MBARARA MONEY BRAWL! SACCO Members Fight Over MP Mpaka’s Shs10M
By Amos Tayebwa
MBARARA
Drama erupted at St. Peter’s Church in Kakoba, Mbarara City South Division, after members of Old Kakoba Stakeholders’ SACCO Ltd were involved in a bitter scuffle over Shs10 million donated by area MP Mwine Mpaka.
The ugly scenes unfolded immediately after Mpaka handed over the Shs10 million to the SACCO secretary during the launch of the group, before the money could be receipted and banked.
According to sources at the function, trouble started when one of the members identified as Zainab allegedly grabbed the bundles of cash and put them in her handbag.
Zainab reportedly claimed that the SACCO owed her about Shs8 million for services and expenses she had incurred while organising the launch.
She allegedly told members that before the function, the SACCO did not have enough money to organise the launch, forcing her to obtain a bank loan in her personal capacity to facilitate the event.
She reportedly said she had used the borrowed money to pay service providers and other expenses, with an understanding that she would be refunded from money raised during the fundraising.
However, when Mpaka handed over the Shs10 million, Zainab allegedly grabbed the money before it could be receipted and banked, triggering a confrontation.
She reportedly attempted to leave the venue with the cash but was intercepted by angry members who demanded that she first explain the money before leaving.
The confrontation reportedly turned physical as members and Zainab’s group were forced to sit down and resolve the dispute.
Zainab eventually surrendered the money to the SACCO’s publicity secretary, Rogers.
She reportedly insisted that she had been in charge of the service providers during the function and had used her own money to pay them, arguing that she was therefore entitled to reimbursement.
Zainab also reportedly said she feared that once the money was deposited in the bank, she would not be refunded because she suspected some committee members could frustrate her claim.
Other SACCO members, however, accused her of attempting to use force to pay herself instead of following the proper accountability and reimbursement procedures.
The Shs10 million was eventually taken to the bank after the confrontation.
The committee reportedly agreed that Zainab would be paid after presenting proper accountability for the money she claims to have spent on the launch.
Sources further alleged that the activities and services provided during the function were worth less than Shs3 million, while the SACCO is still carrying debts because organisers had expected to raise substantial amounts of money through the fundraising.
Much of the money expected from the fundraising is reportedly still in pledges.
But another controversy has now emerged over the identity of the group itself.
Sources alleged that there is no registered SACCO known as Old Kakoba Stakeholders’ SACCO Ltd, claiming that the members are actually operating under an association known as Former Kakoba Stakeholders Association Nyakaizi, Kakoba, Mbarara.
The sources alleged that the group presented itself as a SACCO when seeking support from MP Mpaka and other leaders.
They further alleged that the move was aimed at attracting financial support from leaders and other funders, including Mbarara City Woman MP Charity Kibabaju Kamuhanda, who reportedly pledged Shs5 million, alongside other pledges from leaders.
Committee members include Rogers, a former Kakoba Division councillor and publicity secretary, Senex Agaba, Mustafa, who serves as an adviser, among others.
Ironically, Mpaka had warned the members against misuse of funds shortly before the drama erupted.
Speaking to journalists before the confrontation, Mpaka cautioned the members against misusing money given to them by leaders and the Government.
He also urged them to avoid divisions and conflicts within their SACCOs and advised them to elect leaders who are trustworthy, responsible and capable of providing proper accountability for members’ money.
The MP’s warning came just before the Shs10 million he had donated became the centre of a heated financial dispute at the launch.
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