Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Spouses Desk convened a stakeholders’ workshop for the Presidential Support Fund (PSF) to review project performance, assess progress and share experiences and strategies for sustaining its achievements at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya.
The workshop brought together senior officers, project implementers, and beneficiaries to evaluate outcomes and strengthen future implementation efforts.
Launched in 2019 by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Presidential Support Fund was created to support Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) for spouses of UPDF personnel. The initiative aims to equip spouses with practical skills, promote self-reliance, improve household income, and strengthen confidence and social capital while fostering a culture of saving and access to microfinance.
Operationalised in 2020, the fund targets spouses of UPDF personnel who are not salaried staff or defence workers. It now operates in 32 units nationwide. From the initial UGX 1.9 billion disbursed to 27 units, the SACCO has, as of January 31, registered an additional UGX 210 million mobilised internally through profits and surplus remittances from member units.
Representing the Joint Staff Political Commissariat, the Director Civil-Military Cooperation, Brigadier General Michael Kibuye, commended the organisers for a successful workshop.
“Such workshops are important because they provide an opportunity for members to meet, interact, and share both success stories and challenges,” he said, noting that the meeting reviewed five years of project performance and assessed both benefits and challenges.
He commended Mrs Rebecca Mugume Kusaasira, Principal Social Development Officer at the UPDF Spouses Desk, for effectively managing the project and organising the workshop, noting that regular reviews enhance efficiency.
Deputy Joint Staff Political Commissariat Col Nelson Aheebwa paid tribute to the architects of the PSF project, expressing satisfaction with its growth from less than UGX 2 billion to over UGX 5 billion in five years.
“The project has integrated spouses of soldiers into the money economy, raising soldiers’ morale. Increased morale contributes to national stability,” he said, adding that ideological grounding and discipline have played a vital role in the project’s success. He noted that the Commissariat will continue nurturing the fund until it becomes fully self-sustaining.
Mrs Mugume applauded the success of the women’s revolving fund and expressed gratitude to the President for his vision in establishing the initiative.
“The programme aligns directly with the Ministry’s mandate to improve welfare by enhancing the lives of soldiers’ spouses through income generation and sustainable impact,” she said.
She noted that the PSF has strengthened women’s participation in income-generating activities, improved household incomes, enhanced access to credit, and promoted a savings culture. The revolving fund mechanism, she explained, ensures continuity, accountability, and equitable access, enabling more women to benefit over time while promoting family harmony.
Mrs Mugume commended unit commanders, Unit Implementation Committees, and Social Development Officers for ensuring transparency and effective fund management.
Beneficiaries are engaged in diverse activities, including cattle fattening, goat rearing, piggery, crop farming (maize, groundnuts, and sorghum), market vending, hairdressing, poultry keeping, and retail businesses.
Several success stories presented included: Komuhangi Mariam, who established a tailoring workshop in Bombo Barracks employing several women. Adiba Florence of Katabi Barracks, who expanded her snacks business, doubled her income to approximately UGX 600,000 per month, and Daphine Kobusinge of Jinja Cantonment progressed from selling homemade juice to operating a boutique offering cold drinks and secretarial services, increasing daily earnings from UGX 10,000 to UGX 40,000.
The Twezimbe Women’s Group from SFC Luttamaguzi Barracks in Entebbe-Kigungu operates a dairy project. After receiving loans of UGX 6 million in 2021 and UGX 10 million later, the group now owns 13 animals, including cows and bulls, and manages a revolving loan portfolio exceeding UGX 10 million. The group projects UGX 35 million in profits over the next five years.
Among those in attendance were Joint Staff Finance, Brig Gen Robert Mugabe; Deputy Director Defence Public Information, Col Henry Obbo, and other senior officers and staff.
