Museveni pledges revolving fund for Mbale State Lodge neighbours

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to establish a revolving fund for residents living near the Mbale State Lodge, saying the government intends to extend wealth-creation opportunities to every homestead in Busamaga parish through organised SACCO structures.

During a meeting with the association of neighbours at Busamaga parish in Mbale city on Sunday (November 16), President Museveni commended the group for organising themselves and seeking a direct conversation with him. 

He said the government’s approach is to ensure that all households are supported in phases, beginning with the Parish Development Model, which he referred to as the initial pilot that will now be expanded.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni being welcomed by the officials of the Mbale State Lodge Neighbors SACCO member at Busamaga ward in Mbale city.

Museveni explained the government’s target by highlighting that Busamaga parish has about 1,000 homesteads and noted that the annual allocation of sh100 million under the Parish Development Model adds up to sh500 million over five years. 

According to a release from the Presidential Press Unit, the President said this would benefit at least 800 homesteads, depending on the amounts borrowed by each family.

He added that the government is prepared to increase the capital so the revolving fund can eventually cover all families, but stressed that this must be managed through well-organised SACCOs.

He cautioned that the misuse of such funds, which he said has been seen in Kampala, must not be repeated.

President Museveni said government support will be delivered through three channels: improved local roads, access to individual credit and group projects.

He told residents that community-owned assets such as taxis, tents for events and public address systems would strengthen the association’s economic base. 

He promised to send the State House Comptroller to confirm legitimate beneficiaries before seed capital is issued.

Spokesperson of the Mbale State Lodge Neighbours Association, Stephen Musoba, said the youth aim to build a self-reliant community and thanked the President for championing programmes that uplift households, including Emyooga, PDM and NAADS.

He appealed for financial support to grow both personal and group enterprises and called for assistance in acquiring assets such as boda bodas, dairy cattle, ovens and a permanent home for the association. 

 

He also pointed out that, as neighbours to the State Lodge, the community plays a frontline role whenever incidents occur nearby.