By Ben Musanje
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, and CBS FM Managing Director Michael Kawooya Mwebe have shed light on what they described as Dr. Aisha Ruth Kasolo Biyinzika’s quiet but impactful contribution to the development of the Buganda Kingdom through her stewardship of key government programmes.
Speaking during the launch of the disbursement of the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project funds through Kyadondo CBS POWESA SACCO to Ssaza Butambala at Kibibi Sub-county Headquarters Playground in Butambala District on Wednesday, the two leaders praised Dr. Kasolo for ensuring that Buganda continues to benefit from national development initiatives.
Dr. Kasolo is the National Coordinator of the multi-billion-shilling GROW Project, a Government of Uganda initiative funded by the World Bank to expand access to affordable financing and business support services for women entrepreneurs.
Mayiga said he had followed Dr. Kasolo’s work for many years and had consistently observed her commitment to using every public office entrusted to her to promote the welfare of Buganda’s people. He noted that despite serving in the Central Government, she has always ensured that whenever major government programmes are implemented, Buganda secures its fair share of the opportunities.
The Katikkiro described Dr. Kasolo, whom he referred to as Munna Kyaggwe, as a public servant who has remained committed to improving the livelihoods of Kabaka’s subjects by connecting them to government empowerment programmes rather than limiting herself to administrative duties.
He added that Buganda’s development philosophy has always focused on empowering people to create wealth instead of depending on handouts. According to Mayiga, the Kabaka’s initiatives are designed to equip his subjects with opportunities to fight poverty through hard work, innovation and enterprise.
Using Butambala as an example, Mayiga urged residents to embrace both faith and hard work, observing that prayer alone cannot transform livelihoods without productive economic activity. He particularly encouraged women to take advantage of the GROW Project by borrowing amounts they can comfortably invest and repay so that other beneficiaries can also access the revolving fund.
The Katikkiro also advised beneficiaries to save through formal financial institutions rather than keeping money in pots at home, saying SACCOs and banks provide a safer avenue for protecting and growing personal savings.
Earlier, Kyadondo CBS POWESA SACCO Chairperson and CBS FM Managing Director Michael Kawooya Mwebe offered further insight into Dr. Kasolo’s behind-the-scenes contribution to the project.
Mwebe revealed that Dr. Kasolo served as a key technical advisor during the process that enabled Kyadondo CBS POWESA SACCO to qualify for funding under the GROW Project. He said her expertise and commitment ensured the SACCO secured an initial UGX 5 billion, which is now being disbursed to eligible members, with additional funding expected in subsequent phases.
According to Mwebe, Dr. Kasolo has consistently demonstrated her passion for the development of Buganda by ensuring that whenever the Central Government rolls out national development programmes, the Kingdom is well positioned to benefit.
In her remarks, Dr. Kasolo reaffirmed her commitment to serving both the Government of Uganda and the Buganda Kingdom, saying public service should be guided by the desire to transform people’s lives regardless of the institution one serves.
She said her career has been inspired by the late Jehoash Mayanja Nkangi, whose ability to serve successive governments while remaining loyal to Buganda demonstrated that dedication to national service and commitment to the Kingdom can go hand in hand.
Dr. Kasolo pledged to continue using her position to ensure that development opportunities, particularly those aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs, reach communities across Buganda and the rest of the country.
The GROW Project is a Government of Uganda programme funded by the World Bank that seeks to increase access to affordable financing and business development services for women-owned enterprises, enabling them to expand their businesses, create jobs and improve household incomes. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
