Government has said that all defaulters of presidential initiative on wealth and job creation program, commonly known as “Emyooga” will be arrested.
Emyooga program was launched by President Museveni in August 2019 as part of Government’s continuous strategies to transform 68% of Ugandan homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production.
The initiative targets 18 specialized enterprises namely; Boda Bodas, Women Entrepreneurs, Carpenters, Salon Operators, Taxi Operators, Restaurant Owners, Welders, Market Vendors, Youth Leaders, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Produce Dealers, Mechanics, Tailors, Journalists, Performing Artists, Veterans, Fishermen and Elected Leaders.
The program is managed by the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC), a government owned company under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The Emyooga program was very popular at the peak of the presidential election campaign season in 2020 as President Museveni disbursed funds to the beneficiary categories.
Most of the beneficiaries saw the money as President Museveni’s campaign request for re-election, and never bothered to refund the money after use.
Today Thursday February 3, 2022, the Microfinance Support Centre Deputy Executive Director, Hellen Masika said whoever received the money, and defied paying back, will be arrested.
“For those who were targeting elections; that it was money for eating, it is not money for eating. We are fighting people who are defaulting this money, and we are going to arrest them. Police is Government, Microfinance Support Centre is Government, RDC is Government; where will you hide? We are going to arrest those people who are defaulting Emyooga funds. This program has to run, this program has to be sustainable, and we are not going to sit for this program to die in our hands. We are going to first punish those people who want to kill it, before it is totally gone,” she said.
Each category beneficiary was getting 30 million shillings as seed capital.
Masika said Government has provided more funds, but added that they are going to do assessment of beneficiaries, and those found to have invested the money wisely, will be given an addition of 20 million shillings.
“But if you are in that category of it was money for elections, benefits from government will close [for you]. Those ones who are still struggling, but performing well, we are going to add them 20 million. Those that will graduate, will be given loans at 8% [interest] per year,” she said.
Although no money is supposed to be paid by any beneficiary to receive the Emyooga funds, many recipients have reported Government officials asking for bribes for a beneficiary to receive the funds.
The matter was confirmed by Members of Parliament who were last year sent to their constituencies by Deputy Speaker, Anita Among to assess the impact of Emyooga program on the beneficiaries.
Asked for a response on the matter, Masika also confirmed it, and vowed to hunt down the perpetuators.
“The President is leading a family, but of the children, we have children who are thieves and we have children who are transparent. It is true that we have heard those individuals participating in those dirty activities. They have asked for bribes and really they have stressed the communities. In fact, the President calls them pigs, I will also mention it, they are pigs. Those DCOs, the moment we get to know about you, we don’t relax; we deal with the police, we deal with the RDC (Resident District Commissioner) and we see you imprisoned. The moment you are in prison, your bail doesn’t come easily,” she charged.
“You are stressing the community; people want to come out of poverty. You are earning a Government salary, and you are the same person cheating money for the poor. We are not tolerating DCOs who are doing that. Actually, they are pigs,” she added.
