All rights reserved © 2024 BUSEESA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

P.O.BOX 322 MUBENDE

Tel.  +256702 746 027

Tel.  +256200 900 509

Email: bcdcuganda@gmail.com

Buseesa Community Development Centre (BCDC) is a non-profit organization Dedicated to combating Poverty levels in Kibaale and the neighboring Districts in Uganda

Microcredit Services

BCDC Microcredit Technical staff.

PURPOSE

To provide access to small collateral and low interest financial services for low income individuals and small business owners, promoting economic empowerment and poverty eradication among communities.

KEY PRINCIPLES

Financial inclusion; provide access to financial services to underserved populations.

Affordability; offer loans at low service fees

Transparency; clearly disclose loan terms and conditions.

Responsible lending; assess borrower creditworthiness and ensure loan repayment capacity.

Financial education; provide training and support to borrowers on financial literacy and loan management.

The Micro credit program offers diversified loans aimed at financial and socio-economic development among communities; these include:

Startup loans. The micro credit funds individuals to start up small businesses such as retail shops, groceries, saloons, etc.

Business expansion loans. Providing financial support for existing businesses to expand operations.

Agricultural loans; these loans are offered under the farmers cooperatives whereby farmers are given the required agriculture inputs including seeds, fertilizers, tarps among others to enhance agricultural production.

Skilling Loans; The micro credit offers loans for individuals to enroll in vocational training programs or workshops to acquire skills that can lead to new business opportunities and employment.

Housing improvement loans; these loans are used for making essential repairs or improvement to homes such as upgrading sanitation facilities and improving energy efficiency.

Education loans; micro credit offers school fees loans where by children are offered fees requirements at the beginning of the term and parents clear the loan in affordable instalments.

IMPACT

Women empowerment through gender equality. We prioritize giving loans to women deemed more vulnerable and marginalized in society. By so doing we give them chance to compete in the money economy as well as having their voice heard.

Economic empowerment; providing capital for individuals to start or expand small businesses leads to increased economic activity and job creation.

Income generation, loans help borrowers to generate a steady income improving financial stability and reducing poverty levels.

Creation of employment; borrowers with improved businesses often create opportunities for wage earners or even contract employees

Improved standards of living. These loans enable individuals to invest in health services leading to better overall health outcomes.

Financial Inclusion. Micro-credit offers financial services to individuals who are underserved or unable to access bank services.

Credit history building. This helps borrowers build a positive credit history which can facilitate access to larger loans from BCDC or other financial institutions.

Community engagement. By encouraging active participation in community development projects and initiatives leading to improved social cohesion.

Successful borrowers serve as role models, inspiring others in the community to pursue their own business ventures.

Crisis management. We provide financial support during emergencies, helping individuals manage crises without falling deeper into poverty.

MICRCREDIT BORROWERS TESTIMONIES

A group of women borrowers from kiryabicooli station. They engage in a variety of activities including cocoa growing, banana growing, goat keeping and coffee growing.

My name is Kyakuha Teddy aged 49 a resident of Nsonga Village Matale Sub county kibaale district, married with children. I operate a wholesale shop in kasalaba Trading center. I joined BCDC micro-credit program in 2014 with an initial loan of 300,000 Uganda Shillings. I have subsequently progressed and am now servicing my 29th loan of 3,000,000 Uganda shillings payable in 6 months. BCDC Loans have helped to boost my business, coffee plantation and banana plantation. Thank you BCDC for your customer service

I have been able to turn a business of 3Millions into 20millions

My name is Kaheru Stephen a resident of Kayunga Village Matale Sub county.  I got to know about BCDC loans through my wife who was already in a group and she convinced me to join.  In one of the Groups I obtained my first loan of 300,000. At that time my coffee field was so small I decided to go in for loan to expand my field. For the subsequent loans I have been able to expand from 1 acre to 6 acres and reaping. I choose BCDC because it understands a common man.

My name is Juuko Rafairi a resident of kyankuba village. I joined BCDC micro-credit in 2013 and my first loan take was 175,000 Uganda shillings. Through receiving sub sequential loans I have been able to become a landlord around kasalaba Trading Centre, I have also been able to establish a welding workshop in Kisengwe. Am so much grateful that all my children are in private schools.

My name is Nanyanzi Hadijah chairperson of Agarihamu community saving group found in Kyankuba village. The group consists of 22 members and we save for targets like buying house items, educating our children. In other words each year of saving we always debate on certain target which is a need among the majority members in the group. We are so much honored by the BCDC credit team who come give us Trainings concerning management savings and advice on how to expand the group savings. There is hope by the members’ compliance that our group savings are going to grow.

Am Kisakyamaria Christine a resident of Rwabyoma Village but running a small business In Kaikara. When I was still energetic lady my loan size had grown from 175,000Ugx to 2,500,000 million. I was able to buy some land for cultivation and even pay fees for my grandchildren. Currently am 67 years. Am so much privileged BCDC introduced me to an elderly interest free loan worth shs.400,000 Which was invested in my small business alongside selling pancakes. I have managed to pay all instalments as they are stipulated in six months.

My name is Namuli Teopista a resident of Nsoga Village married to Mulindwa Paul. Personally I love the loan products of BCDC for instance I have been able to educate my children alongside investing in a matooke plantation. After receiving 29th loan in BCDC I was able to start up a produce shop in Kasalaba Centre as it is trying to grow I have hope it will sustain itself.

My name is Nabukalu Angella from Mitujju, Nyamarwa sub county. I own  a three roomed structure as a result of BCDC loans used as lodges in Mitujju center. This has boosted my income making it easy to make payments and improving my status generally. I also have another site under construction. In addition I also own an electronics shop selling phones and accessories, airtel and MTN mobile money services.

My name is Kemigisa Noeline aged 20years. I pursue a bachelor’s degree of Science in Computer Engineering at Busitema University. Am grateful for the financial support am getting from BCDC. My studies are flowing very well because I don’t get financial crisis in any case. Thanks very much for all the support. I pray for your continuous progress so that many students with financial issues can be supported. May God bless you.

My name is Nabulime Oliver from mitujju. I joined BCDC in 2022 with an initial loan of 300,000 which I invested in the fish business. Since then I have accumulated my profits and was in position to start a second business dealing in second hand clothes.

Background.

The BCDC Micro credit program started in 2009. It started with 40 women borrowers who had formed groups of five with a loan capital of 175,000 Uganda shillings ($46.98) per member with a total portfolio of 7M Uganda shillings ($1879). Members had a single station in Buseesa where they gathered monthly to make their loan payments. In the year 2013, eight other stations were created to extend services to other needy communities. By the end of February 2020, BCDCs outstanding loan portfolio had grown to 421.6M. shillings ($113,178) with 1,010 total borrowers. Between March and August 2020, our programs were strongly hit by the effects of COVID19 pandemic which reduced the number of active borrowers to 988 as of end of August 2020. Since then, the program has steadily progressed and is currently serving in the districts of Kibaale, Kyegegwa, Kasese, and Sheema with 1,739 borrowers with a total outstanding portfolio of $188,848.81 (696,726,150 Uganda shillings). 

Support for the women's microfinance program is provided by Women's Microfinance Initiative USA- WMI USA.

The micro-credit program engages in a number of activities guided by a defined policy basing on the following objectives;

 Ensuring the effective and efficient management of financial resources.

 Promoting transparency and accountability in financial operations.

 Ensuring access of financial services to the underserved populations.

 Complying with relevant laws, regulations and donor requirements.

The micro-credit pillar currently employs 8 technical staff and 4 supporting staff.