SACCOs Unite Under Development Educators to Boost Growth

The Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union (UCSCU) has launched the Development Educators–Uganda Network, a platform aimed at strengthening the role of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) in promoting sustainable development.

The launch took place during a Development Educators’ breakfast meeting at Fairway Hotel in Kampala under the theme “Advancing the SACCO Sector’s Abilities in Promoting Sustainable Development.” The event brought together Uganda’s Development Educators (DEs) to deliberate on strategies for growth and cooperation within the sector.

Hon. Bintu Jalia, Chairperson of UCSCU, commended SACCO leaders for investing in the professional development of their staff through the Development Educators programme. She encouraged the educators to remain committed and to work collectively towards advancing the SACCO movement in Uganda.

Chairman of the Supervision Committee of Wazalendo SACCO, Brigadier General Justus Rukundo, underscored the need for greater collaboration, stating: “Once we work together and start small, such as contributing and making community contributions, we can achieve much more.”

Colonel Yusuf Magero Buha, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Wazalendo SACCO, urged SACCOs to support national initiatives, share resources and unite in order to create stronger impact across the country.

Participants discussed practical approaches to improving SACCO performance, including strengthening financial inclusion, building institutional capacity, engaging at both national and regional levels, and developing joint projects to directly benefit communities.

The meeting also set out to establish a professional body to drive social and economic transformation through the cooperative model, and to elect interim leadership for the DEs Uganda Network.

An interim committee was elected with Col Yusuf Magero Buha as Chairperson, deputised by Mr Methods Mureebe, CEO of the Parliamentary SACCO.

Other members include Ms Rita, Training Manager at UCSCU; Ms Oliver Wananda, CEO of UN Staff SACCO; Lt Col Julius Niragire; Ms Dorothy Mwesigwa; and Ms Mercy Tumukunde.

The event was attended by Dr Silvester Ndirora Mukama, CEO of UCSCU, alongside Development Educators from various SACCOs across the country.