Acting Board steps up efforts to revive Okoro Coffee Growers Cooperative Union
ZOMBO, April 9, 2026 — The Acting Board of Okoro Coffee Growers Cooperative Union [OCGCU], led by Zombo District Commercial Officer Lamec Ulum, who is also serving as chairperson, has intensified efforts to mobilise members of primary societies as part of a broader drive to revive the once-defunct union.
The move follows a court order appointing an interim board to oversee the union’s management until an Annual General Meeting [AGM] is convened to elect a new substantive leadership.
In a landmark ruling delivered on April 1, 2026, the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala dismissed a case filed by former board chairman Benard Olar against the Attorney General and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, in which he had challenged the dissolution of the union’s leadership.
The outgoing board, whose term is nearing expiry, has faced sustained criticism over alleged poor management, which critics say led to the collapse of the union’s operations, leaving farmers frustrated.
Despite members approving a budget of Shs 2.56 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year, the union failed to purchase coffee from its members.
Earlier, in October 2025, during a meeting at Daudi Courts in Paidha Town Council, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Robert Bariyo Barigye, dissolved the board led by Olar. An Acting Board was subsequently installed, comprising zonal leaders of primary cooperative societies, including James Cekecan Apoi, alongside Zombo District councillors for production Denis Dongwa Umika and Susan Canwegu.
The decision was contested by the former board, prompting legal action that has now been resolved in favour of the interim leadership.
Ulum said the court ruling reaffirmed their mandate to serve as acting board members until a new board is elected through a formal AGM. The process will be overseen by Resident District Commissioners from Nebbi, Zombo and Arua, as well as the Zombo district LCV Chairperson and Chief Administrative Officer.
He revealed that the interim board has already mobilised and established structures in 19 primary societies and is working to cover the remaining 23 in preparation for the AGM.
“Special general meetings began on April 8, 2026, in the remaining primary societies, paving the way for a full AGM in May where new board members will be elected,” Ulum said.
He added that at least eight potential investors have expressed interest in partnering with the union.
Ulum urged coffee farmers to register with their respective primary societies to benefit from government-provided free seedlings.
Zombo District Production Officer Dr Walter Kumakech expressed optimism about the union’s recovery, noting that key infrastructure, including huller machines at the factory, remains functional and that cooperative societies still retain their assets.
He called on households to join primary cooperative societies as a means of tackling poverty.
“We are working hard to ensure the union becomes fully operational again,” Kumakech said, adding that the government has also supplied free fertilisers to support the rehabilitation of ageing coffee plantations.
He further encouraged extension workers in sub-counties and town councils to support farmers with technical guidance and supervision, while urging youth, women and veteran members to actively participate in rebuilding the union.
OCGCU serves the West Nile sub-region, covering Arua, Nebbi, Paidha, Pakwach and Zombo districts. The union has more than 8,000 members, who collectively produce between 10,000 and 15,000 metric tonnes of coffee annually.
https://thecooperator.news/zombo-reviews-pdm-progress-amid-calls-for-accountability/
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