The Sector Savings and Credit Cooperative (Umurenge-SACCO) was on Thursday officially launched in Rutunga Sector, in Gasabo District.

The ceremony also coincided with the opening of the Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP) at a playground near the sector offices.

Gasabo District’s vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Narcisse Ndagijimana who officiated the function, called upon residents to subscribe to the savings scheme, saying that this will boost economic activities and improve their living standards.

He also urged them to always seek advice regarding SACCO and VUP programmes at the sector office.

The Executive Secretary of Rutunga Sector, Dismas Nzabamwita, said that the saving cooperative opened in the sector in late April this year, revealing that over 900 residents have so far registered with it.

"The management of our sector has plans of raising around Rfw40m this year from the SACCO programme, but according to what is on the ground, I am confident we are going to surpass our target because in two months, we have collected Rwf5m” Nzabamwita said.

Pasikaziya Mukarugambwa, who spoke on behalf of the residents, commended the government for extending the SACCO programme to the sector saying that this has solved the problem of moving long distances to deposit their savings.

She said that they have been travelling at least seven kilometres to deposit and withdraw their money from the Kajevuba Bank Populaire in Rulindo District.

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