Africa-Press – Uganda. The Presidential Initiative on Wealth and Job Creation, known as Emyooga, is continuing to register success stories this time among boda boda riders in Kamwokya 1 Ward, Kampala.
Through their SACCO, members have been able to access affordable credit, invest in assets, and expand their businesses.
The Kamwokya 1 Ward Bodaboda SACCO was formed in 2021 under the Emyooga program and received 30 million shillings in seed capital from the government through the Microfinance Support Centre.
Earlier this year, they received an additional 20 million shillings, boosting their lending capacity.
According to Francis Mutawu, chairperson of the SACCO, the group faced initial challenges with loan repayments and managing expectations.
However, over time, members have grown more disciplined and focused on making the most of the low-interest loans.
“At the beginning, we struggled with members who were not creditworthy. But we’ve grown from that. Today, our SACCO is stable and helping members build lasting assets,” Mutawu said.
One such member is Bright Kukundakwe, who also serves as the SACCO’s treasurer.
He says the biggest advantage of borrowing from the Emyooga SACCO is the reduced bureaucracy and lower interest rates compared to commercial lenders.
“With the SACCO, the process is simple and fast. We don’t have to go through too many steps, and the interest is manageable,” Kukundakwe noted.
Another beneficiary, David Muwonge, says the SACCO has helped him maintain his motorcycle and save toward purchasing a second one.
He believes Emyooga has restored financial dignity among riders who were previously excluded from formal credit systems.
Despite being a male-dominated sector, the Kamwokya 1 Ward SACCO has taken deliberate steps to include women, particularly single mothers, among its members. Babra Nassakais one of them.
With the support of the SACCO, Nassaka has not only managed to sustain her business as a vendor, but she has also saved enough to buy a plot of land in her home district of Mpigi.
“I joined the SACCO when I was struggling to make ends meet,” she shared. “Today, I’m proud to say I own land and can support my children better.”
The Kamwokya 1 Ward Bodaboda SACCO now has plans to further expand its capital base and support more members with targeted financial training.
For many in this community, what began as a government initiative has become a stepping stone toward financial independence and long-term stability.
As the Emyooga program continues to mature, SACCOs like this one in Kamwokya are proving that with the right support, even low-income earners can build wealth from the ground up.
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