PADER, Uganda – Businesses, especially women in Pader district, are warming up in great numbers and ready to benefit massively from the Grow project after a sensitization meeting held at Atanga Town Council organized by Aruu North MP, Hon. Santa Okot.
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, MP Santa Okot of Aruu North constituency, sensitized over 900 women who turned up for the meeting, mainly from Acholibur, Angagura, Laguti sub-county, Atanga Town Council, and Ajan sub-county, to get ready and benefit from the Grow project.
Hon. Santa was accompanied by the Woman MP of Pader district, Hon. Aciro Paska Menya, RDC Milton Odongo, Atanga sub-county LC3, LCV Councilors, and officials from the Grow project head office.
The launch of the Grow project in Pader district was seen as a very good initiative implemented by Hon. Santa Okot to allow women in business to access the money economy and financially grow as per the socio-economic transformation.
While reacting to the guidelines issued as per the project, Lawino Jackline of Angagura sub-county wanted to know what would happen to the over 4 million loan if a member passes away.
Hon. Lawoko Felix, a councilor representing Atanga in the district council of Pader, urged members not to worry about the conditions attached for obtaining the Grow project loan but to inquire more from the selected banks like Centenary Bank.
Lakomekech Florence of Ajan sub-county requested officials from the ministry concerned to expedite the process of disbursement so that women can benefit from the loan under the Grow project.
A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, from Atanga town council, wondered if she could borrow the money without a national ID.
Abalo Concy of Acholibur town council asked about the number of people needed in a group if they are applying for the loan.
Aber Jacky of Atanga town council inquired about widows and single mothers who may not have mortgage for the loan.
However, Mr. Ocen Jacob, a loan officer attached to Centenary Bank, Kitgum branch, applauded the Aruu North county MP, Hon. Santa Okot, for such an initiative for alerting women in business as far as the Grow project is concerned.
He said Centenary Bank also has agricultural loans that can be paid after a period of six months, as well as school fees loans and home improvement loans that can equally be obtained individually apart from the Grow project.
Paul Nuwagaba, an official attached to finance in the private sector foundation, said filling the Physical form for the Grow project will begin on Monday.
Pader District Woman MP Hon. Aciro Paska Menya, while addressing the crowd, rallied the women to remember to pay back the loan.
She commended Hon. Santa Okot for always coordinating with her and working together for the betterment of Aruu North and Pader district as a whole.
The Pader Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Odongo Milton congratulated Hon. Santa Okot for inviting him to the launch of the project. He also requested Hon. Santa Okot to join the NRM government and denounce the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
He said the three MPs representing Pader district in the 12th Parliament are hardworking people.
Odongo added that he is persuading Hon. Santa Okot to join the NRM government. “I want to inform you that opposition are not enemies of the government,” said RDC Milton.
Odongo announced that MP Santa Okot and Aciro Paska have become very popular for the launch of the Grow project and above all, they are always down to earth and very active politically.
“The two MPs are on the ground and have never deserted their electorates even a single day,” added Odongo.
Meanwhile, RDC Odongo cautioned women to embrace the project wholeheartedly in order to reduce poverty among the rural population.
Santa Okot said her job is simple: to mobilize and sensitize her people to benefit from government projects, and more importantly, the Grow project.
