By Spy Uganda
Two officials of Emyooga Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) have been arraigned before the Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s Court over allegations of stealing and mismanaging more than Shs100 million intended to benefit members of the government’s Emyooga wealth creation programme.
The suspects, Fred Magombe, Chairperson of the Veterans Emyooga SACCO, and Ecrus Zziwa Moses, Secretary of the Welders Emyooga SACCO, were on Wednesday charged with theft following investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working jointly with Entebbe Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The court remanded the duo until July 27, 2026, as investigations into the matter continue.
According to investigators, the two are accused of misappropriating more than Shs100 million that had been disbursed to support members of Emyooga SACCOs in Entebbe Municipality. The funds were intended to provide affordable financing to organized enterprise groups under the government’s flagship wealth and job creation initiative.
Preliminary investigations indicate that between 2020 and 2025, the accused, together with other suspects who are still at large, allegedly diverted and mismanaged funds meant for several Emyooga SACCOs, including the Veterans, Welders, Tailors and Boda Boda SACCOs.
Authorities say the alleged diversion of the funds denied intended beneficiaries access to government financing designed to boost small businesses, create jobs and improve household incomes.
The arrests follow a directive from President Yoweri Museveni ordering the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the alleged mismanagement of more than Shs1 billion that had been disbursed to Emyooga SACCOs in Entebbe Municipality under the Emyooga Programme.
The programme was established by the government to provide seed capital to organized groups engaged in skilled trades and income-generating enterprises, with the aim of promoting financial inclusion and fighting household poverty.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit said investigations are ongoing and warned that more arrests are expected as detectives widen the probe. Authorities added that efforts are also underway, in collaboration with Entebbe Police, to trace and recover the allegedly misappropriated funds.
