By As Uganda prepares to mark the 103rd International Day of Cooperatives on July 5, the government has intensified a nationwide reform process to clean up and restore integrity in the cooperative movement, which has been plagued by poor governance, mismanagement, and dormancy.
Addressing the press at the Uganda Media Centre, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, announced a sweeping overhaul of cooperative unions and their affiliated primary societies, including the dissolution of several boards found to be in violation of cooperative laws and principles.
“The Ministry is undertaking a total overhaul of cooperative leadership that has abused offices and compromised service delivery,” Hon. Mwebesa said. “We are enforcing transparency, accountability, and proper governance structures within all cooperatives.”
According to the Minister, validation exercises have already been conducted in North Bukedi, Wamala, Bunyoro, and Busoga Growers Cooperative Unions. Their boards were removed after investigations revealed operational irregularities and widespread dormancy among member societies. Additional unions, including Masaba, Banyankole Kweterana, and East Acholi, are scheduled for audit before October 2025.
To address long-standing structural and technological weaknesses in the sector, Hon. Mwebesa said the Ministry has launched the Cooperative Registry Management Information System, a digital platform aimed at streamlining cooperative registration, improving data management, and eliminating red tape.
“This system is a game-changer,” he said. “It will allow cooperatives to register, renew, and update records online ending the need for members to travel to Kampala for services.”
In addition to leadership reforms, the Ministry is targeting key challenges such as low capitalization, inadequate storage facilities, poor management systems, and limited cooperative education. Hon. Mwebesa emphasized that education, digital innovation, and capacity building are essential to reviving and sustaining the sector.
The overhaul comes at a symbolic moment as Uganda prepares to celebrate this year’s International Day of Cooperatives under the theme, “Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.” The national event will be held at Boma Grounds in Fort Portal City and is expected to be presided over by President Yoweri Museveni.
Key highlights will include the unveiling of the Uganda Cooperative Alliance’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, the commissioning of a new milk processing facility by Tooro Dairy Cooperative Society, and the opening of Busaiga SACCO’s new office building.
Uganda currently has over 45,000 registered cooperatives involved in agriculture, finance, housing, energy, and transport. Many play a vital role in implementing government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hubs.
Hon. Mwebesa called on all cooperators, stakeholders, and the general public to actively participate in the upcoming celebrations and embrace the ongoing reforms aimed at transforming cooperatives into credible, efficient, and sustainable institutions that drive Uganda’s development.
