More than 150 different savings groups and SACCOs from Kole North participated in a one-day training session organised by the area Member of Parliament, Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti.
Through MP Opio, the Uganda Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) trained all group leaders on how to sensitise their members and become ambassadors and trainees.
The leaders in attendance included chairpersons, treasurers, and secretaries.
Addressing the leaders on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Alito Primary School, Nabadda Mable, the Zonal Branch Manager covering the Lango and Acholi sub-regions encouraged leaders to embrace this kind of training.
She noted that it is very important for SACCOs and savings groups to learn how to access loans from banks of their choice in case they need financial support.
Mable added that the MSC offers each group access to funds ranging from shs5 million to shs50 million, while SACCOs and other cooperatives can access up to 100 million shillings without any security, requiring only three group leaders as guarantors.
Nabadda appreciated MP Acuti for collaborating with the MSC to help different groups benefit from accessing funds, noting that most leaders lack a push from the government in terms of funding.
Through their Member of Parliament, she said, they have trained over 600 group leaders across Kole North. She added that the minimum loan amount they give is shs5 million and the maximum is shs4 billion.
She stated that for a group to access their services, it must have been established for a period of one year and possess a certificate, a constitution, and a registration letter from either the sub-county or district level.
Speaking at the event, MP Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti told participants that he had brought this service near to them so they could access funds without any security.
“I want to reduce the number of people who always take loans from banks, where banks require them to first provide a land title, logbook for a motorcycle or vehicle. This is very bad because our people are losing their property at a low cost if someone fails to pay back the money,” he added.
MP Acuti pledged to concentrate on wealth creation for his people of Kole North in this new term. He urged group members to always leave some money in the pool at the end of the year.
He promised to support each group in Kole North, adding that next month, other sectors of groups will receive this kind of training.
The MP warned local council one chairpersons and group leaders to avoid demanding facilitation fees from members, stressing that this program is completely free of charge.
Grace Aceng, chairperson of the Obanga En Amio Women’s Savings Group, located in Abako A village, Ayala Parish, Alito sub-county, said the group started in 2024 and is purely concentrating on produce.
“We started with only 15 members, but currently we have over 60 members. In the past, under the Women’s Enterprise Fund, the government supported us with shs9 million. I must thank MP Acuti for collaborating with the MSC to bring this service closer to us,” she said.
George Okello from Apala Parish in Alito sub-county, also chairperson of the Mar En Teko Savings Group, told journalists that their group was established three years ago with over 15 members, but now they have a total of 74 members.
“This group has been helping both members and non-members because we lend money among interested persons. I know that when we get this money, we shall use it to boost the education of our children. Many children are not schooling because some of us parents are very poor,” he explained.
Financial management and financial products offered by the Uganda Microfinance Support Centre (UMS) were made participants aware of.
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