KISORO, UGANDA – Leaders in the Kigezi region have launched a new wave of Saving and Credit Cooperative Unions (SACCOs) in a concerted effort to uplift households from poverty.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement was made by the former LC V Chairperson of Kabale District, Dr. Francis Runumi, during a multi-sub-county tour across Kisoro District on Thursday.
The tour was led by the Chairperson of the Bufumbira Twifatanye Saving and Credit Cooperative Union Limited, Gen. Kale Kayihura, who is also the former Inspector General of Police.
In his remarks, Dr. Runumi noted that Kigezi is the second poorest region in Uganda, a situation that prompted leaders to establish cooperatives across the region as a strategy to fight poverty at the household level.
He added that the idea behind forming cooperatives was to enable businesspeople, civil servants, and farmers to come together, pool resources, and eliminate poverty in the region.
Cue in: Dr. Runumi on poverty levels. RR
Gen. Kale Kayihura revealed that the cooperative initiative was introduced with the support of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, through his friends, to promote development among the people of Kisoro District.
He issued a stern warning to local leaders who are condemning and fighting the initiative, saying such leaders do not have the interests of the people at heart.
Kayihura outlined a comprehensive vision for the union that extends beyond savings and credit, pledging to safeguard savings, create agricultural markets, promote value addition, and establish local industries.
Cue in: Kayihura on industries. RR
Meanwhile, the Vice LC V Chairperson of Kisoro District, Alex Namabajimana, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the cooperative’s goals of adding value to farm products, creating jobs, and strengthening household incomes.
William Hishamunda, representing the LC3 Chairperson of Muramba Sub-county, cited the lack of reliable markets and the prevalence of unproductive seedlings as key issues, appealing for improved seed varieties to boost harvests.
Erasmus Nsabimana, the LC3 Chairperson for Nyarusiza Sub-county, praised the community’s strong turnout and urged everyone to join the cooperative for their own benefit and to embrace the opportunity for collective development.
Cue in: LC IIIs on the initiative. RR
The leaders’ tour, which covered the sub-counties of Nyarusiza, Muramba, Nyarubuye, Rukundo, and Bunagana Town Council, marks a significant mobilization effort.
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