I won’t resign over funds - minister Saleh
THE micro-finance minister has said he will not resign despite the bureaucracies involved in the disbursement of the Bonna Bagaggawale funds.
By Mariam Nalunkuuma
THE micro-finance minister has said he will not resign despite the bureaucracies involved in the disbursement of the Bonna Bagaggawale funds.
Salim Saleh said, “I am not about to give up. It is horrible in all ministries when it comes to releasing funds. I think bureaucracy should actually be discussed in parliament.
“I was supposed to launch this national (prosperity-for-all) programme on 2nd December 2006 but there have been stoppages and stoppages. This is the bureaucracy we are talking about.â€
Appearing before MPs on the committee of commissions, statutory bodies and state enterprises, Saleh said the funds are not only meant for NRM members but all Ugandans.
The committee is investigating the competence of Post Bank to handle the programme’s funds.
Flanked by finance state minister Fred Omach, Saleh said micro-finance services would be extended to the grassroots in 2009. He said the government was still establishing infrastructure and conducting trainings for those to handle the programme.
“This programme is for everybody. It’s neither for NRM nor FDC. I am now operating under pressure because the Uganda cooperative Alliance (UCA) is frustrating my efforts.
“They are saying that only 50 SACCOs (cooperatives) can be certified per year,†Saleh said, adding, “But 589 SACCOs need to be established and this will take them 12 years. I will not allow this.â€
Omach said the government would recapitalise Post Bank with sh6.5b so it becomes a fully-fledged financial institution.
“Post Bank has the competency to roll out to all sub-counties. And the public should be assured of getting the services even if it does not reach their sub-counties,†Omach said.
THE micro-finance minister has said he will not resign despite the bureaucracies involved in the disbursement of the Bonna Bagaggawale funds.
Salim Saleh said, “I am not about to give up. It is horrible in all ministries when it comes to releasing funds. I think bureaucracy should actually be discussed in parliament.
“I was supposed to launch this national (prosperity-for-all) programme on 2nd December 2006 but there have been stoppages and stoppages. This is the bureaucracy we are talking about.â€
Appearing before MPs on the committee of commissions, statutory bodies and state enterprises, Saleh said the funds are not only meant for NRM members but all Ugandans.
The committee is investigating the competence of Post Bank to handle the programme’s funds.
Flanked by finance state minister Fred Omach, Saleh said micro-finance services would be extended to the grassroots in 2009. He said the government was still establishing infrastructure and conducting trainings for those to handle the programme.
“This programme is for everybody. It’s neither for NRM nor FDC. I am now operating under pressure because the Uganda cooperative Alliance (UCA) is frustrating my efforts.
“They are saying that only 50 SACCOs (cooperatives) can be certified per year,†Saleh said, adding, “But 589 SACCOs need to be established and this will take them 12 years. I will not allow this.â€
Omach said the government would recapitalise Post Bank with sh6.5b so it becomes a fully-fledged financial institution.
“Post Bank has the competency to roll out to all sub-counties. And the public should be assured of getting the services even if it does not reach their sub-counties,†Omach said.