MUKONO DISTRICT– The Minister for the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Budiope West Constituency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has called on women and youths to embrace savings, entrepreneurship and productive economic activities as key drivers of household wealth creation and socio-economic transformation.
The Minister made the remarks while officiating at the launch of a Development Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) at Katega Village, Mpoma Satellite, in Mukono District, following an invitation by Hon. Aidah Nantaba.
The launch, which took place during a Sabbath worship service, attracted approximately 500 members and marked a significant milestone in efforts to promote grassroots economic empowerment, improve household incomes and create sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
In her address, Minister Babalanda conveyed warm greetings from H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. (Rtd.) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni; the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande; and the entire staff of the Office of the President.
She commended Hon. Aidah Nantaba and Commissioner Titus Kisambira for spearheading the initiative, noting that it provides an important platform for women and youths to participate in productive economic activities, develop entrepreneurial skills and improve their livelihoods.
Babalanda particularly applauded the SACCO’s practical and inclusive approach to wealth creation through poultry farming, which is intended to provide members with an accessible avenue for generating income.
Under the proposed arrangement, beneficiaries will receive 50 chicks after making an initial contribution of UGX 200,000. The SACCO will also provide free poultry feeds, veterinary services and a guaranteed market for their produce at a favourable price.
However, the SACCO leadership appealed for financial support amounting to UGX 100 million from President Museveni to enable vulnerable members who cannot afford the initial UGX 200,000 contribution to participate in the programme.
The Minister noted that such support would expand access to the initiative, particularly among disadvantaged women and youths who have the potential to engage in productive activities but lack the initial capital.
She further welcomed plans by the SACCO to diversify its programmes beyond poultry farming by introducing vocational and entrepreneurial skills training in areas such as tailoring, bricklaying, hairdressing and other income-generating activities.
According to the Minister, equipping beneficiaries with practical and marketable skills would enhance self-reliance, create employment opportunities and strengthen the economic well-being of families and communities.
Babalanda urged SACCO members to embrace a strong culture of saving, teamwork and responsible investment, emphasising that collective action and financial discipline are essential for sustainable economic progress.
She also encouraged them to take advantage of existing Government wealth-creation and poverty-eradication interventions, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), the Youth Livelihood Programme and the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
She emphasised that although Government continues to provide various interventions to improve household incomes and expand economic opportunities, citizens must take personal responsibility by engaging in productive ventures and utilising available opportunities effectively.
“The fight against household poverty requires a deliberate commitment to hard work, discipline, financial responsibility and the effective utilisation of available opportunities,” she emphasised.
The Minister also reminded the congregation that faith must be accompanied by hard work and practical action, urging believers to trust God while diligently pursuing opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
She encouraged members to remain focused, work collectively and trust God to bless the work of their hands.
As part of her commitment to the initiative, Babalanda pledged continued support towards the SACCO’s growth, including lobbying for strategic partnerships and other interventions that would strengthen its operations and expand its economic empowerment programmes.
She also made a personal contribution of UGX 5 million towards the SACCO’s development and progress.
The Minister observed that grassroots initiatives such as the Development SACCO are important in complementing Government’s wealth-creation agenda by translating national policies into practical economic opportunities for ordinary citizens.
She noted that empowering women and youths through access to affordable economic opportunities, vocational skills and sustainable income-generating activities is critical to strengthening households, creating jobs and accelerating socio-economic transformation.
The launch reaffirmed the importance of community-based financial institutions in promoting a savings culture, supporting entrepreneurship and extending economic opportunities to citizens at the grassroots.
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