By KT Reporter
Lawrence Songa Biyika, the Ora County Member of Parliament in Zombo District, is in the final stages of implementing his initiative to support Village Women Saving Groups (VLSAs) within his constituency through his “Songa Community Foundation” (SCF).
In an exclusive interview with our reporter over the weekend, Biyika disclosed that he has registered 1,200 women’s savings groups to benefit from a seed capital of Shillings 400 million. He says the efforts are intended to supplement government initiatives such as Emyooga and the Parish Development Model, which aim to boost household incomes.
Each group is set to receive Shillings 200,000, alongside financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills training provided by the foundation to help the women effectively manage their finances.
“I promised these mothers during the campaign period that I would support them if they formed village saving groups. At first, I provided each group with UGX 100,000, and now I am offering UGX 200,000 to empower their small income-generating activities,” MP Songa explained during his interactions with the groups.
Speaking to several groups over the weekend in Ndara and Gamba parishes in Alangi Sub-county, and Juloka Parish in Warr Town Council, the legislator encouraged the mothers to work together with their husbands to overcome the poverty that still grips the area.
He also used the opportunity to sensitize the community about various government programs, including Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and ongoing road and water infrastructure projects. Across different parishes — such as Ndara, Ambele, Ugusi, Umua, Kigezi, Zeu Lorr Central, Ayaka, and Angol Anyola Lower — numerous Women Saving Groups have already benefited from the funds.
Maureen Giramia, a resident of Anyola Village in Ndara Parish, Bruna Nyakidi from Kampala Village, members of the Marpamungu Women’s Saving Group, and Beatrice Akumu from Gamba Parish told our reporter that the intervention is a game changer in the community.
They said borrowing from their local savings groups is time-saving since they make decisions independently and promote a culture of saving and financial discipline in the community.
Beneficiaries who received support earlier in 2023 and 2024 reported that the funds have boosted their farming activities and small-scale businesses in their local markets.
Jesca Angoya, chairperson of the “Amurupii Village Women Saving Group” in Amurupii Village, Angol Parish, Atiak Sub-county, expressed optimism that the MP’s support would bolster her silverfish and cassava flour business.
Agness Nyakidi, a member of the “Awara Village Women Saving Group” in Angol Parish, Atiak Sub-county, emphasized that MP Songa’s generosity is empowering women and helping lift them out of poverty-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
