NAMISINDWA-Bugisu Cooperative Union [ BCU ] chairman Nathan Nandala Mafabi has told cooperative societies members who have failed to pay back the loans acquired from the union that they will be arrested individually.
Nandala who doubles as Budadiri West Member of Parliament, issued the warning during a recent zonal meeting organised by BCU at Bukhaweka Cooperative Society, Bubulo Zone in Namisindwa district.
The meeting with residents belonging to cooperative societies in Namisindwa district was attended by all BCU board members and religious leaders. It was chaired by Bishop Samuel Gidudu of North Mbale Diocese.
The primary cooperative societies in Bubulo Zone include Bukhaweka, Bunamawe, Bubulo, Buwagogo, Mayela Growers Cooperative Society, Shokoma Growers Cooperative Society, Nambola Growers Cooperative Society, and Buwele Growers Cooperative Society.
Others are; Wasunguyi, Mulemba Growers Cooperative Society, Namisindwa Growers Cooperative Society, Buweswa Growers Cooperative Society, and Bupoto Growers Cooperative Society among others.
Nandala said despite Bubulo Zone having 38 cooperative societies, only two sell their coffee to BCU. He blamed the rest of the cooperative societies for selling their coffee to private companies, adding that they are doing so having failed to pay their loans with BCU.
“Members borrowed money and disappeared. They don’t want to bring coffee in fear but we shall arrest industrials who signed for the money,” he warned.
Nandala said Bubulo Zone got eight scholarships for students going to study at universities.
He urged the primary cooperative societies to supply more coffee to BCU, adding that if they do so, they will get more scholarships.
“If we are united and bring our coffee to the societies, they will…get more benefits from the BCU,” Mafabi said.
Bagisu Sub-region, Nandala said, cannot blame God for poverty since he has enabled the region to grow the best coffee in the world.
“We have all messed up but let us come together and work for BCU, you can’t call me chairman when you are not bringing coffee to the Union so support us,” he said.
BCU Vice Chairperson John Musila who also doubles as Bubulo East MP, urged cooperators in Bugisu Sub-region to take their coffee to the union, saying it provides many benefits.
Eddy Wanambwa chairman Buwagogo Growers Cooperative Society Limited said zonal meetings have helped to identify the problems affecting primary societies and coffee farmers.
https://thecooperator.news/bcu-mobilises-coffee-farmers-offers-cheap-loans/
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