By Mike Rwothomio 

The Okoro Constituency Emyooga Fish Farmers SACCO in Zombo District anticipates generating over 100 million Ugandan shillings annually from its aquaculture and apiary projects in Paidha Sub-County.

Formed in 2021, the group, comprising members from Okoro County, has achieved an impressive loan recovery rate of 85% as of March 2025.

During the SACCO’s 2023/2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently in Paidha Town Council, General Secretary Godfred Onencan presented the group’s financial outlook.

He projected annual earnings of approximately 70 million shillings from the aquaculture project and 60 million shillings from the apiary initiative.

Some of the harvested fish species from the group's pound in Orangu village, Amei Parish, Paidha Sub-County, Zombo District.

Last week, SACCO leaders guided a team from the Zombo District Security Committee, led by Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Festus Ayikobua, on an inspection of the projects in Amei Parish, Paidha Sub-County.

The Okoro Constituency Fish Farmers SACCO stands out as one of the most dynamic of the 18 Emyooga SACCOs in Zombo since the program’s inception.

Despite this progress, the SACCO faces significant challenges, including limited financial resources, high operational costs, and a lack of investment opportunities.

 Monica Akech, the SACCO’s loan officer, appealed for an increase in funding to support their thriving operations.

 The group's fish pond in Orangu village, Amei Parish, Paidha Sub-County, Zombo District.

“Our SACCO is performing well—from loan recovery to our apiary and aquaculture projects. We’re now requesting the commercial department to provide more funds, as we have many projects in the pipeline,” Akech said.

Emyooga’s Role and Challenges

Over the years, the Emyooga initiative has been instrumental in empowering individuals and communities by promoting financial inclusion, savings, and investment. However, SACCOs often encounter obstacles that hinder their growth.

For the Okoro Fish Farmers SACCO, poor record-keeping and inconsistent savings by the leadership remain major hurdles.

Emyooga savings groups enable members to pool their resources, access loans, and receive additional government funding.

However, Susan Canuwok, Zombo’s Assistant Commercial Officer, emphasized that many SACCOs struggle to secure extra funds due to inadequate savings records and unclear bank statements.

 She advised the group to avoid keeping cash with grassroots leaders and instead deposit it in a bank for safety and transparency.

 “We can only disburse funds when you present clear bank statements. Continue with your regular savings so the SACCO can access more funding already available in the bank,” Canuwok explained.

SACCOs have become a vital driver of economic growth at the grassroots level across Uganda, fostering financial independence and development.

Calls for Improvement

RDC Festus Ayikobua praised the Okoro Constituency Emyooga Fish Farmers SACCO for its achievements, urging them to enhance their loan recovery rate and improve bookkeeping to unlock additional funding.

 “As your RDC, I will support groups that save and maintain clear records. If my commercial officer approves you, I can sign your papers, and you’ll get your money immediately,” Ayikobua assured.

Through Emyooga, a presidential initiative launched in 2019, the government aims to transform 68% of Ugandan homesteads from subsistence to market-oriented production. The program seeks to create jobs and boost household incomes, offering savings groups as an alternative for those unlikely to access traditional financial institutions due to a lack of savings culture or required documentation.