emyoga funds, warning that those who misused government money will be arrested and prosecuted.
Hon. Boaz Atwijukire, the Member of Parliament for Katerera County, has urged Emyoga SACCO beneficiaries to repay the funds within one month, saying the government provided the money to help communities fight poverty, support families and improve household incomes.
Atwijukire said the money was given to beneficiaries as a revolving fund to support businesses and should be repaid so that other members of the community can also benefit.
He made the remarks during a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitisation meeting involving district officials, security agencies, the Resident District Commissioner’s office and local leaders at Katerera Town Council headquarters.
The meeting aimed at sensitising Emyoga beneficiaries about the purpose of the programme and encouraging a change in mindset towards government funds.
Atwijukire said leaders and security agencies had taken a tougher stance against the alleged mismanagement and misuse of Emyoga and Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
Mr. Musimenta Benon, the Principal Commercial Officer of Rubirizi District, revealed that 729 parish-based SACCOs involving 11,455 individuals in the district have so far received Shs1.36 billion from the government.
However, he said only Shs26 million has so far been recovered.
Musimenta added that Katerera Emyoga SACCO alone received more than Shs720 million from the government, with the funds intended to help members start and expand small businesses.
The Emyoga programme was introduced in 2019, when the government provided saving groups with seed capital of Shs30 million each, with the aim of alleviating poverty and improving household incomes.
Musimenta told residents that Emyoga funds are not a gift from President Museveni but a revolving fund intended to fight poverty.
He urged beneficiaries to use the money for the intended purpose and repay it so that others can also access the funds.
He warned that beneficiaries who deliberately fail to repay or misuse the funds risk arrest and prosecution, saying the government’s goal is to ensure that residents fight poverty and achieve economic prosperity.
The Resident District Commissioner for Rubirizi, Kinene Ahamedi, said authorities had received reports that some beneficiaries had misused Emyoga funds.
He alleged that some beneficiaries used the money to buy waragi, while others did not put it to any productive use. He also claimed that some beneficiaries used the funds to marry wives instead of investing them in businesses.
Kinene warned against the diversion and mismanagement of Emyoga funds and directed local leaders to work closely with security agencies to arrest and charge those found to have misused the money.
He said the authorities would ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries and are used for the purpose for which they were provided.
The crackdown follows a decision by the district security committee to intensify monitoring and sensitisation of Emyoga beneficiaries while pursuing those who default or misuse the funds.
Meanwhile, Agaba Obed Byakureka, the Rubirizi District LCV Chairperson, said local leaders had raised concerns over alleged fraud and extortion involving government programmes.
He urged beneficiaries to keep proper books of accounts and repay the money on time to maintain the revolving nature of the fund.
Agaba said local leaders had started visiting beneficiaries to train them in business skills and called for transparency and accountability in the management of Emyoga funds.
He said the government remained committed to supporting Emyoga SACCOs, but warned beneficiaries that they must use the money properly and repay it as required or risk arrest and prosecution.
