Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs in charge of Veteran Affairs, Dr Huda Oleru Abason last week inspected veterans’ savings and credit cooperative organisations (SACCOs).

These SACCOs are benefiting from the Food and Feed Security Project supported by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

The inspection covered Kwania North Veterans, Apac District Veterans Commercial Agriculture, Kiryandongo Ukulima Cooperative Society and Masindi Kazini Widows and Orphans SACCO.

Minister Huda assessed the progress of veterans’ groups benefiting from government empowerment programmes and evaluated how the initiatives are contributing to household livelihoods and local economic activity.

“President Yoweri Museveni has consistently called for an immediate halt to the export of raw materials and encouraged local producers and investors to prioritise domestic processing and industrialisation to increase national revenues and farmers’ incomes,” she told the beneficiaries.

She added: “What these SACCOs have adopted is therefore timely and has created employment opportunities for the youth.”

During the engagements, members of Katika Empowerment Association and Kazini Community Care Initiative Uganda Ltd showcased products and equipment acquired through the initiatives, including maize flour and maize milling machines.

The investment in maize processing has enabled the groups to add value to their produce while creating opportunities for employment, particularly among young people.

The beneficiaries commended the Ministry for its support, skilling programmes and efforts to link them to markets for their maize products.

Team from the Directorate of Veteran Affairs, area authorities and reserve force commanders were part of the tour.