Government Warns Cooperatives Against Corruption and Infighting, Calls for Unity to Drive Sector Growth

LCC TV NEWS

Kwania, Uganda – The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, through the Uganda Warehouse Receipt System Authority (UWRSA), has issued a stern warning to cooperative societies across the country, identifying corruption and internal leadership conflicts as principal impediments to their sustainable growth and development.

The admonition was delivered during a capacity-building training session for members of the Acula-Wic Oil Farmers Cooperative Society Limited in Ayabi Sub-county, Kwania District. Speaking at the event, UWRSA Commissioner Deborah Kyasiime called upon cooperative leaders and members to decisively renounce corrupt practices, power struggles, and the pursuit of personal interests that collectively erode organizational cohesion and effectiveness.

Commissioner Kyasiime underscored that the viability of cooperative societies is contingent upon a collective commitment to transparency, accountability, and a unified strategic vision. She further articulated the government’s explicit objective to elevate cooperatives within the Lango Sub-region to the status of successful and sustainable enterprises, citing the exemplary model established by Dokolo South MP Felix Okot Ogong. She emphasized that member solidarity is indispensable for enhancing agricultural marketing, augmenting farmers’ incomes, and reinforcing the broader cooperative movement.

Echoing these sentiments, Kwania District Commercial Officer Emmanuel Felix Okwanga provided a statistical overview of the district's cooperative landscape, revealing the existence of 120 registered cooperatives, 36 Emyooga Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), and 49 Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCOs. These institutions, he noted, are underpinned by substantial government investment aimed at bolstering household incomes. Mr. Okwanga cautioned members and leaders against the mismanagement of public funds and practices that undermine state-supported institutions, reiterating that rigorous accountability is paramount to their success.

Ayabi Sub-county Female Councillor Magrita Akello Okeng corroborated these concerns, stating that corruption and persistent conflicts between leadership and membership remain the most formidable obstacles hindering cooperative progress within the Lango Sub-region. She advocated for fortified leadership, enhanced transparency, and renewed cooperation to restore and sustain member confidence.

In a positive development, Thomas Obongi, Chairperson of the Acula-Wic Oil Farmers Cooperative Society Limited, reported significant strides made by the cooperative, which currently holds over UGX 26 million in savings. This financial reservoir, he explained, has enabled the society to extend crucial loans to members for soybean production during the second planting season. Mr. Obongi expressed optimism that the insights and skills acquired during the three-day training, which concluded on August 6, 2026, would prove instrumental in refining operational efficiencies and achieving the cooperative’s long-term objective of becoming a dependable source of affordable credit for local farmers.

The training initiative was concurrently conducted in East and West Acholi, as well as Kwania District. Participants are expected to cascade the acquired knowledge to farming communities across Uganda, with a focus on promoting best practices in post-harvest handling, storage, and marketing of agricultural produce through the warehouse receipt system.