Bushenyi women have reason to remember and celebrate the life of the late Mary Karooro Okurut, a pioneering leader who empowered them through the Bushenyi Development Finance Trust Sacco (BUDEFT). Launched by First Lady Janet Museveni in 2005, BUDEFT aimed to economically liberate rural communities.
A Visionary Initiative:
Okurut’s vision was to create an economically emancipated society, transforming rural communities through values like teamwork, professionalism, accountability, loyalty, and timeliness. BUDEFT’s mission was to complement government efforts in poverty alleviation and promote savings and investment in income-generating activities.
Empowering Women:
Women beneficiaries shared their experiences, highlighting access to loans, skills, and government programs through the Sacco. They appealed to First Lady Janet Museveni to continue supporting their initiatives, built on Okurut’s foundation.
Financial Progress:
According to the 2024 Annual Report, BUDEFT had:
Share Capital: 195.65 million Ugandan shillings
Savings: 119.04 million Ugandan shillings
Loans: 330.19 million Ugandan shillings
Retained Earnings: 63.19 million Ugandan shillings
A Lasting Legacy:
The General Manager of BUDEFT praised Okurut’s contributions, stating that her legacy continues to inspire development in the community. Okurut’s leadership and vision paved the way for women’s economic empowerment in Bushenyi, with Nightie Kampororo, Chairperson of BUDEFT, being a testament to her impact.
End.
