KAMPALA, December 4, 2025 — Lira District–based Gomi Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited are the overall winners of the second edition of the annual Coop360º Innovations Award, organised by the Uhuru Institute for Social Development [TUI].
The cooperative society beat other finalists including URA SACCO [Kampala City], Budaka Emyooga Carpenters SACCO [Budaka district], Kigarama People’s SACCO [Bushenyi district], Greater Kamuli Agribusiness Cooperative [Kamuli district] and Lira Garments Cooperative Society Limited [Lira district].
The second edition of the Coop360º Innovations Award began in November 2024, attracting 25 applications from across Uganda. Following verification, eight cooperatives met the selection criteria and were visited and assessed during regional pitching events. Six finalists then qualified for the grand finale in Kampala.
Gomi Multipurpose Cooperative Society, located in Agali Sub-county, received a dummy cheque for Shs 20 million after presenting its innovation at the Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo, where Uganda, in partnership with the African Union and other organisations, hosted Africa Industrialisation Week from November 17-21, 2025.
The cooperative focuses on agriculture, particularly the production of oilseeds such as sunflower, soybean and simsim. It supports farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers, credit facilities and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. Its creativity, passion and commitment to community-led solutions continue to redefine Uganda’s cooperative landscape.
“We are awarding the most innovative cooperatives based on several parameters, including the relevance of the problem addressed, originality, value to members and the wider community, implementation, scalability, inclusivity and sustainability,” said Leonard Okello, TUI Chief Executive Officer.
He added that through the 360 Innovations Award, TUI aims to highlight the pivotal role of innovation in positioning cooperatives as drivers of socio-economic development.
On the other hand, Kigarama People’s SACCO was named First Runner-up and received a cheque of Shs 10mln. It was recognised for its commitment to financial inclusion and community-centred innovation. URA SACCO emerged Second Runner-up. Its innovation team was praised for developing forward-thinking projects and demonstrating strong dedication to member empowerment.
Founded in 2009 with just 30 members, the Second Runner-up URA SACCO received a cheque of Shs 5mln. It boasts more than 4,000 members and serves both current and former URA staff. “Our focus remains supporting members on their journey towards financial freedom,” said Manager Patrick Okello.
The second edition of the Coop360º Innovations Award is powered by TUI in partnership with the Bank of Uganda, Stanbic Bank, the African Union, NTV Uganda, Goldstone Consulting, Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics, theCooperator magazine and other partners.
The Coop360º Network Innovations Award is a prestigious initiative that identifies, documents, evaluates, amplifies and rewards cooperatives that have developed adaptive solutions to enhance membership value, strengthen business operations, and build community resilience and competitiveness under the theme “Cultivate, Invent, Impact”.
Speaking at the event, the State Minister for Cooperatives, Fred Gume Ngobi, commended TUI for organising the awards. He emphasised the significant role of cooperatives in national development, noting that they have great potential to address key economic challenges.
Ngobi highlighted persistent constraints faced by cooperatives, particularly their limited focus on savings. He encouraged cooperatives to explore additional business opportunities, especially production, to fully benefit from the Preferential Trade Area.
The minister underscored the limited value addition among agricultural cooperatives, saying that while they excel in producing raw materials, they are missing opportunities for job creation and increased revenue. He further noted that the high cost of financing remains a major barrier to growth and innovation.
He urged cooperatives to be innovative and to define a clear niche in order to stand out and compete effectively.
Meanwhile, Ron Osman Omar, Director of Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism at the African Union Commission, applauded TUI for organising the Innovation, Industry and Entrepreneurship [IIEN] Africa Convention as a parallel event to Africa Industrialisation Week.
She stressed the need for cooperatives to play a central role in industrial development, given their convening power.
She added that Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area [AfCFTA] can greatly benefit from cooperative-driven opportunities in industry. She encouraged participants to make the most of discussions aimed at shaping a more industrialised Africa, noting that all developed nations have advanced through sustained investment in industry.
The 360 Innovations Award event also formed part of the Africa Industrialisation and Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, organised by TUI in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the Global Entrepreneurs Network and the Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics.
TUI Operations Director Jane Amuge Okello said the COOP 360 Innovation Award, launched in 2023, was created to shed light on the challenges faced by cooperatives and the role of innovation in driving development. “Through our work and the COOP 360 Innovation Awards, we appreciate innovation and its role in developing cooperatives. We are enabling cooperatives to realise their goals by building dreams and shaping mindsets,” she said.
The cooperatives which were awarded lauded TUI for the initiative and pledged to improve their innovations to serve members and the communities better.
TUI is a social business providing training, business development support, coaching, mentorship, microfinance, media, and digital services to cooperatives. TUI also contributes to inclusive green socio-economic transformation.
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