ENTEBBE — The Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded two officials of Emyooga Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) over allegations of stealing and mismanaging more than Shs100 million meant to benefit members of the government’s Emyooga wealth creation programme.
The accused, Fred Magombe, chairperson of the Veterans Emyooga SACCO, and Ecrus Zziwa Moses, secretary of the Welders Emyooga SACCO, appeared before court on Wednesday and were charged with theft following investigations conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in conjunction with Entebbe Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Court remanded the pair until July 27, 2026, as investigations continue.
According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly misappropriated more than Shs100 million that had been disbursed to Emyooga SACCOs in Entebbe Municipality to provide affordable credit to members engaged in various income-generating enterprises.
Investigators allege that between 2020 and 2025, the accused, together with other suspects who are still at large, diverted and mismanaged funds intended for several SACCOs, including the Veterans, Welders, Tailors and Boda Boda Emyooga SACCOs.
The prosecution contends that the alleged diversion of the funds denied intended beneficiaries access to government financing designed to support small businesses, create employment opportunities and improve household incomes.
The arrests stem from a directive issued by President Yoweri Museveni ordering the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate allegations of mismanagement involving more than Shs1 billion disbursed to Emyooga SACCOs in Entebbe Municipality under the government’s Emyooga programme.
Launched to promote financial inclusion and household wealth creation, the Emyooga programme provides seed capital to organised enterprise groups operating in various sectors of the economy.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit said investigations are ongoing and indicated that more arrests could follow as detectives widen the probe. Authorities also said efforts are underway to trace and recover the allegedly misappropriated funds.