Govt, Speaker inject UGX 13 M in UPPA SACCO

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association-UPPA SACCO has received a boost of Shillings 13 million.

The Micro Finance State Minister, Haruna Kasolo and the Speaker of Parliament handed over a dummy Cheque of Shillings 10 million and Shillings 3 million in cash respectively during the launch of the Sacco yesterday.

Some MPs and parliamentary staff also made pledges of Shillings 3 million to be collected by the end of next month. The UPPA SACCO was registered in June 2019.

Speaking at the launch on Thursday, the Micro Finance State Minister, Haruna Kasolo advised the SACCO leaders to encourage a saving culture among journalists to avoid depending on contributions from well-wishers.

He was responding to statement by the UPPA President Moses Mulondo indicating that the SACCO was formed to enhance the earnings of journalists.

He says the 89 members of the SACCO have so far saved Shillings 5 million. Mulondo said his leadership is optimistic that more people will join the SACCO because over 270 journalists are accredited to cover Parliament.

However, Kasolo noted that the figure was still low saying the journalists have to ensure their savings grow with or without support from well-wishers.

The Minister of State for Planning at Finance Ministry David Bahati also urged the SACCO members to come up with income generating projects to boost their savings.

However, the National Coordinator Uganda Human Rights Network for Journalists, Robert Ssempala noted that Bahati’s proposal could compromise journalists.

This prompted Bahati to clarify that SACCO transactions can be deemed as those done by a business and journalists.

The Speaker of parliament, Rebbeca Kadaga asked journalists to observe professional standards while covering Parliament and ensure smooth running of their SACCO.

Last May, Mulondo’s leadership requested Kadaga and the Parliamentary Commission to consider paying monthly allowances to UPPA members and make contributions to its SACCO.

Kadaga pledged to put the issue before the Commission and give a response to UPPA.

A month later, the UPPA SACCO was registered and started operations.

However, Kadaga didn’t comment on UPPA’s request for the monthly allowances but rather made a personal contribution to the SACCO.

Patrick Ocaido, a journalist described the SACCO as a “briefcase” where several members lost their savings due to gross mismanagement.

The SACCO Chairperson, Susan Nawonga pledged her commitment to see the SACCO grow by encouraging UPPA members to join it. She says that SACCO members have the opportunity to enhance their incomes and earnings.

Each member pays Shillings 50,000. Shillings 30,000 is membership fees while Shillings 20,000 is for 2 shares.

Each member is entitled to a maximum of 2 shares and is expected to save a minimum of Shillings 10,000 monthly with the SACCO.

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