Kuteesa Pewosa Saving 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 saving 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 each other during both good and challenging times. According to the chairperson, it is mandatory for members to stand with one another during such moments.

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

He revealed that the group, based in the Old Taxi Park, is open to everyone regardless of their work. “Here we don’t discriminate because our focus is to develop ourselves. Our target is 50 groups but for now we have four. However, if we remain faithful and consistent, we shall hit our target. I urge everyone to join because this is a productive initiative,” he added. Kibombo also noted that the group’s financial strength has grown, with qualified members 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 big achievement by taxi operators? In the past, when we still had fights among ourselves, no one would even allow 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 urged passengers to travel early to avoid transport fare hikes. He further encouraged all members to participate in the upcoming elections. “I want to call upon all of you to go and vote on 15th January 2026, and please vote for my candidate President Yoweri Museveni because of what he has done for us as taxi operators,” he emphasized.

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 indicates that they have started very well. I urge them not to withdraw all the money but to leave some. I thank the patron, Mr. Katumba William, for wishing these people well and for assigning me to teach them,” she said.

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