By: Melanie Aanyu

The government through the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives is set to recall unspent Emyooga funds in Teso Sub-region.

Mr Martin Akorikin, the Emyooga regional coordinator, said that there are Emyooga funds on several bank accounts, which have not been utilised.

He said the targeted beneficiaries have deliberately refused to utilise the money.

Emyooga is a presidential initiative on wealth and job creation that was rolled out in 2019.

The programme was rolled out as a grant to 18 Saccos in every constituency in the categories of the mechanics, carpenters, tailors, restaurant operators, boda boda riders, saloon operators, musicians, youth leaders and journalists, among others.

A total of Shs30m was given to each Sacco as seed capital. Each constituency received Shs560m through the Micro Finance Support Centre.

The Soroti Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Mr Peter Pex Paak, said their attempts to mobilise the mechanics to utilise the money have been futile.