KAMCE members demand overdue AGM
Under the Cooperative Societies [Amendment Act], 2022, every cooperative is required to convene an AGM annually
KAPCHORWA, November 24, 2025 — Members of the Kaserem Area Cooperative Marketing Enterprise [KAMCE], based in Kaserem Subcounty in Kapchorwa district, are demanding that their leaders urgently convene an overdue Annual General Meeting [ AGM ], which has not been held since 2023.
Growing frustration among members has raised serious concerns about transparency, financial accountability and the weakening of governance structures within one of the district’s most prominent farmer organisations.
KAMCE brings together hundreds of farmers across the Sebei Sub-region, specialising in the bulking and marketing of maize, beans, wheat, coffee and other agricultural produce.
For years, it has played a crucial role in improving household incomes and strengthening farmers’ collective bargaining power. However, the absence of an AGM for two consecutive years has left many members feeling sidelined and uninformed.
Under the Cooperative Societies [Amendment Act], 2022, every cooperative is required to convene an AGM annually. This is the most important meeting on the cooperative calendar, where audited financial reports are presented, leaders elected or replaced, policies adopted, and members given the opportunity to question management. With the last AGM held in 2023, members say their constitutional rights have been violated.
“We last had an AGM in 2023, and since then nothing has come out,” said a member of the Board of Directors, who requested anonymity.
“We need accountability. We need financial reports. We need elections. You cannot keep members waiting for two years and expect us to stay silent.”
His concerns are echoed by Razia Chelangat, who says the prolonged delay has created doubt about the leadership’s intentions.
“A cooperative is built on trust. If leaders avoid the AGM, it means they don’t want to face the members,” she said. “We deserve to know what happened in 2023, 2024, and even in the ongoing season.”
Key issues behind the demand for the AGM
Lack of financial accountability
Members say no audited financial statements have been shared for the last two years. Without a breakdown of revenues from produce sales, grants, membership fees and expenditures, many fear funds may have been mismanaged.
Stalled cooperative projects
Planned projects, including upgrading the produce store, acquiring new weighing equipment, and launching a revolving input fund, have not materialised. Members note that the AGM is the only forum where progress on such initiatives can be scrutinised.
Delayed payments to farmers
Some farmers report delays in receiving payment for produce delivered to the cooperative. Others say they hear rumours of debts owed by the cooperative, but without an AGM these concerns remain unresolved.
Failure to review performance
KAMCE has not reviewed its 2023/2024 performance nor developed strategic plans for the current and upcoming seasons. Members fear the cooperative is losing its competitive edge to neighbouring cooperatives in Kapchorwa and beyond.
Unclear utilisation of donor support
Members say the cooperative has received capacity-building support from development partners, yet no accountability has been provided on how these resources were used.
Leadership responds
A Board Member who preferred not to be named acknowledged the delay but insisted the leadership is not acting in bad faith.
“We delayed mainly because the audits for 2024 are not completed,” he said. “We also had internal conflicts between committees, which slowed things down. We want to call an AGM that is organised and backed by proper financial documents.”
However, members argue that internal disagreements cannot justify such a prolonged delay.
“Internal disagreements are normal, but they cannot stop a whole cooperative from functioning,” said Simon Magwali from Kabeywa Subcounty. “Let them bring the issues to the AGM and members will decide. That is how cooperatives work.”
District commercial officer unreachable
Ordinarily, the District Commercial Officer [DCO] is responsible for overseeing cooperatives, enforcing compliance and ensuring that AGMs are held annually.
However, repeated attempts by this reporter to obtain a comment from Kapchorwa DCO, Yeko Justin, went unanswered.
Farmers also say they have tried to reach the DCO but have received no clear guidance.
“We expected the DCO to intervene or guide us on this AGM issue, but she has not responded,” said Winnie Chebet, a cooperative member. “Her silence leaves us wondering whether the system is failing us.”
Growing frustration among farmers
Many fear the governance vacuum within KAMCE may weaken its marketing position, especially as competition from other cooperatives and private buyers intensifies.
“We cannot negotiate better prices or contracts when the cooperative is not organised,” said Magomu, another member. “Our neighbours in other subcounties have regular AGMs and are moving forward. Why are we stuck?”
Some members warn they may withdraw from the cooperative altogether if the AGM is not convened soon.
Conclusion
As pressure builds, KAMCE members insist that the AGM must be held without further delay. To them, the issue goes beyond procedure, it is about restoring transparency, trust and safeguarding a cooperative they have invested in for years.
With the leadership accused of dragging its feet and the DCO reportedly unresponsive, uncertainty continues to grow.
What remains clear is that members are determined to reclaim accountability and push for their rights, whether leadership acts voluntarily or under mounting pressure.
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