MASINDI, February 10, 2025 – The Registrar of Cooperatives and Commissioner for Cooperative Policy and Development, Robert Bariyo Barigye, has inaugurated the new board of Bunyoro Growers’ Cooperative Union to lead the organisation for the next four years.
The new board which was inaugurated on Friday is chaired by Wilson Byaruhanga, who was elected last month during the union’s annual general meeting at Kigumba Cooperative College in Kiryandongo district.
Byaruhanga succeeds Philemon Bagada Rugaju, who has served the board in various capacities for nearly thirty years. Byaruhanga is deputised by Justus Kyalisiima , Xavier Kamanyi [Treasurer]. Other board members include Hisea Tinkasiimire, Henry Byabasaija, Hosea Muhigwa, Simon Balikenda, and Sabiti Mbabazi.
Old board commended
In his inaugural address, Barigye commended the outgoing board for their resilience in overcoming challenges. “To see that we are able to meet here and organise this inauguration is not something we should take for granted. I hope that the new board will build on the achievements of the previous one,” he said.
Improving services for members
Barigye emphasised the importance of improving services for members under the new leadership. “As a union, you must remain relevant to the primary societies. If you fail to do so, they will lose interest and no longer see value in the union. The primary societies should be integral to the union’s activities. I urge you to return to the ground and engage with these societies as a means of reawakening them,” he advised.
Tapping into opportunities
He also encouraged the new leadership to explore new, profitable ventures for the union. “There are new opportunities that the union can take advantage of. For instance, how can a union based in the oil region supply nothing to the oil industry? You could be one of the major suppliers to the oil sector. Ensure you develop a clear strategy and play a key role in the oil and gas value chain. The oil is here, the pipeline is here, and the refinery is here – make sure you benefit from these opportunities,” he said.
Transparency and accountability
Barigye urged the new board to foster transparency, governance, and accountability. “Every board member, as well as leaders of the primary societies and delegates, must play a role in strengthening the primary societies. This will ultimately make the union more robust. Achieving this will require transparency, good governance, and accountability,” he remarked.
Outgoing Chairman reflects on his legacy
The outgoing Chairperson, Philemon Bagada Rugaju, reflected on the achievements of his tenure, which included securing compensation of Shs 2.5 billion. This amount was used to establish a maize milling machine, an animal feeds processing plant, a coffee processing machine, among other initiatives. Rugaju mentioned that he would provide a detailed report during the official handover.
Incoming Chairman to continue with good practices of governance
The incoming Chairperson, Wilson Byaruhanga, promised to adopt the good practices of governance established by the outgoing leadership. “We will analyse the plans and projects in place, prioritise them, and ensure their implementation. We will also ensure that the principles of cooperatives are adhered to,” he said.
He also called on the government to support the union through its line ministry to help achieve its goals. “As a board, we have a significant role in ensuring that all our cooperative societies are operational and relevant to the benefit of all cooperators,” he added, highlighting that the union has the facilities needed to increase its patronage with the primary cooperatives.
Among these facilities are the Hoima industrial unit, which houses the maize milling machine, animal feeds processing plant, and a rice polisher. The union also has the Masindi Ginnery, Kokoitwa Ranch in Kimengo, storage facilities at the head office for bulking grain, a coffee processing machine in Masindi, and a garage workshop in Masindi.
Collaborating for growth
Moses Kalyegira, the Masindi District Commercial Officer, pledged to work with the new board to restore the former glory of the Bunyoro Growers’ Cooperative Union. “My office will work closely with you to engage the primary societies and ensure that youth are also recruited into the union,” Kalyegira said.
Geoffrey Bigabwa, the Secretary for Production in Masindi District, acknowledged the importance of cooperatives in fostering development. “I would like to thank the government for recognising the significance of cooperatives in advancing the development of the people and for creating an enabling environment to ensure their revival. My wish is for you to restore this great union, as it has been a catalyst for development in the past,” he said.
About Bunyoro Growers’ Cooperative Union
The Bunyoro Growers’ Cooperative Union, which comprises 130 primary cooperatives, was formed and registered in 1954 to offer marketing services to its primary cooperative societies. These societies faced challenges in finding markets for members’ crops, such as coffee, cotton, and other produce.
Other services provided by the union include extending credit, training cooperators, transporting produce, delivering agricultural inputs, and offering advisory extension services. However, the union’s operations were severely disrupted by the 1980s liberation war, during which several of its assets, including tractors, workshops, lorries, trucks, a cotton ginnery, and livestock, were destroyed.
https://thecooperator.news/bunyoro-growers-cooperative-union-bags-shs-2bn-compensation-cash/
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