2025 CoopsDay celebrations : Gov’t pushes cooperatives on quality certification
FORT PORTL CITY, July 6, 2025 — The Minister of State for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, has urged the cooperative leaders in Uganda to take the lead in educating members on the importance of product certification and acquiring the Uganda National Bureau of Standards [UNBS] Quality Mark [Q-Mark].
He made the call while delivering his speech during yesterday’s International Day of Cooperatives celebrations at Boma Grounds in Fort Portal City, Gen. Mbadi stressed that certification is key to unlocking both domestic and regional market opportunities.
The minister represented President Yoweri Museveni, who was expected to be the Chief Guest at the event.
“The Q-Mark is very important, it will give you access to Ugandan and regional markets because of the Buy Uganda Build Uganda [BUBU] policy and the East African free market,” he said.
He also reminded cooperators of broader opportunities available through the African Continental Free Trade Area [AfCFTA], which gives access to a market of over one billion people.
“Which other market are you looking for?” the minister asked, urging cooperatives to take advantage of existing frameworks.
Gen. Mbadi acknowledged the challenges raised by cooperative stakeholders, including the fragmented regulatory framework, and assured them that the government is working to resolve these issues.
“I have noted your challenges. They are a work in progress. The issue of fragmented regulation is being looked into and will be resolved soon,” he added.
Relatedly, the Minister of State for Cooperatives, Frederick Ngobi Gume has also urged cooperatives to become more innovative to meet the demands of the global markets.
“We must embrace innovative technologies, reduce postharvest losses, and move beyond trading in raw produce if our cooperatives are to compete globally,” said Gume.
He informed the cooperators that the government has formed the cooperative bank in order to ease access to affordable and appropriate financing for both the agricultural, financial, health , and other forms of cooperatives in Uganda.
“We have reestablished the National Cooperative Bank,” Gume added.
He encouraged cooperatives to increase agricultural productivity and also venture into value addition and agro-industrialisation to boost their incomes.
“We should embrace innovative practices, we should adopt modern technology, we should also learn how to share knowledge,” he said.
Gume assured cooperators that the Ministry is committed to creating an enabling environment that supports the growth of cooperatives in Uganda.
He promised cooperators that the issues of a fragmented regulatory framework are going to be resolved.
The Kabarole district LCV Chairperson, Richard Rwabuhinga called on the Trade ministry to strengthen the capacity building for the cooperative leaders to build strong governance structures, which has been one of the issues affecting cooperatives.
He further noted the need for financial literacy among the cooperative members to ensure they own their cooperative.
“I have realised that members don’t own their cooperatives at some point; there is a great need for financial literacy to reduce loan default rates among members,” Rwabuhinga said.
He urged the ministry to take an interest in mindset change, which is one of the Parish Development Model [PDM] pillars, and think of incorporating it in the school curriculum.
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
