KAMPALA, June 28, 2025 –– As part of the lead-up to the International Day of Cooperatives [ CoopsDay ], set for July 5, 2025, cooperators from across Uganda gathered on Friday for a National Prayer Breakfast at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The event was marked by passionate appeals for unity, digital transformation, and a revitalised cooperative spirit to address today’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
Speaking t the function, Robert Waiswa Mpakibi, Assistant Commissioner for Cooperative Development at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC], called on cooperators in the country to embrace Information and Communication Technology [ICT] and Artificial Intelligence [AI] to modernise the cooperative movement.
“We must ask ourselves: why is ICT still not fully integrated into our cooperatives?” Mpakibi posed. “We are in an era of globalisation and digital innovation. If we fail to adapt, we risk being left behind.”
He noted that just as Uganda’s forefathers harnessed cooperation to build thriving towns such as Kampala, Mubende, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, and Jinja, the current generation must embrace innovation to shape the future.
“Let us reflect on our history and ask how we can work together using modern tools,” he urged.
Adding a spiritual perspective, Ivan Asiimwe, General Secretary of the Uganda Cooperative Alliance [UCA], cited biblical examples to illustrate the power of collective effort.
He also referred to the story of Moses and Joshua [in the Bible] working together to achieve victory, reinforcing the principle that progress cannot be achieved in isolation.
“There is no magic formula for African development while people continue working as individuals,” he warned, adding that a lack of shared vision remains a major obstacle to cooperative growth in Uganda.
Despite the challenges, Asiimwe expressed optimism, noting that Uganda now has over 46,000 registered cooperatives, a milestone he described as promising, provided it is paired with innovation and solidarity.
Bishop Habert Buyondo of the Kampala Born Again Faith and board member of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, echoed the call for unity in addressing poverty. He attributed the failure of many cooperatives to the absence of a collective vision.
“Today, poverty is seen as an individual burden,” he said. “But poverty cannot be fought alone, it must be confronted as a collective struggle.”
The bishop emphasised that successful cooperatives worldwide flourish when members unite around a common purpose, urging Ugandan cooperatives to adopt a shared mission, grounded in solidarity and collaboration.
The National Prayer Breakfast has set a reflective and inspirational tone ahead of International Day of Cooperatives celebrations. It underscored that faith, unity, and technology must go hand in hand to drive meaningful socio-economic transformation.
Uganda will join the global community in celebrating the CoopdDay on July 5, 2025. This year’s national celebrations will take place at Boma Grounds in Fort Portal City under the theme “Inclusive and Sustainable Development Driven by Cooperatives.” The event will spotlight the vital role cooperatives play in fostering economic growth, reducing poverty, and promoting social cohesion.
https://thecooperator.news/preparations-for-coopsday-2025-launched-in-fort-portal-city/
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