Registrar rejects BKCU leaders’ bid to relocate crucial meeting to Mbarara
The meeting, which will deliberate on the official supervision and inspection report into the union’s affairs, will proceed as initially planned to take place in the boardroom of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC] in Kampala
MBARARA CITY, December 18, 2025 – The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Robert Bariyo Barigye, has rejected a request by the leadership of the Banyankole Kweterana Cooperative Union Limited [BKCU] to change the venue of a crucial meeting examining the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the union’s ranch compensation funds.
The meeting, which will deliberate on the official supervision and inspection report into the union’s affairs, will proceed as initially planned to take place in the boardroom of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC] in Kampala.
This follows an earlier letter that Barigye issued, summoning BKCU leaders to Kampala after an inspection conducted between November 5 and 7, 2025. The inspection was prompted by a whistleblower’s complaint alleging mismanagement of the union’s operations and misappropriation of funds received from MTIC to revitalise its core coffee business.
Union cites cost concerns
In response to the invitation, the BKCU Board Chairman, Ainamani Abaasa Rubaromba, wrote to the Registrar requesting that the meeting, also involving the State House Anti-Corruption Unit [SHACU], be held at the union’s head office in Mbarara City instead.
Rubaromba argued that it would be costly for the union to facilitate and transport the entire board and management to Kampala, noting that the journey from Mbarara was “not a simple one”.
Registrar cites high-level attendance
However, in a letter dated December 15, 2025, Registrar Barigye maintained Kampala as the official venue, citing the need to accommodate special government investigators.
“Please note that the Ministry’s top leadership and officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit [SHACU] have expressed keen interest in attending this meeting on the designated day and at the planned venue as communicated to you,” the letter stated.
Barigye added that, due to their demanding schedules, the officials would be unable to travel to Mbarara.
“Due to their busy schedules, they are unable to travel to Mbarara as you are proposing. Regrettably, therefore, your request to change the venue cannot be granted,” he wrote.
Reiterating his final decision, Barigye said: “The purpose of this letter is to inform you that your request to change the venue for the meeting has not been granted and to reiterate that the meeting will take place on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10.00 am in the Ministry boardroom as earlier planned.”
According to some officials from MTIC, BKCU has so far received Shs 9.55 billion in compensation for the ranch that government took over and distributed to squatters.
It remains unclear whether the BKCU board and management will comply with the directive to attend the highly anticipated meeting in Kampala on December 19, 2025.
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