State House Comptroller calls for transparency, accountability of SACCOs leaders

The State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, on Friday opened a training session to guide leaders on the proper management and accountability of the SACCO funds disbursed by President Yoweri Museveni to support the beneficiaries of the Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs.

Recently, President Museveni injected Shs8.8 billion into SACCOs under the Skilling hubs with the intention of empowering the beneficiaries with start-up capital. Each SACCO received Shs50 million.

After the six months' skills training, beneficiaries receive financial start-up packs to set up businesses of their choice.

On October 17th, Baryeke led a training session for SACCO leaders, commercial officers, district leaders, and members of the youth and women leagues from Bukedi, Busoga, and Bugisu sub-regions gathered at the Bukedi Zonal Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Kibuku district.

A former student praises and appreciates President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for changing her life. This was during the Training to Regional President Industrial hubs of Bukedi, Busoga and Bugisu SACCO leaders on Management of the SACCO funds from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Bukedi sub-region Industrial hub in Lwatama sub-county, Kibuku district, October 17, 2025. (All Photos by PPU/Tony Rujuta)

Addressing the participants, Barekye emphasised transparency, teamwork, and the need for leaders to monitor the progress of initiatives in their respective areas to ensure the funds achieve their intended purpose of transforming livelihoods.

“We have come here with technical people to train you on how to use this money. SACCO leaders, please be honest. Your offices are going to be busy, but don't first divide this money amongst yourselves, prioritise those who have no capital,” she stressed. 

Barekye also noted that the President’s vision is to see every trainee engaged in productive work after being trained in different skills at the industrial hubs.

“There are some people who have skills but have no capital. Now, the President has empowered you to utilise the money well. The President pledged that the SACCOs that perform well will be given more money", she stated. 

She also tipped women on prioritising investments, cautioning against temptations from husbands to divert the SACCO money.

The Director of Industrial Hubs and Presidential Projects at State House Eng. Raymond Kamugisha giving a lecture during a Training to Regional President Industrial hubs of Bukedi, Busoga and Bugisu SACCO leaders on Management of the SACCO funds from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Bukedi sub-region Industrial hub in Lwatama sub-county, Kibuku district.

“Your husbands should not mislead you. Invest this money in skills you acquired from here, which will help you to yield something, then you can spend after you have got profits,” Barekye emphasised, according to a release from the Presidential Press Unit.
In her concluding remarks, she emphasised "you should utilise this chance well; the interest rate is 6% per annum compared to the 'kafuuna' money (money from money lenders), which is usually 10% per month. The President has given you this money, utilise it very well," Barekye said.

She warned the SACCO leaders against asking for application fees for the loans from the eligible beneficiaries. “The President’s money is free; don't ask for application fees from anyone,” she asserted.

Barekye appealed to the SACCO leaders and government officials, like the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), to do due diligence and ensure that the loans benefit the intended parties.

She warned that any person who misappropriates the funds will be arrested and prosecuted.

The Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha revealed that the four new courses introduced will start in January next year.

“We have 19 hubs across the country, and we have been having seven courses, namely: tailoring, building and construction, welding and metal fabrication, baking and hairdressing, but President Museveni added four more courses.

Some of the excited former students attending a Training for Regional President Industrial hubs of Bukedi, Busoga and Bugisu SACCO leaders on Management of the SACCO funds from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Bukedi sub-region Industrial hub in Lwatama sub-county, Kibuku district.

These are: plumbing, electric installation, automobile mechanics, weaving and knitting,” he said.

He further cautioned local leaders against asking for money from people seeking enrollment...

“I'm told that there are some officials who ask for recruitment fees. Whoever asks for it will be arrested; lest let me know and we'll deal with them,” he cautioned.

Eng. Kamugisha also tasked leaders to support the skills initiative beneficiaries by creating opportunities for them where they can supply their products and services through local government tenders.

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

The State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, leading the Training to the Regional President Industrial hubs of Bukedi, Busoga and Bugisu on Management of the SACCO funds from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Bukedi sub-region Industrial hub in Lwatama sub-county, Kibuku district.

Beneficiaries' testimonies from Bukedi Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub:

Lagos Jane, a former tailoring student:

“After the course, I emerged as the best student, and I was awarded with Shs7 million. With that money, I was able to set up my own workshop. I employ three workers, save sh50,000 per day."

Joy Munialo, who now owns a beauty salon in Namisindwa district, thanked President Museveni for the skilling opportunity.

“My husband left me for a working woman because I was not educated..
I'm now a business owner," she revealed.

Ouma James, trained as a welder, also thanked President Museveni for the skilling hubs and acknowledged that the sh50m he has put in our SACCO received sh50m, to grow their businesses.