Minister of State for Microfinance Shartsi Kuteesa Musherure has called on the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) to strengthen its programmes and align them with President Yoweri Museveni’s wealth-creation agenda to deliver sustainable livelihoods and broader economic transformation.
Musherure made the call on Tuesday during a meeting with the MSC leadership at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The delegation was led by MSC Executive Director John Mujuni.
The meeting focused on how the government’s microfinance interventions can be better aligned with the strategic direction of the wealth-creation agenda, with particular attention to financial resilience, enterprise development and improved household incomes.
Musherure emphasised the need for government investments in microfinance to generate sustainable economic opportunities rather than simply increasing access to credit.
The engagement comes as the government continues to use microfinance as a major tool for supporting small enterprises, organised groups and households seeking to move into productive economic activity.
MSC targets stronger financial inclusion
MSC leadership told the minister that the institution is prioritising the strengthening of microfinance institutions, promotion of savings, support for viable enterprises and expansion of financial literacy.
The institution is also focused on ensuring that government programmes translate into meaningful and sustainable benefits for communities.
According to figures presented by MSC, the institution has reached 7.5 million beneficiaries, supported the creation of approximately 1.2 million jobs and worked with 7,391 client institutions.
MSC has also been working to reduce the cost of borrowing for its clients while improving access to financial services for underserved communities.
The institution has played a central role in implementing government-backed programmes aimed at expanding access to affordable finance and supporting household-level enterprise development.
Focus shifts from credit to sustainable enterprises
The latest discussions point to a broader shift in emphasis from simply providing financing to ensuring that beneficiaries can use financial resources productively and sustainably.
Musherure and the MSC leadership agreed that stronger monitoring and improved governance will be critical in safeguarding public resources and improving programme outcomes.
The institution is also expected to increase its focus on savings, appropriate financial products, enterprise development and value addition.
These measures are intended to help beneficiaries build businesses capable of generating stable incomes, creating employment and withstanding economic shocks.
Stronger coordination planned
MSC will also strengthen coordination with government agencies and other stakeholders involved in financial inclusion and wealth creation.
The approach is expected to improve the implementation of government programmes by reducing duplication, strengthening accountability and ensuring that financial interventions respond to the actual needs of communities and enterprises.
The government has increasingly positioned microfinance, savings mobilisation and enterprise development as key components of its strategy to move households into the money economy.
For MSC, the challenge will now be to convert its growing reach into measurable improvements in incomes, enterprise survival, employment and community-level economic resilience.
