State House has put several Emyooga SACCO leaders in Namisindwa District on its wanted list after they allegedly left the country with millions of shillings they received under the government programme.
The leaders, who reportedly travelled to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries shortly after receiving the money, are being pursued as part of an ongoing State House campaign to recover Emyooga funds in the Bugisu sub-region.
Among those wanted is Godwin, the treasurer of a Performing Artists SACCO, who allegedly received Shs18 million, and James Wamburwa, the chairperson of Restaurant Owners Bubulo East SACCO, who allegedly took Shs26 million. The two are among several SACCO leaders whom authorities say have not been traced since leaving the country about five years ago.
Namisindwa District Commercial Officer, Benard Kitongo, said the district had failed to recover the money because the individuals left the country soon after receiving the funds. Kitongo said some of the SACCOs had since collapsed, with members abandoning them after their leaders allegedly took the money and left.
Janet Bira, a State House legal officer attached to the Emyooga programme, expressed concern over SACCO leaders who left the country without repaying the money. Bira said the funds were issued as revolving loans and beneficiaries were expected to repay them so that other members could access the money.
She said the government would work with Uganda’s diplomatic missions and authorities in the countries where the suspects are believed to be staying to pursue them and facilitate their return to Uganda. “We are going to work with our embassies in those countries to make sure that these people are arrested and brought back to Uganda,” Bira said.
The State House team also ordered the arrest of leaders of Namisindwa Mechanics SACCO in Bukhaweka Town Council over failure to account for more than Shs8.8 million. The SACCO chairperson, Robert Butsata, and his deputy were accused of failing to account for the money after claiming that it had been taken by their treasurer, who died last year.
At Bubulo East Constituency Market Vendors Association in Magale Town Council, SACCO leaders agreed to repay more than Shs2 million they had received about five years ago, following intervention by the State House team. The recovery campaign is being conducted across the Bugisu sub-region and is scheduled to conclude on Thursday with visits to Bududa and Manafwa districts.
The Emyooga programme provides financial support to organised groups through SACCOs, with the funds intended to circulate among beneficiaries and support income-generating activities. The State House recovery campaign is seeking to trace beneficiaries and SACCO leaders who have failed to repay or account for funds issued under the programme-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
