The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in partnership with the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV) has conducted a capacity building training for Commercial Officers from 50 Local Governments in cooperative supervision and financial auditing with emphasis on SACCOs.
The training organized under the theme ‘Strengthening the Capacity of Distrct Commercial Officers in Cooperative Financial Audits’ took place from 18th to 19th August 2025 at Kolping Hotel in Kampala. It was facilitated by officials from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU).
Facilitated by CPA Joseph Balikudembe Kigongo and CPA Augustine Lule, the training is equipped commercial officers with knowledge and practical skills in key areas of cooperative audit and supervision. These include financial reporting, social auditing of cooperatives, ethical codes of conduct, as well as the application of accounting and auditing standards relevant to the management of cooperative societies.
While addressing the participants, the Assistant Commissioner of Cooperatives, Mr. Robert Mpakibi Waiswa emphasized the importance of the training noting that cooperatives are not only business enterprises but also community-driven institutions that thrive on trust, transparency, and accountability. He noted that strengthening the audit function is central to building confidence among members and stakeholders, while also improving the sustainability of the cooperative movement.
“The Cooperative sector has been identified as a key vehicle to drive Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and by enhancing the capacity of Ccommercial officers, the Ministry seeks to ensure that cooperatives continue to contribute effectively to inclusive growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods for Ugandans”, noted Mpakibi
This is the first capacity building training in supervision and financial auditing organized by the ministry for DCOs, ad according to Mpakibi, more of such trainings are yet to be organized to ensure that all the LGs in the country are covered.
CPA Augustine Lule, a facilitator in the training noted that they have put more emphasis on preparation of financial reports based on the accounting standards which has been a huge gap in the supervision and auditing of cooperative societies especially the SACCOs at the local government level.
Patrick Balungi, the DCO for Bukomansimbi district lauded the ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives for organizing the training saying it has furnished them with practical skills and knowledge which will help them to support the growth of cooperatives in their local governments.
“This training is timely and has addressed a huge training gap that we had as commercial officers especially the social audit aspect. I will not keep the knowledge and skills I have attained in this training to myself, but will transfer the same to my colleagues back home and the cooperatives in my jurisdiction”, said Balungi.
The training brought together 50 District, City, and Municipal Commercial Officers from across the country. Commercial officers play a critical role in overseeing the activities of cooperative societies at the local level and ensuring compliance with regulatory and accountability standards.
