Umwalimu Sacco to open more branches

Umwalimu Sacco, the teachers savings and credit co-operative, will next month open ten more branches as part of its expansion programme. This was revealed yesterday by the cooperative`s managing director, Joseph Museruka. “We shall make sure that the branches get connected to our server in the shortest time possible to enable teachers access their February salary from the new offices,” Museruka said in an exclusive interview. The institution will open branches in Kamonyi, Nyaruguru, Gisagara, Nyabihu, Burera, Gakenke, Rulindo, Ruhango, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge districts. More five branches will also be opened at the provincial level in a move designed to facilitate implementation of decisions made at the headquarters. “We want to decentralize our activities and this will help us effectively carry out our activities. Our agents will be in the field closely monitoring and identifying the challenges that may hinder the smooth implementation of our programme,” he said. He explained that teachers will also be trained on cooperative operations to encourage them to form such unions. “The maximum amount teachers can get as loan was increased to Rwf15 million. But the easiest way to secure this type of loan is to form cooperatives because they (teachers) can easily come up with bigger projects,” he said. Cecile Mukankusi, a teacher said of the development: “There are cases that have been forcing teachers to come to the headquarters, but I believe such cases will instead be handled at provincial offices”. editor@newtimes.co.rw

National

Umwalimu Sacco to open more branches