Wanyoto Pledges Shs10m to Boost Women Leaders’ Economic Empowerment in Mbale

Counsel Paul Mugoya Wanyoto has pledged Shs10 million to support the establishment of a savings and credit cooperative organisation (SACCO) for Mbale City women council leaders, in a move aimed at strengthening their economic empowerment and improving household incomes.

Wanyoto made the pledge on Thursday afternoon during a meeting with the women leaders in Mbale, as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) intensifies preparations for the October 24 endorsement Baraza for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba at Mbale Cricket Ground.

The proposed SACCO is intended to provide the women leaders with a platform to pool savings, access financial support and invest in income-generating activities that could improve their livelihoods and financial independence.

During the meeting, the women leaders expressed concern that they had been left behind economically despite their leadership positions and responsibilities in political mobilisation at the community level.

They appealed to Wanyoto for support to enable them to improve their household incomes, meet their families’ needs and provide better educational opportunities for their children.

The leaders said access to organised financial support would help them translate their community leadership roles into meaningful economic opportunities and improve their ability to support their families. 

Wanyoto sets conditions for Shs10m support

In response, Wanyoto encouraged the women to organise themselves into a SACCO, establish transparent leadership structures and agree on clear mechanisms for managing the funds and coordinating their activities.

He pledged to provide Shs10 million as start-up capital once the group had been properly organised, adding that the money could be released as early as Friday, October 23, if the women completed the necessary arrangements.

Wanyoto emphasised the importance of organisation and accountability, urging the women to put in place a functional structure before receiving the financial support.

He also promised to mobilise friends and other well-wishers from Kampala to contribute to the growth of the SACCO and support initiatives aimed at improving the economic welfare of women in Mbale City.

The proposed financial contribution is expected to give the group an initial capital base from which members could develop savings habits, access financing and pursue small-scale businesses and other productive ventures.

However, the success of the initiative will depend on how the SACCO is organised, how its resources are managed and the extent to which members embrace collective saving and responsible borrowing. 

Women welcome economic empowerment initiative

The women leaders welcomed Wanyoto’s pledge, thanking him for responding to their concerns and expressing willingness to support an initiative that could improve their economic circumstances.

They viewed the proposed SACCO as an opportunity to address some of the financial challenges facing women leaders, particularly those balancing community responsibilities with the demands of supporting their households.

A well-managed SACCO could provide members with a shared financial platform through which they can mobilise savings, obtain loans for business activities and gradually build their economic independence.

The initiative also highlights the role community-based financial organisations can play in supporting women who may have limited access to formal credit or sufficient capital to expand their economic activities. 

PLU mobilisation ahead of October 24 Baraza

The meeting was part of ongoing engagements by PLU coordinators with community leaders ahead of Saturday’s endorsement Baraza for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba at Mbale Cricket Ground.

The engagements have brought together local leaders and mobilisation teams as preparations gather momentum for the planned gathering in the Bugisu sub-region.

Wanyoto’s meeting with the women leaders added an economic empowerment dimension to the engagements, with the proposed SACCO offering a potential avenue for addressing concerns raised by women involved in grassroots leadership and mobilisation.

The October 24 event is expected to draw PLU supporters and other community members to Mbale for the endorsement activities.

For the women leaders, the immediate priority will be to organise the proposed SACCO, establish accountable leadership and agree on how the pledged start-up capital will be managed to ensure that it benefits members.

If implemented effectively, the initiative could provide a foundation for collective savings, enterprise development and improved household welfare among the participating women in Mbale City.