Wazalendo SACCO Flags Off The Construction Of Fort Portal City Branch

In an effort to extend services closer to its members, Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (WSACCO) has flagged off the construction of a building that will house a cash-operating branch in Fort Portal City at plot 7 Balya Street.

The City Secretary for Works Mr Ndamira Joseph who represented the Central Division Mayor Mr Asaba Ruyonga at the groundbreaking ceremony congratulated Wazalendo SACCO upon the milestone registered. He noted that the branch when opened shall not only benefit members of WSACCO but also contribute to the development of the city.

He called upon the people of Fort Portal City to welcome Wazalendo SACCO to Fort Portal City so that other SACCOs can borrow a leaf from their success.  He pledged total support to Wazalendo SACCO and to ensure a good operating environment. “I have no doubt that this branch is bringing great benefits to the city because we know the discipline and commitment of the entire UPDF to the peace and development of our country,” said the representative of the Mayor.

The Operations and Training Officer Mountain Division Col GR Kyomuhendo who spoke on behalf of the Division Commander Maj Gen Dick Olum commended the UPDF leadership for establishing WSACCO which has transformed the lives of the forces and their families.

Col Kyomuhendo also appreciated Wazalendo leadership for continuously extending services nearer to the members. ” We are proud of you like any other parent would be proud to produce a child and see the child grow up healthy. This is a prime area and I believe our members will be relieved of the cost and lining for long hours in the commercial banks” He noted.

The Chief Executive Officer of Wazalendo SACCO Col Joseph Freddy Onata noted that upgrading of Muhooti Branch into a cash operating branch is strategically intended to bring WSACCO closer to the community and also to grow the SACCO through enhanced savings and loan disbursements. “We are building this branch outside the barracks in preparation for supervision by the Bank of Uganda in accordance with Microfinance Institutions Act 2016. The branch will also link WSACCO with the community as we prepare to open our services to the public soon. In addition, other SACCOs in the region will have easy access to our branch for purposes of benchmarking compared to when the branch is located inside the military barracks where there are a lot of protocols that must be completed before one can access the branch,” said the CEO.

Onata commended the level of cooperation that has been demonstrated by the city leadership and the technical teams. He pledged to continuously work to build a relationship with the city leadership and to ensure that all the city requirements for construction are respected and met.

The City Engineer Mr. Kaihura Herbert thanked Wazalendo SACCO leadership for choosing Fort Portal as the best place to construct a branch. “This branch when completed is going to take the City to another level in terms of development”, he observed.

The City Engineer promised to work closely with Wazalendo SACCO Engineers to ensure that building standards in the city are maintained and respected for the benefit of the city, Wazalendo SACCO and the people who will use the facilities.

In attendance were; the Head ICT Maj Arthur Kwezi who represented the Chairman of Wazalendo SACCO Construction Committee Mr William Atalyeba, the Manager of Corporate Communications Maj Charles Nzeyi and other invited guests and managers of Wazalendo SACCO.