SOROTI — Members of Soroti City West Division SACCO have expressed dissatisfaction with the services of the Microfinance Support Center (MSC), citing bureaucracy, delays, and inefficiencies in accessing funds.
The concerns were raised during an annual general meeting held at the West Division headquarters, where members presented financial reports to the SACCO task force and division leaders.
Several members complained of a complicated application process, especially when seeking additional funding. They said repeated documentation requirements and poor follow-up have made it difficult to access financial support.
“Some of us submit documents, but they later disappear, and we are asked to start the process again,” one member said, highlighting frustrations among beneficiaries.
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner, James Small Chemutai, who attended the meeting, expressed concern over the complaints and questioned MSC officials on the delays. He also criticized the slow recovery and performance of funds under the Emyooga program.
“The poor performance of these SACCOs is worrying. If the President came today, I would have a hard time explaining this situation,” Chemutai said.
He tasked the City Commercial Officer and MSC officials to compile a comprehensive report to identify gaps and hold accountable those responsible for mismanagement.
However, City Commercial Officer George Tukei noted that not all groups have underperformed, pointing out that some SACCOs have successfully utilized the funds and achieved their intended goals.
In response, MSC representative George Okiria explained that part of the challenge stems from expired certificates among SACCO groups, which require renewal before accessing further funding.
He also revealed that some groups that previously received additional funds have since become inactive, contributing to the delays and stricter procedures.
The meeting highlighted growing tensions between SACCO members and implementing agencies, with calls for improved efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the management of government-backed financial programs.
Leaders urged both MSC and SACCO members to work together to address the challenges and ensure that initiatives like Emyooga effectively support income generation and economic empowerment at the community level.
