State House trains skilling hub SACCO leaders on financial management

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The State House Comptroller, Ms Jane Barekye, has cautioned the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub SACCO leaders against misappropriating funds.

“If you use these funds properly, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised to add more into your SACCOs,” she said on Saturday.

Barekye is currently on an assessment tour, which includes training for SACCO leaders of Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs.

L-R: Karamoja Zonal Industrial Hub Manager Lotiang Charles, the State House Comptroller Jane Barekye, the Director of Industrial Hubs and Presidential Projects at State House Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Private Secretary in Charge of Political Affairs and the Youth at State House Godfrey Longa arrive for the Training. (Photo by PPU/Tony Rujuta)

On Saturday, she led a team which held a training session on the proper management of funds for the SACCO leaders at the Karamoja Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Napak district.

A release from the Presidential Press Unit states that participants included leaders and beneficiaries from Karamoja, Sebei and Teso subregions.

The countrywide sensitisation and training program follows President Yoweri Museveni’s recent financial empowerment of the beneficiaries of the skilling hubs.

State House records indicate that the President injected sh8.8 billion into the SACCOs under the Skilling hubs around the country with an aim of supporting the beneficiaries with start-up capital for their enterprises. Each SACCO received Shs50m.

"This is a permanent project if handled well. Don’t misuse the power. Picking people who didn’t study is very criminal, and we shall arrest you if you give the money to non-trainees," Barekye warned.

She also cautioned the leaders against acts of discrimination or misuse of authority, “Don’t turn this money into a ransom or a tool to reward your favourite people.”

“This is a big project under your district. Prepare to manage these funds well so that Mzee’s project doesn’t fail.”

Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, emphasised proper documentation of home addresses or origin of all benefits of the Skilling Hub SACCOs.

The facilitators of the training session were Lutalo Joseph from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and Abdallah Aziz Apat from Post Bank.

The State House Comptroller Jane Barekye, the Director of Industrial Hubs and Presidential Projects at State House Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the Private Secretary In Charge of Political Affairs and the Youth at State House Godfrey Longa having a moment with SACCO leaders from Regional President Industrial Hubs of Sebei, Teso and Karamoja. (Photo by PPU/Tony Rujuta)

Lutalo encouraged the trainees to focus on good leadership principles. “Bad leadership and governance affect government's sustainability of cooperative societies. Leaders should treasure and follow the cooperative values and principles,” he said.  

Relatedly, Aziz advised the trainees to embrace a savings culture for sustainability and wealth creation.

The training, according to the State House, is part of a nationwide effort to equip leaders with financial management skills and ensure the sustainability of government empowerment programs.

Beneficiaries laud President Museveni

Isangu Rose, a beneficiary of the Karamoja Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, reported that after the training, she now owns a bakery in Serere town, employs four people, and saves sh450,000 every month.

I had dropped out of school in S.5. With the skills I got after the 6 months’ course, and with the support the President gave of sh10m as startup capital, I was able to start up my business,” Isangu reported.

Awe Jacob from Teso Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub said that he owns a bakery shop in Soroti City, employs two workers and saves sh500,000 per month from the business.

“Life was very hard before I joined the skilling hub, but I’m now able to earn money and take care of my family. I want to urge women not to wait for kameza money but instead join hubs and get skills,” he urged.

“I also thank the President for the sh50 million support to each SACCO. We are going to utilise these funds well and add to our businesses,” Jacob remarked.

The State House Comptroller Jane Barekye (left), listening to some of the SACCO leaders representatives from Regional President Industrial hubs of Sebei, Teso and Karamoja. (Photo by PPU/Tony Rujuta)

Opio Gerrison Nakuya, a former trainee in welding and metal fabrication from Teso Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub, is a new owner of a workshop in Abim district.

He currently employs three people.

“I want to thank President Museveni for giving us a chance to get skills. I had never thought of being someone important, but now I can get contracts. Like in my first contract, I was able to get sh2.5 million, and I'm the chairperson of Teso SACCO. We received sh50m from President Museveni. We are very happy, and this is going to help us work together for development,” he submitted.