Rukungiri Municipality Disburses UGX 60 Million to Support Women, Elderly, and Persons with Disabilities.
Rukungiri: Rukungiri Municipality has officially disbursed over 60 million Ugandan shillings to newly funded community groups through the Community-Based Services Department.
The event took place on May 30, at the Rukungiri Municipal Council Hall, where the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) launched the funding initiative.
According to the Principal Community Development Officer (PCDO) for Rukungiri Municipality Johnbosco Twesigomwe, a total of UGX 60,326,700 was allocated to nine groups under three key government programs. Four groups under the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) received UGX 33,400,000 to support women’s economic empowerment. Two groups under the Special Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP) were given UGX 6,926,700 to improve the livelihoods of the elderly. Three groups under the Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities (PWDS) received UGX 20,000,000 to enhance opportunities for people living with disabilities.
Twesigomwe urged the beneficiary groups to use the funds wisely and remain focused on implementing their planned projects. He also emphasized the importance of repaying UWEP funds to allow other groups to benefit in the future.
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The Assistant RDC for Rukungiri District, Karen Kagisha, warned against diverting the funds from their intended purpose, stressing that such actions could undermine the benefits of the program.
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Deputy Mayor Bernard Turyahabwe called for transparency and collective efforts among the beneficiaries to ensure meaningful results. He also encouraged them to involve their family members by informing them about the progress of their projects.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support, saying the funds would bring positive changes to their lives. Barham Salongo, a person with a disability from Rwakabengo in Southern Division, appreciated the government’s effort and said people with disabilities often feel marginalized. Evalyne Nakukunda from the Butimba Tailoring Project and elderly beneficiary Sam Patrick Mugarura from Rwagana said the funds would help them overcome challenges such as lack of capital and limited resources. They expressed hope that the support would enable them to develop their homes and improve their livelihoods.
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