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Nakasongola, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nakasongola district has suspended the activities of Emyooga programme over the surge in COVID-19 cases.
At least 80 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Nakasongola district. One of the four cases detected at district headquarters was an asymptomatic case by a staff working at a commercial office.
The government disbursed 1.080 billion shillings to 36 emyooga groups in Nakasongola district for wealth and job creation. The programme is coordinated by the district commercial office.
Beneficiaries of emyooga programme frequent the commercial office seeking approvals to access the money and others hold meetings at the district to collect savings as well as issue loans to members.
Now, the Nakasongola district taskforce on COVID-19 has resolved to suspend Emyooga programme citing high numbers of beneficiaries that frequent the commercial office seeking services.
Alex Felix Majeme, the Nakasongola District Chief Administrative Officer explains that the high numbers of beneficiaries converging at the offices seeking approvals for withdrawal of funds poses a risk and may encourage the spread of the virus.
According to Majeme’s letter addressed to the district principal commercial officer, the programme has been suspended for 14 days effective Wednesday 23rd June.
Majeme has ordered the principal commercial officer to ensure the resolution is adhered to and communicates to affected beneficiaries.
But the suspension has however not gone well with emyooga group leaders in the district.
James Kato, the Chairperson of Nakasongola Constituency Carpenters’ Savings and Credit Co-operative -SACCO says by the time the was directive issued, they had already processed files for loan applicants and were waiting for approval from the commercial officer to withdraw money for lending.
Kato says the applicants may need to wait longer due to the closure of the focal office.
Samuel Kaweesi, the chairperson of Nakasongola constituency journalists SACCO say that some loan applicants wanted to access funds to start ventures dealing in food supply and be able to sell it in the lockdown.
Kaweesi adds that they are now stuck with no money for lending and some members are struggling to live after their jobs were closed over lockdown.
Meanwhile, CAO Majeme has also announced that the district offices will be closed on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th June to allow fumigation of all the premises against COVID-19.
The selected staff shall return to work on Wednesday 30th June but with evidence of having been tested for COVID-19.
Only 18 staff were selected to stay at work at the district headquarters following the presidential directive that only 10% are maintained to decongest offices and combat the spread of the disease.
The selected staff are Chief Administrative Officer, departmental heads and a few assistants.
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