ZOMBO, September 20, 2025 – Former State Minister for Energy, Eng. Simon D’Ujanga, has called on government to prioritise support for cooperative societies as a key pathway to unlocking community development across Uganda.
D’Ujanga, who is seeking a fourth term as Member of Parliament for Okoro County in Zombo district, stressed the urgent need for strategic government funding to well-established cooperatives in order to economically empower citizens, especially women and youth who form majority of the country’s population.
Speaking in a recent interview, D’Ujanga said revamping traditional cooperative societies could enable farmers to collectively bargain for better prices and reduce exploitation by middlemen.
“If the government puts more effort into reviving cooperative societies, farmers would be empowered to negotiate fair prices for their produce. Currently, they are at the mercy of middlemen,” he stated.
He pointed out that the lack of strong cooperative structures is hindering community development, with prices for crops like coffee and bananas often dictated by traders rather than producers themselves.
“In places like Zombo, we’ve seen coffee and banana prices being set by middlemen. A functioning cooperative union would allow farmers to bulk and market their produce at more competitive rates,” D’Ujanga added.
Having represented Okoro County in Parliament for over 15 years before losing his seat in 2021 to incumbent MP Gabriel Okumu, D’Ujanga believes Uganda’s socio-economic transformation requires committed leadership that can effectively lobby for resources to support grassroots initiatives such as cottage industries.
Community voices echo call for action
Ofoi-Mungu Nestore, a resident of Abanga in Okoro County, echoed the former minister’s sentiments, urging political leaders to focus on tangible development such as rural road infrastructure, electricity connections, and strengthened cooperative movements to create sustainable income for communities.
“We need leaders who understand their roles and bring real development, not those who offer petty handouts with no lasting impact,” he said.
Farmers in Zombo also highlighted the continued struggles they face. Collins Oromchan, a local farmer, lamented the weakness of producer cooperatives and the burden of high interest rates that prevent them from expanding their agricultural ventures.
“We are trying to grow, but producer cooperatives are weak, and high interest rates make it hard to practise large-scale farming. We need government intervention,” Oromchan said.
He further accused the government of failing farmers by allowing the distribution of fake seeds, which he claimed was a result of political interference.
“Many times, farmers receive fake seeds, and our leaders stay silent because some of these seed companies are owned by politicians. That’s why no one is speaking up,” he alleged.
With the 2026 general elections approaching, the revival of cooperative societies is emerging as a critical issue in Okoro County and beyond, as communities look to leaders who can champion inclusive development and economic empowerment from the ground up.
https://thecooperator.news/south-africa-outlines-interventions-to-boost-local-cooperatives/
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