RUBIRIZI – Rubirizi District officials have launched a sweeping crackdown on EMYOOGA loan defaulters, following the shocking discovery that only 26 million shillings have been recovered from the 1.36 billion shillings disbursed across the district.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development follows a one-month ultimatum issued by the Katerera County Member of Parliament, Hon. Boaz Atwijukire, to defaulters to repay the funds or face arrest and prosecution.
The MP issued the caution during a sensitization meeting at Katerera Town Council headquarters, where Rubirizi district officials, security agencies, the RDC’s office, and local leaders gathered to address the EMYOOGA fund crisis.
Hon. Boaz Atwijukire urged beneficiaries to repay the revolving government funds used under the poverty eradication programme, while warning that defaulters and those who mismanaged EMYOOGA and PDM monies will face arrest and prosecution.
“Government gave you this money to fight poverty and support your families. It is a revolving fund, not a gift. You must use it for business, generate income, and return it so that more people can also benefit. Those who misused the money will be arrested and charged to allow others to access this fund,” MP Boaz emphasized.
The MP urged leaders and security agencies to take a firmer stand against the mismanagement of EMYOOGA and PDM funds, stressing that the government aims to lift all residents from poverty and achieve economic prosperity.
Rubirizi District Principal Commercial Officer, Musimenta Benon, painted a grim recovery picture, with 729 SACCOs serving 11,455 individuals receiving 1.36 billion shillings from government, but only 26 million shillings recovered so far.
Katerera EMYOOGA SACCO alone received over 720 million shillings for small business growth under the 2019 programme, which gave saving groups 30 million shillings each to fight poverty, provided as a revolving loan, not a gift.
“EMYOOGA funds are not a gift from President Museveni. It was a revolving fund to fight poverty. Beneficiaries must use the money properly and repay it. Those who fail to pay will be arrested. The government’s goal is to ensure all residents fight poverty and achieve economic prosperity,” Benon clarified.
Rubirizi Resident District Commissioner, Kinene Ahamedi, revealed disturbing reports that some EMYOOGA beneficiaries misused funds on drinking, idleness, and marrying wives, instead of fighting poverty and supporting their families.
The RDC warned against fund diversion and directed local leaders to work with security agencies to arrest and charge defaulters, following a district security committee resolution to monitor beneficiaries and crack down on misuse.
Rubirizi LC5 Chairperson, Agaba Obed Byakureka, expressed concern over alleged fraud and extortion in government funds, advising beneficiaries to keep proper accounts and repay on time to preserve the revolving nature of EMYOOGA.
Byakureka confirmed that leaders are visiting beneficiaries to offer business skills training, stressing that transparency and accountability are essential. He warned that those who misuse funds or fail to repay risk arrest and prosecution.
“We have started visiting beneficiaries to train them in business skills. There must be transparency and accountability in managing the EMYOOGA funds. The government is committed to supporting EMYOOGA SACCOs, but beneficiaries must use the money properly and repay, or they risk arrest and prosecution,” Agaba stated.
Rubirizi District’s new crackdown signals a decisive shift in poverty programme implementation, with officials declaring that the era of impunity over government funds is over.
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