The Presidential Initiative
On Wealth & Job Creation

Exchange Visits

Connecting Uganda: Emyooga exchange visits build bridges across regions

In line with its mandate to promote national cohesion and inclusive economic growth, the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) has facilitated a series of inter-regional Emyooga Exchange Visits that have united communities from across Uganda.

These visits were designed to foster peer-to-peer learning, share success stories, and strengthen the adoption of wealth creation initiatives.

Through these visits, beneficiaries from various sub-regions travelled across the country, West Nile to Hoima and Kabarole, Karamoja to Ankore, Acholi to Ankore, Busoga to Kigezi, and many others.

In return, regions such as Ankore, Bunyoro, Kigezi, and Tooro hosted participants from across the nation.

These activities have connected Ugandans from all corners, creating networks that transcend geography and cultural boundaries.

To date, more than 15,000 individuals representing 1,000 Emyooga SACCOs have participated in these exchange programmes.

The engagements have offered a platform for SACCO leaders and members to learn effective management practices, share innovations in enterprise growth, and witness firsthand the transformative impact of government programs in other regions.

The success of these visits lies not only in knowledge transfer but also in strengthening the spirit of unity, togetherness, and shared progress.

Participants have returned to their communities with renewed motivation to expand their businesses, mobilise more members, and replicate best practices.

Through such initiatives, MSC continues to demonstrate that Emyooga is more than a financial intervention; it is a vehicle for building bridges of understanding, cooperation, and economic empowerment among Ugandans.

Emyooga Forums

To deepen citizen participation and ensure the sustainability of Uganda’s wealth creation agenda, MSC has established a robust framework of Emyooga Forums. These networks bring together beneficiaries serving as volunteer advocates and community mobilisers for the government’s socio-economic programmes. The Emyooga Forums are structured across four administrative tiers, constituency, district, sub-region, and national levels.

Each level comprises 18 representatives drawn from every Emyooga category, with the national forum consisting of 30 members. Collectively, this structure embodies more than 6,400 active volunteers working to mobilize, sensitize, and monitor progress in their respective communities

Governance

Building trust: How audits and AGMs are strengthening SACCO governance

Accountability and transparency remain central to the sustainability of Emyooga SACCOs.

During FY 2024/25, 3,888 SACCOs across Uganda underwent statutory audits, while 2,855 held their Annual General Meetings (AGMs), a notable 73.4% compliance rate.

These milestones underscore MSC's strong emphasis on financial discipline and governance.

Regular audits ensure that SACCOs maintain accurate records, detect irregularities early, and foster trust among members.

AGMs, on the other hand, give members a platform to review reports, elect leaders, and make key decisions collectively, strengthening democratic governance within the cooperatives.

Zonal offices such as Mbale and Mbarara recorded high audit compliance, with 568 and 460 SACCOs audited, respectively.

This performance reflects increased awareness and adherence to cooperative standards, thanks to MSC's targeted sensitization and support to DCOs and Financial Extension Workers.

"The audits and AGMs have empowered members to take ownership of their SACCOs. They now demand accountability from their leaders," remarked an RDC in the Eastern region.

By promoting regular audits and member meetings, MSC continues to embed a culture of good governance and transparency in Uganda's cooperative movement, ensuring that the benefits of Emyooga are protected and sustained for generations.

From probation to permanence: How SACCOs are achieving full registration

The journey from provisional registration to full compliance marks a milestone of success for many Emyooga SACCOs.

In Q4 FY 2024/25, 353 SACCOs renewed their registration, with two, Kashari South Market Vendors SACCO and Ibanda Municipality Tailors SACCO, attaining permanent registration.

These SACCOs exemplify the success that can be achieved through commitment to governance, transparency, and financial management.

Their ability to maintain consistent audits, hold AGMs, and adhere to reporting standards earned them permanent status under the Cooperative Societies Act.

MSC's mentorship and technical assistance have been instrumental in guiding SACCOs toward compliance.

Through 45 mentors and 147 Financial Extension Workers, underperforming SACCOs received training and support on audit readiness, record-keeping, and leadership development.

"Mentorship has transformed how our SACCO operates. We've strengthened our internal controls and improved member trust," shared a leader from Kashari South Market Vendors SACCO.

With more than 3,840 SACCOs now holding valid certificates, MSC's continuous oversight is ensuring that Emyooga SACCOs evolve into strong, self-sustaining institutions that embody the principles of good governance and cooperative excellence.

Emyooga Barazas

Thousands gather at Emyooga public barazas to celebrate economic progress

The Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) continues to demonstrate the tangible impact of government-led wealth creation initiatives through large-scale Emyooga Public Barazas held across the country.

These gatherings have become flagship platforms for showcasing progress, accountability, and citizen engagement under the Emyooga programme.

This year, MSC organized three major barazas in Masaka, Mbarara, and Jinja, each attracting more than 15,000 participants, including MPs, RDCs, local government officials, Emyooga SACCO leaders, and ordinary beneficiaries.

The events provided an open platform for dialogue, experience sharing, and celebration of the programme's achievements in promoting financial inclusion and enterprise development.

At these barazas, participants exhibited success stories that demonstrated how Emyooga has enabled thousands of Ugandans to transition from subsistence living to sustainable entrepreneurship.

SACCOs showcased products from carpentry, tailoring, welding, and other trades, symbolizing the vibrancy of Uganda's grassroots economy.

The events also served to strengthen the relationship between government agencies and citizens.

Through these engagements, MSC received valuable feedback that informs future policy interventions while reinforcing transparency and public trust in government programmes.

Beyond their celebratory atmosphere, the barazas embodied government's commitment to participatory development.

They reminded Ugandans that wealth creation is not merely a policy aspiration but a lived reality for millions benefiting from access to credit, training, and collective savings.

Through these public events, MSC reaffirmed its central role in driving the national agenda of inclusive economic transformation — ensuring that Emyooga remains a household name synonymous with empowerment, unity, and progress.