Pallisa Muslim women get startup loans

Beneficiaries counting their money

Fifteen Muslim women from Kagoli Women Development Association in Pallisa sub-county, Pallisa district on Wednesday went home ecstatic after the Government gave them startup loans. 

Godfrey Kuruhira, the chief administrative officer of Pallisa district, said 40 out of over 200 groups that showed interest in getting the revolving loans from Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme under the gender ministry got funded.

Kuruhira said the beneficiaries are given a grace period of six months before they start paying back the three-year loan.

Safia Namisi, the association chairperson said they had requested for sh9m, but only sh5m was approved.

"We have challenged them during the training sessions to focus on the enterprises that benefit them and those who missed in this allocation will be catered for in subsequent funds," Kuruhira said.

However, Dawson Wamire, the district community development officer asked men to keep off the women's money because it is a loan.

"It is unacceptable for men to think that whatever belongs to their wives is theirs and I caution those with such intentions to stop frustrating the programme", Wamire said.