The state minister for cooperatives, Fredrick Ngobi Gume, has 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 24th 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.
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.
