COVID-19: Masindi boda SACCO halts issuance of motorcycle loans

May 14, 2020

According to Ricky Barongo the association’s secretary, the prevailing conditions have forced them to suspend activities until normalcy sets in.

COVID-19  HEALTH

MASINDI- Masindi Motorcycle Operators Association (MAMOA) has halted savings and issuance of motorcycle loans to its members due to the persistent COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Ricky Barongo the association's secretary, the prevailing conditions have forced them to suspend activities until normalcy sets in.

"We shall resume all our activities immediately the lockdown is lifted. Currently, our members can't save nor can we give them loans because they are not working. Some of our members are starving because they have nothing to eat," Barongo said.  

He revealed that MAMOA had partnered with post bank to offer motorcycles on loan to their members. However, due to the countrywide lockdown, the partnership was put at a standstill.

"The loan program had gained momentum until coronavirus happened. Right now, we can't do anything until everything gets back to normal," he said.

The association has over 3000 members. However, some of the members who don't own motorcycles but only hired, have been hit harder by the lockdown. "The owners of the motorcycles took them. They could have earned from carrying luggage but it's now impossible," Barongo said

Matia Joseph, a boda-boda rider said after the president banned public transport, his boss took the motorcycle. 

"Life has become complicated. I don't have money yet I need to feed my family. All I am praying for is the lockdown to be lifted or else we won't survive," Matia said.

In a related development, Barongo revealed that the association is likely to get evicted from its current premises because of failure to pay rent.

"We raise money from the association's daily operations, savings and registration of new members. However, since we are not operational, we are unable to pay rent," Barongo said.

 

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