KYANKWANZI, July 23, 2026 — Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs] must strengthen governance, risk management, capitalisation and member-centred leadership to remain resilient and play a greater role in Uganda’s economic transformation, cooperative leaders have said.
The call was made during the ongoing inaugural SACCO Leadership Summit 2026 organised by the Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union [UCSCU] at the National Leadership Institute [NALI], Kyankwanzi, bringing together more than 200 SACCO leaders, CEOs/Managers from across the country.
Held under the theme “Building a Resilient and Sustainable SACCO Ecosystem in Uganda,” the week-long summit is providing a platform for hundreds of cooperative leaders to reflect on the contribution of SACCOs towards financial inclusion, wealth creation and the country’s development agenda.
Speaking during the summit, Brig. Gen. Yusuf Magero Buha, Chief Executive Officer of Wazalendo SACCO, emphasised that resilience in the cooperative sector requires strong governance structures, robust risk management frameworks, a solid capital base and inclusive leadership.
He noted that these elements would enable SACCOs to respond effectively to emerging challenges while positioning them to support Uganda’s projected economic growth.
“Achieving resilience requires strong governance, robust risk management, a solid capital base and inclusive leadership,” Brig. Gen. Buha said, urging SACCO leaders to focus on strategies that match the country’s economic ambitions.
He also encouraged leaders to prioritise understanding and responding to members’ needs, saying that informed decision-making depends on continuous assessment of member demands, data-driven choices and improved operational efficiency.
“Addressing member needs drives informed decisions. SACCOs must continuously evaluate demands, make data-based choices and enhance operational efficiency,” Buha said yesterday.
Governance, trust and innovation key to sustainability
During the official opening of the summit on Monday, Prof. Dr. Ezra Suruma, a former Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Bank of Ugandan Governor, highlighted governance, transparency and innovation as critical pillars for the future success of Uganda’s cooperative movement.
Suruma said SACCOs are important vehicles for expanding financial inclusion and improving livelihoods, particularly among communities that remain underserved by conventional financial institutions.
He urged smaller SACCOs to strengthen collaboration and increase their capital capacity so that they can provide better services to members and build stronger institutions capable of withstanding economic shocks.
He further emphasised that strong institutional systems, accountability and member-focused services are essential for building public confidence and securing members’ savings.
SACCOs encouraged to tap into emerging opportunities
Representing the Uganda Cooperative Alliance [UCA], General Secrerary Ivan Asiimwe delivered a presentation on “Advocacy and Opportunities for Cooperation,” highlighting the importance of strategic positioning for SACCOs to benefit from opportunities within Uganda’s financial ecosystem.
Asiimwe encouraged SACCOs to strengthen engagement with key institutions and programmes, including the Bank of Uganda (BoU), Microfinance Support Centre [MSC], Parish Development Model [PDM]/Parish Revolving Fund initiatives and Uganda Development Bank [UDB].
He said proactive partnerships with these institutions would improve SACCOs’ access to financing, technical support, capacity building and other growth opportunities.
The UCA General Secretary also highlighted the Farmers’ Organisations for Rural Transformation [FORT] Project, implemented by UCA, as an opportunity for SACCOs to expand their membership base by integrating organised smallholder farmers into the cooperative financial system.
He noted that linking farmer organisations with SACCOs would increase access to affordable financial services, strengthen rural economies and promote inclusive development.
SACCOs critical to national development agenda
The summit comes at a time when cooperatives are being positioned as key partners in advancing Uganda’s National Development Plan [NDP] and Vision 2040 through deeper financial inclusion, enterprise development and improved household incomes.
Col. Allan Kitanda, Chairperson of the UCSCU Board, said that amid global economic changes and rapid technological disruption, building sustainable cooperatives was essential for long-term institutional resilience.
He called on SACCO leaders to embrace innovation and strengthen their institutions to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive financial environment.
The summit continues with presentations, discussions and experience-sharing sessions aimed at equipping SACCO leaders with practical strategies to improve performance, strengthen governance and build sustainable, member-focused cooperative financial institutions.
In his closing remarks, Asiimwe urged SACCO leaders to uphold cooperative values by placing members at the centre of their operations while maintaining transparency, accountability and sound governance.
He said a stronger SACCO movement would contribute significantly to Uganda’s efforts to create wealth, improve livelihoods and achieve inclusive economic growth.
https://thecooperator.news/saccos-key-to-ugandan-control-of-the-economy-says-former-bou-governor/
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