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The Third General Meeting of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Investment Club and SACCO gave me a reminder that savings alone are not enough; the exciting truth is that prosperity lies in transforming savings into productive investments.
Across Uganda, collective financial platforms such as SACCOs and Investment Clubs have increasingly become engines of economic empowerment and shared growth.
For SACCOs, it is now a widely common and practiced phenomenal due to Emyooga and the gospel being spread by the Microfinance Support Center yet Investment clubs are what in the village our mothers called Niigiina, and to some who know the Bagagga Kwagalana, Tuko Club, among others, where members mobilize themselves for a goal to invest their monies and multiply.
Recent evidence shows that SACCOs play a critical role in financial inclusion, especially in underserved communities where up to 90 per cent of people remain excluded from formal banking systems.
By pooling resources, members gain access to affordable credit, build assets and invest in income-generating opportunities. The growth of SACCOs in Uganda is not theoretical. Institutions like the Parliamentary SACCO, recorded a 14 per cent growth in assets in 2023-2024, while the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Wazalendo recorded a growth of 338 per cent in 2025.
This demonstrates the tangible benefits of collective financial action. Investment clubs further extend this impact by shifting focus from savings to wealth creation. Structured savings groups now benefit from tailored financial products, training and mentorship to enhance their ability to invest strategically and sustainably.
According to the World Bank Report, Uganda Economic Update 2025, the evolution of investment clubs is crucial in a growing economy like Uganda’s, where GDP growth reached over 6 per cent in 2024/2025, driven in part by increased domestic investment.
From such reflections, several strategies emerge. First, members must embrace disciplined saving as the foundation for investment. Secondly, SACCOs and clubs should diversify beyond lending into ventures such as agriculture, real estate and small enterprise.
Third, continuous financial literacy and mentorship are essential to guide informed decision making. Finally, strong governance and accountability within groups ensure sustainability and trust.
Joining an investment club or SACCO is, therefore, not merely a financial decision; it is a pathway to economic freedom. It enables members to move from survival to stability, and ultimately to prosperity.
As we look ahead, collective growth remains our strongest pillar for building resilient communities and unlocking shared wealth for generations to come.
The writer is the Membership Relations Officer at the UN Staff SACCO.
