By Mulengera Reporters
A group of 200 Ugandans who returned from South Africa are receiving government financial support and entrepreneurship training to help them rebuild their livelihoods, establish businesses and regain financial independence.
The returnees recently completed a two-day financial literacy and business formation workshop organised at Enterprise Uganda offices in Butabika, with support from Equity Bank Uganda. The training, which concluded on Thursday, October 15, focused on financial management, business planning and identifying viable income-generating opportunities.
The programme comes as the government commits Shs2 billion to the returnees’ savings and credit cooperative organisation (SACCO), with the funds intended to help members access financing to start businesses and create economic opportunities.
Ambassador Dickson Ogwang Okul, who represented the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said President Yoweri Museveni was supporting the returnees’ SACCO with the Shs2 billion commitment.
“This support is an important step towards helping our people rebuild their livelihoods. We want returnees to invest in productive businesses, restore their financial independence and create opportunities for fellow Ugandans who may return in the future,” Okul said.
He added that the government would support returnees seeking documentation needed to recover equipment left in South Africa and engage the South African government over possible compensation for assets they left behind.
However, beyond financial assistance, officials and trainers said the returnees would need practical business skills, discipline and confidence to turn the available support into sustainable enterprises.
Charles Ocici, Executive Director of Enterprise Uganda, said successful reintegration required more than money, particularly for people returning home after losing assets they had accumulated over several years.
“What is the mindset of a returnee who comes back thinking, ‘I have lost everything I worked for, and I am home with nothing’? Recovery requires more than money. They must recognise that they still have skills, experience and the ability to build again,” Ocici said.
He said entrepreneurship training could help participants identify viable business opportunities, manage their finances and make informed investment decisions as they work to rebuild their economic lives.
Equity Bank Uganda also emphasised the importance of financial knowledge and responsible money management in helping the returnees establish sustainable businesses.
Bob Paul Lusembo, Head of Micro Segments at Equity Bank Uganda, who represented Managing Director Gift Shoko, encouraged participants to start with the resources available to them and grow their businesses gradually.
“There is no dignity in poverty. We want our returnees to regain their confidence, start small and build businesses that support their families,” Lusembo said.
He highlighted saving, financial discipline and business planning as essential foundations for managing enterprises and building long-term financial stability.
For the participants, the training marked an initial step towards rebuilding their economic lives after returning from South Africa. The challenge now is to translate the knowledge gained into viable businesses while securing access to financing and markets.
Mathias Baguma, chairman of the returnees, said the workshop had equipped participants with practical knowledge and ideas on how to restart their livelihoods.
“The training has equipped us not only with knowledge but also opened avenues on where we are to restart and how,” Baguma said.
The government’s Shs2 billion commitment, combined with entrepreneurship training and Equity Bank Uganda’s support, is expected to provide a foundation for the returnees as they seek to establish businesses, support their families and rebuild their livelihoods.
The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on how effectively the returnees can apply the skills acquired, access the available financing and develop businesses capable of generating sustainable incomes.
