By Teso Vibez Reporter
 

In a strategic move aimed at deepening grassroots economic empowerment, Members of Parliament under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party have extended UGX 19 million in financial support to 91 village savings groups in Agama Ward, Soroti City West Division.

The funds were officially handed over at a well-attended community event held on Sunday ,drawing hundreds of residents, local leaders, and FDC party officials. The event was graced by FDC Party President Hon. Patrick Amuriat Oboi and Secretary General Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, who praised the initiative as a transformative step towards sustainable community development.

Of the UGX 19 million, Soroti City West MP Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu and Soroti City Woman MP Hon. Joan Alobo Achom jointly contributed UGX 15 million. The FDC national leadership supplemented this effort with an additional UGX 4 million.

While addressing beneficiaries, Hon. Ebwalu emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative, stating that economic empowerment through savings groups is essential for poverty reduction and household development.

 “We have supported over 500 savings groups across Soroti City,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure every family has the capacity to build financial independence through collective savings and disciplined financial practices.”

Hon. Joan Alobo Achom reiterated the significance of savings groups, particularly for women and youth, as tools for building resilience and economic self-reliance.
“Empowering families through savings is the foundation of strong communities,” she said. “When women are economically empowered, entire households benefit. That’s why we are intentional in reaching out to the most vulnerable groups.”

FDC Party President Hon. Patrick Amuriat Oboi lauded the MPs for their unwavering focus on grassroots impact.

 “This is what responsible leadership looks like—serving the people by investing in their ability to sustain themselves,” Amuriat noted. “These savings groups are not just financial vehicles; they are platforms for unity, innovation, and transformation.”
Residents of Agama Ward expressed overwhelming gratitude for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will enhance their savings culture, support small-scale enterprise development, and reduce financial vulnerability.

The initiative is part of a broader campaign by Soroti City’s FDC leadership to foster economic empowerment, especially among women, youth, and low-income households. With over 500 savings groups reportedly benefiting from similar interventions citywide, the MPs pledged to continue expanding support for grassroots financial networks.

As the event concluded, beneficiaries were encouraged to use the funds responsibly and to uphold principles of transparency, accountability, and collective progress within their savings groups.