Kitgum taxi cooperative begins process for permanent registration

KITGUM, May 7, 2026 — The Kitgum Taxi Owners and Drivers Cooperative Society Limited has begun the process of adopting new bylaws after reporting the loss of its original documents to police, in a move aimed at securing permanent registration and resolving a prolonged leadership dispute that led to the closure of its offices in April.

Christopher Komakech Geoffrey, the Vice Chairperson of the Kitgum Taxi Owners and Drivers Association [KITODA], said their cooperative had complied with procedures set by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC] by filing a police report and advertising the loss in newspapers before drafting new bylaws.

“We have reported the loss of our bylaws to the police and advertised in the newspaper,” Komakech said. “After the advert is published, a special meeting will be convened for members to adopt the new bylaws, after which they will be submitted to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives for approval.”

He said the process was intended to secure permanent registration from the Registrar of Cooperatives in MTIC, and improve the smooth running of the cooperative.

The move follows a special meeting convened by KITODA members and board officials to address disputes between the two sides. Members accused the board of failing to account for the cooperative’s activities, leading to the closure of the offices on April 27 and the suspension of revenue collection.

Amos Ochora Qaddafi, one of the members, said the board had ignored concerns raised by members during its four years in office.

“The board members were not doing what the members wanted during the four years they have been in office,” Ochora said.

“The board members threatened members whenever issues were raised, but they continued to ignore our concerns for a long time,” he added.

Ochora also alleged widespread bribery within the cooperative, claiming some board members accepted bribes from errant drivers who failed to follow regulations governing operations at the bus park.

KITODA was formed in 2014 with 31 members. By 2022, membership had grown to 170, although only 40 members were actively saving through the cooperative. That same year, the cooperative’s certificate of registration expired, further complicating its operations.

The absence of valid bylaws, the key governing document for any cooperative society, has since prevented the organisation from carrying out major functions such as convening an Annual General Meeting [AGM] and electing new leaders.

Charles Darwin Opoka, the Kitgum Municipal Commercial Officer, said the board must first compile all the documents required by MTIC before fresh elections can be conducted.

“I asked the board members to compile all the documents required by the ministry so that they can conduct elections for new leaders,” Opoka said. “The election of new leaders can only take place once bylaws are in place during the Annual General Meeting.”

The bylaws outline rules governing membership, savings, elections and dispute resolution. Without them, the cooperative cannot legally hold an AGM or register new leaders with the ministry.

According to Komakech, the upcoming special meeting will allow members to formally adopt new bylaws to replace the lost ones before submission to the ministry for approval.

“This is one of the steps aimed at ensuring the cooperative society obtains permanent registration and operates smoothly,” he said.

https://thecooperator.news/kitgum-recovers-over-shs-6mln-in-pdm-scam-three-parish-leaders-jailed/

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