KYAPS SACCO expands to Ntungamo in drive to bring services closer to members
NTUNGAMO, February 20, 2026 – Kyamuhunga People’s SACCO [KYAPS], domiciled in Bushenyi district, has marked a significant milestone in its growth strategy with the official opening of a new branch in Ntungamo Municipality, bringing its total network to 11 branches established in Ankole and Kigezi subregions.
The expansion comes at a time of renewed optimism within Uganda’s cooperative sector. Speaking at the recent launch of the new branch, the SACCO Chairperson, Paul Kahigi Turyamureeba, praised Yoweri Museveni for backing the SACCO sector’s call to extend the income tax waiver for a further 10 years and for halting the supervision of large SACCOs by the Bank of Uganda.
The President’s support follows a decade-long tax exemption granted in 2007, which had been scheduled to expire in June 2027. After a recent meeting with leaders of the Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union Limited [UCSCU], the apex body for SACCOs in the country, Museveni said the central bank could instead concentrate on its other assigned roles.
“The President’s leadership has given us space and confidence to grow. We can now think beyond compliance costs and invest in our people, our branches and our members’ prosperity,” Kahigi stated.
He noted that the tax waiver has historically enabled SACCOs to reinvest in infrastructure, including constructing their own office premises and acquiring operational vehicles, thereby strengthening financial inclusion in rural areas.
Under the current framework, SACCOs continue to be supervised by the Registrar of Cooperatives in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC], the Microfinance Regulation Department in the Ministry of Finance, and the Bank of Uganda.
Kahigi argued that avoiding a shift to direct central bank oversight allows SACCOs to retain the operational flexibility needed to serve their distinct member base.
On the other hand, the General Manager, Johnbosco Atwijukire, said the KYAPS Ntungamo branch will reduce the logistical and transport burden on members who previously had to travel long distances to Rubaare or Ishaka to access financial services.
“This branch brings our services closer to our people. Through tailored products — particularly loans targeting young people and women — we are empowering members to launch their own income-generating activities,” Atwijukire said.
Further highlighting the SACCO’s specialised products, the Finance and Operations Manager, Osward Mwebaze, encouraged local institutions and farmers to take advantage of larger credit facilities.
Mwebaze specifically pointed to the “Kyapa Loan”, a product designed to help members secure land titles.
“Land ownership transforms families, and we are proud to support our members on that journey,” Mwebaze said, adding that institutions such as schools can now access loans of up to Shs 500 million.
Local leaders have welcomed the development as a catalyst for the area’s economy. Juliet Mpamize Bikuru, LC5 Councillor for Ntungamo Municipality Western Division, said the presence of KYAPS would significantly boost agricultural productivity and business activity within the district.
Founded 28 years ago in 1998, KYAPS has grown into one of Uganda’s most prominent financial cooperatives. Its network now spans several districts, including Bushenyi, Rubirizi, Mitooma, Kanungu, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge and Mbarara, serving tens of thousands of members across the region.
https://thecooperator.news/bushenyi-pdm-sacco-chairperson-remanded-over-extortion-allegations/
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