By Moses Andama
www.mknewslik.com
In Masindi—
The State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Tom Aza Alerah, has given all Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCOs in Masindi District 30 days to ensure that every member has selected an income-generating enterprise.
Aza issued the directive on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a sensitisation and awareness meeting for stakeholders and SACCO leaders held at the Masindi District Chamber.
The minister said every PDM SACCO member should have an identified enterprise to support the government’s objective of improving household incomes through income-generating activities.
“Within the next 30 days, every PDM SACCO in Masindi must achieve 100 per cent enterprise selection. All members must have an enterprise, and SACCO leaders must start recovering the money from those who received it in 2023,” Aza said.
He urged SACCO leaders to prioritise accountability and ensure that the programme benefits its intended recipients rather than their relatives, friends or other individuals who may not meet the selection criteria.
Aza also criticised leaders who allegedly give beneficiaries less than the Shs1 million allocated to each household, warning that such practices undermine the programme’s objectives.
He called on district and political leaders to strengthen supervision of PDM activities and ensure that commercial officers have the necessary transport and fuel to monitor implementation at parish level.
The minister revealed that he had directed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to release quarterly operational funds to district commercial officers to support their field activities.
He also instructed the chief administrative officer (CAO) and district commercial officer to ensure that three key records are available every month: lists of beneficiaries displayed on parish noticeboards, SACCO loan recovery rates, and lists of dormant SACCOs.
Aza warned that SACCOs that fail to hold annual general meetings risk deregistration, emphasising that the responsible authorities should enforce the requirements governing their operations.
He further called on SACCO leaders to begin recovering funds from previous beneficiaries to ensure that the money can continue supporting other eligible members.
Minister Urges Leaders to Embrace Accountability
Aza urged PDM SACCO leaders to manage public funds transparently, saying the programme’s success depends on their commitment to accountability and proper financial management.
He also encouraged Ugandans not to look down on any honest work that provides an income, citing his own plans for life after public service.
The minister said he had a small plot of land in Arua District where he intended to establish a car-washing business after retiring from the ministry.
He said the plan was intended to help him earn a living after leaving government service.
Aza urged SACCO members and other Ugandans to appreciate different income-generating activities, regardless of their size, as long as they provide a legitimate source of income
