Minister cancels Special General Meeting of cooperative society, summons stakeholders to Kampala
KAMPALA, 11 February 2025 – The State Minister for Cooperatives, Frederick Ngobi Gume, recently cancelled a Special General Meeting of the Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society Limited, citing credible information that certain individuals intended to cause disruption at the meeting venue.
Following the cancellation of the meeting, which was originally scheduled for February 7, 2025 at the premises of Banyankole Kweterana Cooperative Union, Gume convened a preparatory meeting with several government officials, members of the interim select committee of the cooperative, and others, which is slated to be held today at the Ministry’s boardroom.
“A special general meeting to resolve issues concerning Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society was scheduled for Friday, 7 February 2025, at Banyankole Kweterana Cooperative Union in Mbarara. However, this Ministry has received intelligence indicating that a group of people intends to cause chaos at the venue. As a result, my office has decided to hold a preparatory meeting with key stakeholders to ensure the success of a fruitful and productive Special General Meeting,” stated the minister in his letter dated February 5, 2024.
In a letter, Gume invited the Resident District Commissioners, district commercial officers from the districts of Mbarara, Rwampara, and Ntungamo, as well as Mbarara City, former board members, and members of the interim select committee of the cooperative society to attend the preparatory meeting.
However, Charles Twebaze, a delegate from Ruhama Sub-county in Ntungamo district, criticised Gume for summoning only a select group of individuals to discuss the cooperative’s affairs in Kampala, despite the society having over 1,300 members. He argued that the Kampala meeting was unnecessary, and the minister should have allowed members to hold a Special General Meeting as planned earlier.
“They [ Ministry of Trade] called for a Special General Meeting BUT realised that genuine members of the cooperative would outnumber them on key decisions, they began alleging that we intended to cause trouble. This is simply the minister’s justification for preparatory meeting with a few members who are more likely to align with his decisions,” Twebaze remarked.
He emphasised that the cooperative’s members would not relent until those responsible for the mismanagement of the Shs 9.6 billion compensation money were held accountable.
“What I want to say is that we will persist. A few individuals summoned to Kampala will not decide on our behalf. Firstly, we suspended the interim committee because of their collusion and conspiracy with ministry officials, meaning they have no legal authority to make decisions on our behalf. Therefore, we will not accept any decision made by them in collaboration with the Minister in Kampala,” Twebaze explained.
He further pointed out that repeatedly calling off the AGM was merely a delay tactic aimed at frustrating the members, though he made it clear that this would not deter them from pursuing the matter.
Johnson Muhumuza, a cooperative member from Kinoni Town Council, told this reporter that unless the minister appoints an independent person to chair the special general meeting, the meeting should not proceed, despite a select few being summoned to Kampala for a preparatory meeting.
Three individuals, Elly Beinomugisha [Secretary], Joy Ashaba [Treasurer], and Emmanuel Ahimbisibwe [Member], were arrested and later released on police bond after repaying part of the stolen money. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Background
Rwampara Ranching Cooperative Society Limited was established on 20 January 1969 and covers nine sub-counties in Greater Ankole, including Ntungamo, Ndeija, Ruhama, Itojo, Rwikiniro, Rukoni, Rugando, Bugamba, and Nyakayojo. In 1993, the government confiscated 4 square miles of the cooperative’s land without compensation. After a protracted legal battle, the cooperative won its case against the government, leading to compensation of over Shs 9.6 billion in 2024.
https://thecooperator.news/members-threaten-to-boycott-rwampara-coop-agm-after-two-delays/
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