KIKUUBE, August 14, 2025 – Managers of cooperatives, including Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs] in Kikuube district, have been urged to uphold good governance, particularly transparency and accountability, if these entities are to thrive and serve the interests of their members.
Kikuube District Senior Commercial Officer, Fatuma Businge, expressed concern over the collapse of several cooperatives in the district, attributing their failure to mismanagement by leaders who prioritised personal gain over members’ interests.
Speaking recently to leaders and members of the Buhumuriro Tukorerehamwe Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited in Kikuube Town Council, Businge noted that many previously successful cooperatives have fallen apart due to poor leadership, and management.
“There is an urgent need for cooperative managers to practise transparency and accountability,” she said. “These are fundamental to the growth and sustainability of any cooperative society.”
She further warned leaders against the misuse of funds contributed by members, emphasising that responsible financial management is essential for long-term success.
John Ariguma, the Commercial Officer for Kikuube Town Council, commended the farmers for forming a cooperative [Buhumuriro Tukorerehamwe Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited], stating that cooperatives play a key role in community development.
He encouraged members to adhere to cooperative principles, which empower individuals, promote shared benefits, and contribute to collective progress.
Josephat Friday, Chairperson of the Buhumuriro Tukorerehamwe Cooperative Society Limited, reported steady growth, and invited more farmers to join.
He shared that the cooperative evolved from a small farmers’ group founded in 2017 with just nine members but has now grown to 250 farmers cultivating maize, beans, soya beans, groundnuts, sugarcane, and coffee, among other crops.
Member George Mpamire praised the cooperative for improving members’ access to affordable credit, collective marketing, and bulk purchasing. “We no longer rely on moneylenders who charge exorbitant interest rates and seize property when we default,” he said.
He also highlighted the potential for local farmers to supply organisations such as the World Food Programme [WFP]. “WFP has been seeking maize from Kikuube district, but most farmers here have not been able to meet the required quantities. If we can scale up production, we can tap into such opportunities.”
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