As Ugandans mark 63 years of independence and 39 years of economic transformation under President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership, reflections on government-led programmes that have shaped livelihoods dominate the celebrations.
Over the decades, Uganda has witnessed several initiatives designed to tackle poverty, create jobs, and empower ordinary citizens to shift from subsistence living to market-oriented production.
Among these, the Presidential Initiative on Jobs and Wealth Creation (Emyooga Programme) stands out as a flagship intervention that has directly touched households across the country. Emyooga was launched with the goal of transforming 68 percent of Ugandan homesteads still trapped in subsistence farming into commercially oriented enterprises.
The programme specifically targets 18 specialized clusters of Ugandans engaged in diverse trades and small businesses, including Boda Boda riders, taxi operators, market vendors, women entrepreneurs, saloon operators, tailors, produce dealers, welders, carpenters, restaurant owners, mechanics, fishermen, performing artists, local leaders, veterans, journalists, youth leaders, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Through the Emyooga Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs), the government channels seed capital that members can borrow at low interest rates, reinvest in their businesses, and pay back while creating a revolving fund for future borrowers. This model has proved effective in mobilizing savings, building a credit culture, and enabling access to affordable financing — something many Ugandans previously lacked.
In Kamwokya, Kampala, Godfrey Olo, the Secretary of Kamwokya Ward Boda Boda Emyooga SACCO, recalls the hardship he faced before joining the programme.
“Before Emyooga, I was using an old motorcycle that constantly broke down. Most of my income went into repairs, leaving me with barely anything to take care of my family,” he says.
When his SACCO received Sh30 million in seed capital, later topped up with Sh20 million after demonstrating good savings culture, Olo was among the first beneficiaries. He borrowed money, purchased new motorcycles, and even started a small business for his wife.
“Today, my wife is self-reliant and no longer depends on me for every little need. Our children have access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and education. I am grateful to the government and the president for this opportunity,” he adds.
For Barbra Nassaka, a fruit vendor in Kampala, Emyooga has been nothing short of life-changing. A single mother, she struggled to provide food and rent for her children before joining the programme.
Through her SACCO, she was able to access affordable loans that expanded her fruit vending business.
“I have managed to save enough to buy a plot of land in Mpigi. I am now working towards building a permanent house and becoming a landlady. My dream is to open a retail shop and move away from street vending,” she shares with optimism.
Nassaka believes that the programme has secured her children’s future. “Before Emyooga, I had no hope. Now I see a clear path where my hard work can bring prosperity,” she says.
In Kitagwenda District, Edith Muhumuza testifies that her small-scale wine-making project has grown into a thriving enterprise thanks to Emyooga.
“I used to produce wine in small quantities with a limited market because I couldn’t afford proper packaging and branding. After borrowing Sh300,000 from our Women Entrepreneurs SACCO, I invested in packaging, and the business took off,” she recalls.
Today, Muhumuza sells more than 21 jerrycans of wine every week, generating profits of about Sh1.7 million monthly. She has employed workers in her factory and acquired two vehicles, one for the business and another for her personal use, and built a permanent home for her family.
“I encourage all Ugandans, especially women, to embrace government programmes like Emyooga. For me, it has been a game changer,” she says with a smile.
Coffee Farmer Adds Value, Reaps Bigger Profits
57-year-old Gertrude Komugisha, a single mother of four, speaks with pride about how Emyooga gave her a fresh start in coffee farming.
“Before, I harvested a few kilograms and sold them raw at low prices. Through the programme, I borrowed money, started drying my coffee, and even bought from other farmers to increase stock. Today, I process and sell value-added coffee,” she explains.
Her monthly profits now average Sh800,000, a significant boost that allows her to comfortably provide for her family while also saving for the future.
From Backyard Wine Maker to Certified Factory Owner
Another inspiring story comes from Ritah Arinaitwe, whose wine-making project in Western Uganda has grown from a small backyard operation into a certified factory.
“With support from Emyooga, I borrowed money to improve packaging and work on Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) certification. Before, I sold wine only in jerrycans for small functions. Now, I supply supermarkets across the country,” she proudly says.
Her production capacity has expanded from just 500 liters to 10,000 liters.
“The sky is the limit. Emyooga opened doors I never imagined possible,” she says.
Empowering Persons with Disabilities
The programme has also deliberately included persons with disabilities. In Banda, Nakawa, Joyce Atim Odida, a craftswoman, narrates how her group benefited from a Sh3 loan.
“We make beads, earrings, bangles, and bracelets. With this funding, we were able to grow our business and take care of our children. We repaid the loan and are now reinvesting profits,” Atim says.
She urges fellow women, especially those with disabilities, to join Emyooga SACCOs. “It is a lifeline for many of us who had no access to bank loans due to a lack of collateral.”
In Mbarara City, Racheal Natukunda, a 26-year-old member of the Taxi Drivers Emyooga SACCO, borrowed Sh2m to start a mobile money business.
“Before joining, I was surviving on little savings of only Sh100,000. Today, I have a thriving business, and I am independent. I thank the president for thinking about young people like me,” she says, adding that she is now able to comfortably support herself.
According to Barbra Nahwera from Rukungiri Municipality, Emyooga has been instrumental in empowering women.
“For long, women lacked access to financing because banks demanded collateral we didn’t have. Through SACCOs, we now access cheap capital at low interest and engage in productive ventures,” she notes.
She adds that the programme has liberated women from being confined to domestic roles. “We are no longer just in the kitchen. We are running businesses, creating jobs, and supporting our families.”
The testimonies of Olo, Nassaka, Muhumuza, Komugisha, Arinaitwe, Atim, Natukunda, and Nahwera mirror thousands of other Ugandans who have benefited from the programme. From boda riders acquiring new motorcycles, to women entrepreneurs setting up factories, to young people venturing into mobile money businesses, Emyooga is transforming Uganda’s economic landscape.
The revolving loan model ensures sustainability, while the clustering of trades fosters collective growth. SACCOs not only provide financial services but also build unity, discipline, and trust among members.
As Uganda celebrates independence and decades of transformation, the Emyooga programme stands out as a practical example of government policy meeting grassroots needs. For thousands of ordinary Ugandans, it is not just about money; it is about dignity, self-reliance, and hope for a better tomorrow.
