By Frank Kamuntu
The Office of the NRM National Chairman (ONC) visited Mayuge District in eastern Uganda on Saturday, extending its popular self-empowerment initiative.
This effort provided President Museveni’s Bazzukulu with startup capital tools to combat poverty and improve their livelihoods.
Representing Chief Muzzukulu and ONC Manager SPA Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, ONC Spokesperson Mr. Kintu Moses addressed the community at the event on June 29 and rallied members of the Bugadde SACCO to embrace the “Musevenomics” gospel of wealth creation for socio-economic transformation.
Celebrating 19 years of service in eastern Uganda, Bugadde SACCO organized a fundraising event themed “Bugadde Eyake,” aimed at installing street lights in Bugadde sub-county. The community united under this theme to enhance local infrastructure.
In her absence, Mr Kintu conveyed Hajjat Namyalo’s apologies and announced her donation of five street lights.
Additionally, she contributed capital items such as sewing machines, toolboxes, and hair dryers, worth millions of shillings, to support SACCO members in income generation and savings.
Kintu questioned the community about receiving Parish Development Model (PDM) funds during his address and about 80% of attendees reported not receiving the funds, prompting him to involve the commercial officer for clarification.
Residents expressed concerns that parish chiefs were allocating the funds to wealthier individuals instead of the intended beneficiaries.
He emphasized the PDM as a vital government initiative for starting small businesses to improve livelihoods. He promised to conduct a fact-finding mission to investigate the distribution of last year’s PDM allocation of UGX 100 million, ensuring transparency and accountability.
He also urged the youth to remain vigilant against rising HIV/AIDS infections and to embrace President Museveni’s wealth-creation strategies, aimed at uplifting all Ugandans’ living standards. Several youth and women’s groups benefited from the distribution of capital items to create wealth and jobs.
Later, Mr. Kintu presided over the distribution of tools to beneficiary groups, emphasizing the importance of self-empowerment and community development.
Hon. Isabirye Idi, the area representative, donated UGX 2 million and encouraged the community to prioritize wealth creation.
The event, held at Bugadde Primary School grounds, was attended by Mayuge District local government leaders, councillors, chairpersons, ONC coordinators from the Busoga sub-region led by Ms. Kyanika Rehema, and other dignitaries. The school received six mattresses from the ONC to improve the quality of its sickbay.
Bugadde SACCO, boasting a balance of UGX 28 billion, was encouraged to tap into the UGX 30 billion earmarked for onward lending in the FY 2024/2025 budget, furthering its commitment to corporate social responsibility and community development.
