Mixed fortunes as BCU holds 64th AGM in Mbale City
BCU has at least 314 affiliated primary societies spread across the Bugisu Subregion, according to its Vice Chairperson, John Musila
MBALE CITY, April 8, 2025 ––Bugisu Cooperative Union Ltd [BCU], an Arabica coffee trading giant in Uganda held its 64th Annual General Meeting [AGM] on Friday, at its head office in Mbale City.
In spite of encountering various challenges throughout the year, the Union that covers districts of Mbale, Bududa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Namisindwa and Mbale City, realised remarkable achievements, reflecting steady growth and resilience.
While addressing the delegates, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Chairman of BCU, noted that the year under review had mixed fortunes.
On a positive note, revenue from clean coffee sales doubled from Shs 3.1 billion in 2023 to Shs 6 billion in 2024. However, farmer deliveries of parchment coffee dropped sharply from 589,000 kgs to just 167,280 kilogrammes. Nandala attributed the decline to poor harvests and farmers selling to private companies that have presence in Bugisu Subregion.
“In education, BCU supported 275 students with bursaries and tuition in various higher institutions across Uganda,” Nandala said.
Nandala also announced the Union had taken over the completion of the Musundi House Construction Project in Mbale City.
He raised concerns over Police Departments still occupying buildings of primary societies, saying it is affecting coffee buying operations of BCU.
To secure BCU’s future, Nandala called on delegates to mobilise farmers to plant and maintain coffee trees. Most of BCU’s coffee is grown on the slopes of Mt. Elgon which is known for having volcanic soils.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the AGM, State Minister for Cooperatives, Ngobi Gume Francis, urged farmers in Bugisu Subregion to back government efforts in coffee value addition. He said this would boost Uganda’s competitiveness on the global market.
The Minister also encouraged the Bamasaaba to consume their own coffee and strengthen the Union by selling through BCU.
On his part, Rev. Samuel Gidudu, Bishop of North Mbale Diocese, praised Nandala’s leadership, calling him “the Joseph of our generation.” He emphasised unity among the Bamasaaba as key to development.
Some of the coffee farmers from Bukyambi, Sironko say that since joining BCU, their earnings have doubled, expanded their farm, and educated their kids. They attributed all these to better training and market access.
BCU has at least 314 affiliated primary societies spread across the Bugisu Subregion, according to its Vice Chairperson, John Musila, the Bubulo East Member of Parliament.
https://thecooperator.news/bcu-to-renovate-primary-cooperative-societies-across-nine-zones/
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