KARONGI/RUTSIRO – Teachers in Karongi and Rutsiro districts have been called upon by local leaders to embrace the teachers’ savings and credit society (Umwalimu Sacco) in order to easily access loans.

Districts officials made the call while reacting to reports of poor service delivery at some banks has led to delays in teachers’ salaries which would not be the case if they were members of SACCO

"When money is released from the Ministry of Education, teachers who have accounts in other banks take a long time to get paid because of the logistics involved,” Michel Mulindankiko, Karongi district Education director said yesterday.

According to Richard Mugambage, the branch manager of Umwalimu Sacco in Karongi district, out of an estimated 3000 teachers in the two districts, only less than 900 get their salaries through the sacco.

"It is better to join our own sacco, it has other advantages. For example over 400 teachers have been given loans,” Mugambage said.

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