Minister agrees with leaders of Rwampara Ranching Cooperative to hold delayed AGM
Kampala, February 13, 2025 – Leaders of Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society Limited have agreed with the State Minister for Cooperatives, Frederick Ngobi Gume, to hold their delayed elective Annual General Meeting [AGM], although the minister has yet to announce a date for the event.
The AGM has been postponed several times due to a misunderstanding among the members, as well as mistrust between the former board, and the current Interim Committee members, with the former board members being accused of misappropriation of funds belonging to the cooperative.
According to Rev. Asaph Kahinda Kahanguzi, the Interim Chairperson of the cooperative society, the agreement was made during a meeting on Tuesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Kampala. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Office of the President [Resident District Commissioners], the cooperative’s leaders, and the District Commercial Officers from Rwampara, Ntungamo, Mbarara, and Mbarara City.
Kahanguzi expressed satisfaction with the minister’s directives, which included the suspension of Robert Barigye Bariyo, the Registrar of Cooperatives, from overseeing the activities of the society as it prepares the AGM.
“It is a relief that Minister Gume ruled in our favour. We have achieved a significant victory, as the Registrar of Cooperatives has been removed from the affairs of Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society Limited,” he said.
Kahanguzi added that the minister also instructed that individuals who had conspired to remove legitimate members from the cooperative’s membership list should cease interfering with the society’s affairs.
The minister further directed that ministry officials would conduct a verification of the legitimate members of the cooperative before the AGM date is set, said Kahanguzi .
“A general assembly will soon determine the actual members eligible to attend the elective AGM, as agreed upon by representatives from the Office of the President, District Commercial Officers, and ministry officials. The list of attendees will be scrutinised,” noted Kahanguzi.
The Interim Chairman encouraged the cooperative’s members to participate in the verification exercise ahead of the AGM. “We urge members to come forward and verify their names for the upcoming AGM. Both beneficiaries and legitimate members will be registered, provided they have letters of administration,” he said.
Charles Twebaze, one of the cooperative’s members, welcomed the minister’s directives, expressing hope that the glory of Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society would soon be restored.
“At the AGM, we will elect a lawful and legitimate board, which will begin the process of reclaiming mismanaged ranch compensation funds, stolen animals, buildings, and other property illegally sold by the former board,” he alleged.
Twebaze further revealed that Minister Gume had pledged to call the AGM once President Yoweri Museveni concludes his Parish Development Model tour in western Uganda.
Minister Gume also indicated that Assistant Commercial Officer Seth Niwagaba would face disciplinary action for his interference with the membership lists of the cooperative.
“As a supervisor of cooperatives, there is no way you can act in a manner contrary to the instructions given to you without facing consequences. Who authorised him to list members as non-legitimate? Such actions are discriminatory and contrary to what we appointed him to do. In essence, he abused the office that was entrusted to him,” Minister Gume is quoted as saying during Tuesday’s meeting in Kampala.
https://thecooperator.news/members-threaten-to-boycott-rwampara-coop-agm-after-two-delays/
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