The Special Presidential Assistant in charge of Communications at State House, Ian Jeremiah Gumisiriza, has urged market vendors at Kayunga Daily Market in Wakiso Town Council to fully embrace government wealth creation programs as a pathway to improving livelihoods and creating employment opportunities.
Speaking on Wednesday, Gumisiriza encouraged vendors to effectively utilize initiatives such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and government skilling hubs through their Kayunga Daily Market Vendors Cooperative Savings and Credit Society (SACCO).
He said the cooperative is well positioned to access affordable loans that can help members expand their businesses and contribute to local economic growth.
“When the President supports you with money through the SACCO and you already have one stall, you can borrow and open another,” Gumisiriza said. “You may not manage both alone, so you employ someone else. That is how jobs are created.”
He further cited success stories from across the country, noting that many Ugandans who once had no jobs have benefited from free government skilling hubs, acquired practical skills, started businesses, and are now employing others.
Gumisiriza made the remarks while delivering Shs10 million pledged by President Yoweri Museveni in 2015 during a stopover at the market en route to Destiny’s Bridge Gombe Primary School.
At the time, the President promised the vendors’ SACCO a seed fund after engaging them on challenges affecting their businesses.
He also urged vendors to take advantage of the peace and security brought by the current government, saying it has created a stable environment for business growth.
“In the past, many Ugandans lived in fear of war and instability, building temporary homes because they expected to flee at any time. President Museveni prioritized peace so that Ugandans can work freely without fear for their lives or businesses,” Gumisiriza said.
Gumisiriza thanked the vendors and the SACCO leadership for their patience and resilience, noting that the cooperative had struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since recovered. He emphasized that the funds were not a bribe, but a fulfillment of the President’s responsibility to support organized groups.
“The SACCO faced serious challenges during COVID-19 and nearly collapsed. After assessment, we found it back on track and ready to use the money. We informed the President, and he honored his pledge,” he said.
He also encouraged vendors to freely display the national flag, saying it should not be politicized but embraced as a symbol of unity and patriotism for all Ugandans.
Wakiso Town Council Mayor Fredson Mukalazi thanked President Museveni for fulfilling the pledge and advised vendors to use the funds responsibly to grow their small-scale businesses through low-interest loans.
SACCO Treasurer Hamidah Nabunya also expressed gratitude but appealed for additional support, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had negatively affected businesses and that SACCO membership has grown significantly since 2015.
NRM Vice Chairperson for Wakiso Town Council, Paddy Mutume, praised government wealth creation programs and revealed that the area has secured two slots under the Parish Development Model.
The event was attended by local NRM leaders and candidates seeking to represent Wakiso Town Council at the district level in the upcoming term.
