Kuteesa Pewosa Savings Group celebrates first anniversary as members receive annual savings

11 December 2025, 11:30 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As the year draws to a close, several savings groups across the country have begun issuing annual savings to their members. In Kampala Central Division, members of Kuteesa Pewosa, led by their chairperson, Abdu Latif Kibombo, held their annual celebrations today to mark a successful year of collective saving.

During the event, members exchanged gifts and shared testimonies about the benefits of belonging to the group, including supporting one another during both good and difficult times. According to the chairperson, it is mandatory for members to stand together during such moments.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all the 30 members for allowing me to lead them after being appointed by our teacher, Madam Alice Nakalema, months ago. Celebrating a year is not a simple achievement because many saving groups start but fail to reach one year. We thank God for enabling us to come this far, and we believe we are going even further,” Kibombo said.

He revealed that the group, based in the Old Taxi Park, is open to everyone regardless of their occupation. “Here we do not discriminate because our focus is on developing ourselves. Our target is 50 groups, but for now we have four. However, if we remain faithful and consistent, we shall achieve our target. I urge everyone to join because this is a productive initiative,” he added. Kibombo also noted the group’s growing financial capacity, with qualified members now able to access loans of up to Uganda Shillings 20 million.

Hajji Rashid Sekindi, Chairman of the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF), attended the event as a guest and commended the group’s efforts. “This is amazing. Who knew that one day we would celebrate such a significant achievement by taxi operators? In the past, when we still had conflicts among ourselves, no one would have allowed such an event. But thanks to Almighty God, we have reached this far. I urge members to continue working together,” he said.

Sekindi also advised drivers not to change their routes during the festive season and encouraged passengers to travel early to avoid transport fare increases. He further urged all members to participate in the upcoming elections. “I want to call upon all of you to go and vote on 15 January 2026, and please vote for my candidate, President Yoweri Museveni, because of what he has done for us as taxi operators,” he emphasised.

Group overseer Alice Nakalema praised the members for their discipline and progress, noting that they have saved over Uganda Shillings 38 million since the group was formed. “This shows that they have started very well. I urge them not to withdraw all the money but to leave some behind. I thank the patron, Mr Katumba William, for wishing these people well and for assigning me to train them,” she said.

Other attendees included the area LCI chairperson, additional UTOF officials, and UTOF Vice-Chairman Mayambala Mustafa, who urged the UTOF leadership to mobilise more members to join Pewosa. He emphasised the need for respect and unity if members are to prosper.