NEWS

Rural Community Leaders in Uganda Empowered Through Financial Training in Uganda

Sixty-eight individuals, including Extension Agents (EAs) and farmer group leaders from Uganda’s Mubende, Kiboga, Otuke, and Kole districts, were in February 2024 empowered with the skills needed to optimize agribusiness investments and effectively manage group savings. The training, conducted by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), was based on the Community Savings and Investment in Agriculture (CSIA) model. The CSIA is a grassroots initiative designed to alleviate poverty by providing financial and social empowerment opportunities and investment avenues to economically marginalized individuals. It promotes a culture of saving and investment to address immediate financial needs while laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable economic development.

The training involved various tactics including brainstorming, group work, and visual aids like the CSIA Handbook and CSIA Manual, to give participants a deep understanding of key financial concepts and principles.

These sessions emphasized the importance of providing accessible, member-owned financial support tailored to immediate needs, as well as strategies for fostering and expanding investments. It is worth noting that SAA has been leveraging the CSIA approach since 2020, reinforcing its ongoing efforts to drive agricultural development.

During the February training, facilitated by Mr. Ande Okiror, the SAA Program Coordinator for Market Oriented Agriculture, participants identified challenges hindering their savings drive, such as limited income and rising living costs. Mr. Okiror provided practical solutions, including budgeting techniques and the establishment of emergency funds.

By the end of the training, the participants were prepared to serve as community resource persons on the CSIA methodology, equipped with action plans in place for collaboration with financial institutions to facilitate access to finance.

Further step-down training will be conducted by Commodity Association Traders/Trainers (CATs), Extension Workers, and Community-Based Facilitators, ensuring the sustainability and scalability of our efforts.

 

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