Bugweri women tipped on poverty alleviation

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Bugweri district women have been urged to stop depending on fundraising as a source of income, but rather embrace government poverty alleviation programmes.

"Fundraising is not a sustainable solution for funds mobilisation for economic growth, instead, your leaders should identify the opportunities we have in our government for poverty eradication, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, the GROW project,” National Resistance Movement (NRM) party national treasurer Barbara Nekesa Oundo says.

She made the remarks on May 10, 2025, while addressing a Muslim women's savings and credit co-operative organisation (SACCO) group at Mbigiti Memorial Technical Institute in Makuutu town council, Bugweri district.

Barbara Nekesa Oundo, the National Treasurer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Iganga Woman Member of Parliament, Sauda Alibawo, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, sharing a light moment at Mbigiti Memorial Technical Institute in Makuutu town council, Bugweri district. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Nekesa noted that it is high time residents of Busoga region concentrated on combatting household poverty through embracing empowerment programmes of the Government, adding that women should also stop depending on “Kameeza” money as a source of income.

At the event, Nekesa was representing NRM secretary general Richard Todwong.

“What you are trying to do here aligns with the NRM manifesto. As the ruling party, we welcome this idea of fighting poverty, and as a party, we shall support you,” Nekesa said, and on behalf of the party, donated sh10m to the SACCO.

On the liberation struggle of Uganda, Nekesa commended ‎the people of Bugweri for contributing to the liberation struggle of Uganda through their children like the Late Alhajj. Kirunda Kivejinja.

‎"Kivejinja sacrificed his youthful age for prevailing peace and stability after the five-year people's protracted war in the Luwero Triangle. Uganda has been stable for the last 40 years. All thanks to President Yoweri Museveni and his combatants like your child the late Hajji. Kivejinja," Nekesa said.

‎‎She reiterated that there is no longer state-inspired violence because of the NRM government policy of prioritising peace and security, but warned that the country can easily slide back in case of bad leadership.

“Because of the peace that Uganda has had for the last 40 years, come 2026, we need to renew Museveni’s mandate,” Nekesa said.

‎She said the NRM government has done a lot and much more is in the pipeline in many sectors like roads, schools and the health sector, which have enabled development."

Deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, also commended the SACCO vision-bearers who seek to support the locals in their wealth creation.

‎‎"I pray to Allah to give you strength and more vision to expand the SACCO to a bigger Microfinance," Waiswa said.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, also challenged women to stop depending on “kameza” money. Buzeki also contributed sh3m to the Women Muslim SACCO.

The function was also attended by Iganga Woman Member of Parliament Sauda Alibawo, RDCs and other local leaders.