Public warned against politicizing Emyooga initiative

DEVELOPMENT|WEALTH CREATION|SACCOS

The Minister of State for Defence in charge of Veteran Affairs, Christopher Kibazanga has warned members of the public against politicizing a newly introduced Presidential initiative on job and wealth creation also known as emyooga.

Kibanzanga made the remarks recently during the launch of the initiative in the Greater Rwenzori districts of Bundibugyo and Ntoroko.

"I would like to warn you people who are going to be the beneficiaries of this initiative. Guard against politics in these enterprises. It doesn't matter who gives you the money," he said.

Kibanzanga explained that whereas politics is not bad, an economy without money is not good either.

"Politics without money is a disaster and confusion but also politics without a strong economy is defined as building confusion .On the other side, politics with money is defined as sharing resources to determine who gets what, where and how," he added.

Alfred Ejanu Eboku, the head, Credit and Operations at Microfinance Support Centre, warned locals against borrowing money from quack money lenders citing that they risk losing their properties under unclear circumstances.

 "Stop accessing cheap and quick capital from money lenders for they have taken advantage of this scenario, providing quick monies, later in the end you lose property you had earlier worked for," Eboku said.

He advised the youth to save and finance investments for future growth.

"This initiative of Emyooga is coming to prepare our people to know that life has possibilities and unforeseen events in the future that may impact on their lifestyle but to also save to finance investments for future growth," he added.

The Ntororko Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Elijah Biryabarema, attributed the high level of poverty in the country to laziness as people don't want to work.

"Research has it that 8.5m Ugandans live below the poverty line; I attribute this to people who don't want to work. Our youths here spend a lot of time on non-productive issues like counting every vehicle heading to Kampala," he said.

He called upon the public to start small businesses and in case it fails they should learn to move on by engaging into or look for other alternatives in order to develop.

"Don't insist on something that is not giving you profits! Move on and try something else. I am rich simply because I do not only rely on the government salary, I engage in different economic activities," Biryabarema stressed.

Umar Muhanguzi, the Bundibuygo RDC, advised the residents to change their mindset if they are to fight poverty.

What residents say

Kabachurezi Jessca

I am very excited about this program, we have been finding difficulty when it comes to starting up small businesses, accessing loans was not easy but with this initiative, we are going to get capital and start businesses.

Emmanuel Businge

We are so happy that the emyooga project has finally reached our district, thanks to the government for this initiative and we shall be able access loans from well-established financial institutions.

Hossiah Mumbere

I am happy and believe this project will save us from the quack money lenders benefit most of the youths for as long as we save money and have financial discipline.