In July this year, President Museveni visited carpenters under the Kubbiri Furniture Makers Initiative in the Kampala suburb of Mulago and donated a truck, furniture making machines and a cheque of 100 million shillings which was intended to boost their business. The carpenters said the money was dispersed and they formed a Savings and Credit Co-operative Society Organization to which it was credited. However, the carpenters complained that the people managing the money were making it difficult for them to access it by asking for collateral which they couldn’t afford. “They are asking for land titles but one who possesses a land title would have no need to borrow from Museveni’s money.” “These youths here cannot get that money because they are asking for too much collateral.”

The aggrieved carpenters said the money was donated by the President with the aim of easing access to funds to boost their businesses but the money had only benefited a few individuals who did not necessarily need it. “The people supposed to get that money haven’t benefited from it.” Kaweesa was on those who had not been able to access the money because of the high collateral. He said that the people that were charged with the distribution of the money should consider making it more accessible. “Leaders should be able to monitor the progress of the businesses of those who borrow from the SACCO instead putting difficult conditions for borrowers.”

NTV reached out to the leaders of Carpenters’ SACCO who declined to speak on the matter. However, the State Minister for Micro-Finance Haruna Kasolo said that those who felt aggrieved should take their issues to the Ministry. “I would also implore those people complaining to come to my office to formally lodge in their complaint so that I can follow up and see how I can help them.” Kasolo also advised the Carpenters to first grow their SACCO by saving with it before they could think of accessing the loan. “You should first of all become a member, you should also start saving. If you don’t save and you want to be given money or a loan, really that’s why the directors must ask for collateral security.”