Masindi Youth Demand Action on PDM, Emyooga Fund Recovery

Youth organizations in Masindi District have formally requested the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the Member of Parliament (MP) to intensify efforts in recovering Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga funds, arguing that overdue repayments are preventing other aspiring beneficiaries from accessing these crucial government credit facilities.

Members of the Masindi Youth Millennium Group, along with village savings groups and boda boda operators, have expressed concern that the intended revolving nature of these funds is being significantly undermined by a growing number of defaulting beneficiaries. This non-repayment cycle is weakening the overall impact of these poverty-reduction initiatives.

According to district records, Masindi District received Shs1.6 billion for PDM, aimed at supporting enterprises across 19 priority sectors, while Masindi Municipality was allocated Shs600 million for youth SACCO start-ups. Several municipal SACCOs also received additional funding for strong performance.

The District Commercial Officer, Moses Kalyegira, pointed out that a prevalent issue is the widespread misunderstanding of the program’s loan structure, with some SACCO leaders incorrectly viewing the funds as grants rather than loans with an eight percent annual interest rate. He also cited weak financial literacy and insufficient sensitization as key contributors to poor repayment rates.

Youth representatives lamented that many eager young individuals are being excluded from the programs due to the failure of earlier recipients to repay their loans. “We are asking leaders to ensure those who borrowed government money repay on time. If it is not returned, others like us cannot access it,” stated Irumba Haruna Ismail, secretary of the Masindi Youth Millennium Group.

Masindi RDC Darius Nandinda acknowledged the youth’s concerns, confirming that the government is intensifying recovery efforts and emphasizing the importance of the funds revolving for broader benefit. He assured that enforcement teams are actively working with local leaders to track down defaulters.

Concurrent with recovery efforts, Masindi Municipality MP Rogers Byamukama stressed the need for complementary training and business support for beneficiaries to improve their capacity to manage and repay loans effectively. He advocated for enhanced supervision and monitoring of SACCOs to ensure program sustainability and maximize their transformative potential.

Despite assurances from district officials, youth groups maintain that immediate and decisive action is imperative to restore faith in these programs and safeguard the integrity of the revolving fund system.

Source: Daily Monitor