Bugembe Cathedral turned into a hub of innovation and economic empowerment as Emyooga Saccos from seven districts in the Busoga sub-region exhibited the remarkable results of government-backed initiatives boosting household incomes.
Exhibitors from Iganga, Buyende, Jinja City, Jinja Rural, Mayuge, Kamuli, and Bugweri showcased a diverse array of products, including high-end furniture, welding works, processed foods, crafts, and tailored attire, illustrating how small enterprises have grown with Emyooga support.
Bishop-Elect Rev Canon Grace Lubaale highlighted the church’s role in improving livelihoods and emphasized the strategic partnership with the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) as a key driver of economic empowerment for Christian communities.
“We are developing a partnership with the Microfinance Support Centre, a government initiative that provides affordable loans through Saccos. This enables people to improve their livelihoods and break free from poverty,” he said. “As a church, we aim to empower Christians economically. When Christians are financially stable, ministry becomes stronger.”
Rev Lubaale also called on the government to extend similar support to clergy Saccos.
“We urge the government to consider the church, providing between 200 million and a billion shillings to economically empower the clergy, so we can, in turn, support others,” he said.
Among the exhibitors, the Buzaya County Carpenters Emyooga Sacco highlighted how seed capital has transformed their work.
“We used to make ordinary chairs, but with seed capital, we now produce modern furniture and our sales have increased. We now employ 20 workers and gifted the Bishop-Elect a set of sofa chairs,” a member said.
For youth in Kagoma South, the programme has created new opportunities. Swaliki Waiswa of the Journalists Emyooga Sacco shared how charcoal briquette production has revitalized livelihoods.
“After school, most of us had no jobs, but Emyooga enabled us to start making environmentally friendly charcoal briquettes. We now employ 100 people and support 25 children with education,” he said.
Martin Isabirye, MSC Zonal Manager, highlighted the programme’s impact across the region.
“In Busoga, we formed 576 Emyooga circles that received Shs 17.92 billion in initial seed capital and an additional Shs 7.16 billion. The programme has improved saving culture, cooperation, enterprise growth, and household incomes,” he said.
Jinja City RCC Richard Gulume Balyainho praised the progress while stressing responsible borrowing.
“The money must be used productively. Beneficiaries who fail to repay must be held accountable. The church’s grassroots structure is invaluable in reaching the most vulnerable and fighting poverty in our communities,” he said.
The Bugembe exhibition underscored a critical message: poverty eradication requires collective effort. With moral guidance from the church and capital support from the state, Emyooga has demonstrated its potential to transform households across Busoga.
