UGANDA CO-OPERATIVE ALLIANCE MARKS THE 56TH UCA MEMBERS' AGM

 Established in 1961, Uganda Co-operative Alliance (UCA) Ltd is the apex body for all registered co-operative societies in Uganda covering different sectors of the economy. UCA serves as the voice of the co-operative movement both nationally and internationally with a mandate to consider, and make recommendations, and representation to the Government on matters of policy relating to the co-operative movement and any other matter affecting registered co-operative societies in general or in particular. UCA is also mandated to carry out arbitration whenever disputes arise in Co-operatives, provides capacity building, support institutional development, lobby and advocacy, resource mobilization for the cooperative movement and any other co- operative development work. UCA’s Vision is “A strong and vibrant umbrella organization of prosperous co-operatives with empowered members” with a mission “To provide high-quality support services to co-operatives and their members on a sustainable basis”.

As required by law, The board and management of Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA), convened the National Cooperative Consultative Meeting which was held on 24^th , September 2024 and her 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) under the theme “Cooperatives build a better future for all” which was held on the 25^th September 2024.

This year’s National Cooperative Consultative meeting will be a landmark occasion, reflecting on the journey of our cooperative movement and charting the path forward amidst an evolving economic landscape. The Government of Uganda has adopted the cooperative model giving cooperatives a bigger milestone in service delivery for social economic transformation and improved livelihoods which is in line with NDP IV and the Global sustainable development Goals

UCA conducted a capacity needs assessment meeting that revealed various capacity gaps most of which need policy shift. It was in this context therefore, that UCA organized the national Cooperative Consultative Meeting in which cooperators, partners, implementers of different Government programs, policy makers, political, cultural and religious leaders. The participants were expected to generate policy positions and papers in addition to fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations for cooperative growth and development.

The Parliament of Uganda was represented by the following Members of parliament at the National Cooperative Consultative Meeting ;

1. Hon. Aol Betty Ochan - Gulu Municipality
2. Hon. Kuluo Joseph Andrew - Toroma County , Katakwi District
3. Hon. Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudini - Elgon County, Buwambuli District
4. Hon. Apolot Stella Isodo - MP Ngora District
5. Hon. Aleper Margret Aachila
6. Hon Businge Harriet - Hoima District
7. Hon. Abdulhu Byakatonda - MP workers
8. Hon. Jacinta Atuto - MP Aleptong District
9. Hon. Amero Suzan - MP Amuria District

The following were our Objectives.

1. UCA to engage the cooperators and its partners to reflect on the strategic goals and objectives of the cooperative movement and design the resolutions to influence the policy direction of the cooperative Society

2. To present the minutes of the 55 th AGM for approval.
3. To present Management actions on the matters arising from the 55 th Annual General Meeting.
4. To present to the AGM the Board and management report for the financial year 2023/2024.
5. To present to the AGM the UCA supervisory Board report and request for approval.
6. To present the to the AGM the external auditors and request for their approval for the year 2024/2025.

Expected results/Deliverables:

1. A National Cooperative Consultative meeting organized and 350 participants expected to attend.

2. A National Annual General Meeting organized and 250 participants expected to attend.
3. Design the resolutions to influence the policy direction of the cooperative Society
4. Annual General Meeting minutes with corrective action points
5. Resolutions

We had the following academia’s who presented on the following

The stakeholders from government ministries, department and agencies, [MDAs], development partners, policy makers ,the academia, SACCOs and Unions and media were exposed to several key presentations from actors such as National planning authority [NPA],Ministries of finance, Gender, trade, industry and cooperatives.

Presentation of Capacity Needs Assessment Report on cooperatives by Prof Ariho Alex

 Second presentation from Mr Arnold Bugonga planner trade at National Planning Authority presenting on Positioning Cooperatives into Uganda's Development strategies with focus on NDP IV

Our third presentation was from Mr Golooba Lwanga Manager Financial Inclusion from Ministry of finance, Planning and Economic Development about the roles of PDM and Emyooga in Wealth creation for social economic transformation

 Presentation from Mrs Amumpaire Mary, Senior ICT officer Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives,  presenting on Digital Migration A catalyst for inclusivity and Sustainability in Cooperatives

Presentation from Mr Enoch Mutamba, Skills and specialist, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development on Business and Investment opportunities for Women and Youth through Generating Growth Opportunities and productivity for women enterprises (GROW) Project

Counsel Ferdinand from KAA, legal representatives of UCA presented the Investigation report on the assets of UCA

Uganda Co-operative Alliance (UCA) led efforts to raise strategies of setting up their own bank have received overwhelming support from key member stakeholder groupings who have endorsed the idea saying it was high time their long dream came to pass.

The development came to light on Tuesday 24 September during the high level National cooperative consultative meeting which was held at Silver springs hotel Bugolobi attended by over 200 distinguished stakeholders.

 Themed as ‘Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All’, the Alliance had been engaged in several regional stakeholder consultative meetings discussing strategies and devising means of reviving their now defunct cooperative bank which shall be named the National Cooperation Bank.

"The Cooperative Bank was established in the early 1960s as a main source of credit facilities for farmers in Uganda before its closure in May 1999 with 23 branches countrywide however the general secretary of UCA Ivan Asiimwe told the participants that their regional meetings to get advice from cooperators and lobby funds to reopen the bank was a success.

CPA Asiimwe Ivan said "cooperators need to raise Shs150bn, a minimum capital requirement set by the Bank of Uganda for the establishment of a bank".

“If the 50,000 registered cooperatives accept to combine their resources, then we can establish our bank. This system worked well in the Netherlands, Tanzania and Kenya,” Asiimwe said

He requested the government for financial support toward the establishment of the bank either in debt, equity, or venture capital.

CPA Ivan Asiimwe, the General Secretary of Uganda cooperative alliance noted that the two day meeting aimed to engage the cooperators and its partners to reflect on the strategic goals and objectives of the cooperative movement and design the resolutions to influence the policy direction of the cooperative Society.

"Also to present the minutes of the 55th AGM for approval. To present Management actions on the matters arising from the 55th Annual General Meeting. To present to the AGM the Board and management report for the financial year 2023/2024. To present to the AGM the UCA supervisory Board report and request for approval. To present to the AGM the external auditors and request for their approval for the year 2024/2025 among others.’’ He said.

The state minister for cooperatives Hon Min. Fredrick Gume Ngobi who stood in for the finance minister Matia Kasaija said the government was supportive of the cooperators voice and collective demand seeking to revive their old bank given the choking high lending interest rates from commercial banks.

"As the line ministry and government in general, we are supportive of the cooperative's view of reviving their old bank such that they can effectively drive their members' desired interests forward noted Ngobi.

He lashed out at some cooperators who are bent on orchestrating internal fights within the alliance as opposed to fronting for the real issues that affect the members especially challenges of fluctuating commodity prices, high bank borrowing interest rates among others.  

The Gulu district woman legislator and committee member of agriculture in the august house during her submission lashed out at the government for not doing enough to support farmers efforts of setting up own bank as well as effective policies that favor the farming community saying the Northern region was hard hit.

She observed that the government has all it takes to support the farmers in setting up their own bank but seems not either bothered or busy with other issues. However, the minister of finance Matia Kasaija led a team to struggle with the farmers in ensuring that their dreams come true.

The others were the parish development model [PDM] secretariat and the Uganda cooperative alliance secretariat among other players.

He asked leaders of different cooperatives to give the chance to the younger generation to serve at the leadership level.

‘’Don’t lock out the young generation to enter cooperatives, let the young generation come and also steer the movement of the cooperative. I want to give you an example: when I was in secondary school, I used to play a lot of football and do 50 push-ups, but now I can’t make even 30 because I have advanced in age. So why don’t you allow these young and energetic men and women to bring in fresh blood that would assist as to steer the cooperative movement. This is my concern’’ Minister said while officiating the National Cooperative Consultative Meeting held in Kampala on 24^th September, 2024 organized by the Uganda cooperative alliance –UCA.

The minister also advised cooperative societies to desist from endless wrangles that keep them stagnant for years instead of pushing for development.

According to him, the ministry is concerned that leaders in cooperative societies spend a lot of time engaging in unnecessary fights rather than discussing the challenges in the industry that has kept many behind.

Minister Ngobi emphasized that unity among the cooperative societies should be a priority if they are to develop and attract more people to join.

“I want to thank the cooperative alliance, we are looking forward to looking at you delivering the Bank because it will be your own Bank. It will not be a bank for the ministry of trade, industry and cooperatives, it is a bank for people who are cooperators. How do you move now? I’m tired of talking’’. Minister said, adding that if each of about 14 million cooperators around the country would contribute UGX 10,000 to the cooperative bank and we stop talking then cooperative movement will be far. he stated

‘’Look at the SACCOs in the country, they can come together and bring those resources. Be effective, be committed, stop quarrels and move ahead. That is the way forward’’. Minister said.

In her submission, during the consultative meeting, Betty Aol Ochan, the Gulu City Woman Member of parliament said that it is sad that cooperatives which used to empower people at grassroots are not working, only SACCOs are working.

Achan also raised the concern on the way some government programs are being implemented citing Emyoga program. She said government programs like Emyoga must be steered by only technical people at the districts instead of politicians.

She said unless such programs are put under technical people, They will help little or nothing to the economic transformation of communities.

According to her, Particularly in Northern region, Emyoga program is a big disaster and politicized asking why the government would not let the system work.