Men urged to join SACCOs as women dominate Adjumani town council SACCO membership

Leaders in Adjumani district have called on men to actively join savings and credit cooperative organizations following revelations that women overwhelmingly dominate membership and borrowing at Adjumani Town Council SACCO.

The calls were made during the 17th Annual General Meeting of Adjumani Town Council SACCO, where leaders praised women for embracing financial empowerment and using SACCO services to improve household, livelihoods and community development.

According to the Board Chairman of the SACCO, Mangapi Lawrence, women have become the backbone of the institution, both in membership and loan uptake. He revealed that out of the money disbursed under the Awara financing initiative; women took the largest share of the loans compared to men.

“868 million was given to Awara. The number of people who borrowed this money are 1,512. Classification of the loan borrowers, male 56, female 1,456 which means women have benefited more than the men and even generally women are more than the men as far as membership is concerned.”

The statistics sparked discussions among leaders and members during the meeting, with many expressing concerns that men are lagging behind in participating in SACCO activities despite the opportunities available for economic empowerment.

Adjumani Town Council SACCO General Manager Maku Patrick clarified that the SACCO does not discriminate against men, noting that all groups were given equal opportunities to benefit from the institution’s programs and financial products.

“A number of women benefit more than men. But it’s not because the men are vulnerable. The men are okay. Women have been marginalised. But this time we said, ‘No, we branded all the market vendors, including men.’

There was no selection that management would say, ‘You’re a man, you don’t benefit. It’s not there’ and we need to encourage men to come and join the Sacco and also have that capacity building.”

Patrick explained that the strong participation of women reflects their willingness to organise themselves, save consistently, and take advantage of financial opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

He encouraged men to change their attitudes toward SACCOs and embrace cooperative savings as a tool for economic growth and family stability.

The meeting also heard testimonies about the positive transformation SACCOs have brought to the lives of many residents in Adjumani Town Council.

Osule Moses, the LC1 chairman, said the SACCO has greatly improved the welfare and appearance of many families over the years, describing the institution as a symbol of transformation in the community.

“Adjumani Town council SACCO has lived to the fullest. Now this is the 17th AGM. When you look at the faces of our own people, almost all the faces have changed from grass to grace. When you look at the faces of our own mothers and sisters and young men around, they look beautiful and handsome people.”

He urged men to stop staying away from SACCOs and instead become active members so they can improve the living standards of their families and contribute to reducing social problems in the community.

“So, please, men let’s also join the Sacco so that we improve living standard of our families, we can stop corruption and even theft in our society.”

Resident District Commissioner Toko Swaib also applauded women for taking the lead in growing the SACCO, saying women are often the driving force behind successful community projects.

“I’ve been told most of the people who have shares here are women, the men are not there. I have known many places if you want any project to succeed bring the women on board. So, when the women are involved, that project will continue to grow to a bigger level.”

However, the RDC expressed concern about some men who continue to claim leadership roles in families without taking full responsibility in supporting household development.

“My only worry with the men now is they still pretend to be the leaders of the family without taking much responsibility. That’s my biggest worry.”

He further warned against men exploiting or intimidating women because of the financial gains they have acquired through SACCO activities, assuring women that local leaders would stand with them if such cases arise.

Also read: From 139 to 20,199 members: Adjumani town council SACCO approves shs 3.9b after remarkable growth

“The possibility of this man now beginning to use their influence as man to tease you women but I want to assure you if any man is trying to tease you over your money, please come us. Let them take their responsibilities never use the money you got from the SACCO to buy meat, eggs for these men to eat.”

The discussions during the AGM highlighted the growing role of women in driving household and community economic development through savings and credit schemes.