Shuuku SACCO distributes coffee seedlings to boost production in Ankole Sub-region

SHEEMA, October 21, 2025 – Shuuku Cooperative Savings and Credit Society Limited [Shuuku SACCO] has launched a coffee seedling distribution campaign aimed at boosting coffee production and improving the livelihoods of its members in Ankole Sub-region.

The initiative, part of the SACCO’s corporate social responsibility, seeks to financially empower members by supporting coffee farming, Uganda’s leading export crop.

Speaking at the launch, Stephen Bongonzya, Chairman of the Shuuku SACCO Board, said the distribution was in direct response to a request made by members during the Annual General Meeting held in March 2025.

“Most of our members are coffee farmers,” he said. “By providing them with quality seedlings, we are not only meeting their request but also upholding the cooperative principle of community support.”

Improved seedlings distributed

In partnership with Banyankole Kweterana Cooperative Union [BKCU], the SACCO acquired 3,500 improved coffee cuttings. These have been distributed across Shuuku SACCO’s eight branches, with each of the 40 initial beneficiaries, five from each branch, receiving 100 seedlings free of charge.

The campaign specifically targets women and youth, in a bid to promote inclusivity and raise household incomes. “This time, we are giving to the youth and women to promote inclusive household income, which will in turn empower the SACCO to thrive,” Bongonzya added.

Strategic partnership with BKCU

The SACCO’s partnership with BKCU goes beyond seedlings. BKCU, known for its role in coffee value addition, also provides financial support to Shuuku SACCO, which is disbursed to members as part of a coffee loan scheme. Farmers repay the loans after harvesting and selling their produce back to BKCU.

“We have a strong partnership where BKCU provides funding to us under a fixed arrangement,” Bongonzya explained. “This money is loaned to our coffee-growing members, who then sell their harvest to BKCU for value addition, such as grinding, roasting, and export. We are complementing each other in this business.”

He encouraged members to diversify their agricultural activities to strengthen loan recovery. “We don’t only support coffee; we also have loan products for small-scale livestock farmers,” he said.

Bongonzya noted that this is only the beginning. “Last year, we distributed over 1,000 trees to promote environmental conservation. This time, we are distributing coffee, which is both a tree and a cash crop.”

A Strong return on investment

According to Bongonzya, the benefits of this initiative are both direct and indirect. “Once households earn more income, they’ll save and borrow more with us. So, we’re growing our business from the production end. We support production, and in return, we get financial growth.”

Herbert Ahimbisibwe, General Manager of Shuuku SACCO, revealed that the SACCO has so far invested Shs 2.5 billion into the coffee loan scheme.

Voices from the community

Beneficiaries have welcomed the initiative. Agnes Kyomukama, a member of the Shuuku SACCO expressed gratitude. “Each cutting would usually cost Shs 2,000. This support is timely, especially during the rainy season,” she said. “If these coffee seedlings do well, I’ll be able to pay my children’s school fees and improve our household income.”

Juliet Katusiime Baryaijuka, another beneficiary, praised the SACCO’s service and commitment. “I’ve benefited a lot. They offer quality services, have friendly staff, and have supported us with loans for our children’s education. I love coffee and had planned to buy more seedlings, so receiving these for free is a great relief.”

BKCU’s commitment to coffee farmers

Joseline Komujuni, General Manager of BKCU, affirmed the union’s commitment to boosting regional coffee production. “This is the second year we’re injecting funds into Shuuku SACCO, specifically for loans to coffee farmers in the Ankole sub-region,” she said.

She confirmed that farmers are given loans and, after harvest, sell their coffee to BKCU to boost its stock for export. “We already have a market for the coffee and want to encourage farmers to grow more,” she said.

Abaasa Ainemaani Rubaromba, Chairman of BKCU, noted that their partnership with Shuuku SACCO began in 2024 with an initial UGX 500 million investment, recently increased by another UGX 500 million, bringing the total to UGX 1 billion. He confirmed over 5,000 seedlings were provided in the first phase.

“We discovered that many Shuuku SACCO members are also part of BKCU. We’ve established coffee nurseries in Bwongyera [Ntungamo], Bushenyi, and Ndeija, with plans to open another in Ruhinda to meet farmer demand across the Ankole sub-region,” he said.

Rubaromba urged farmers to practise organic farming to enhance competitiveness in international markets and advised them to prepare their land before collecting seedlings. “Have your holes dug, add manure, and then collect the seedlings. These seedlings should not be exposed to sunlight unnecessarily,” he advised.

He reassured members that market access is guaranteed, citing BKCU’s involvement in coffee roasting, grinding, and exports. “We’re exporting, and even receiving enquiries from buyers in China, thanks to our high-quality coffee,” Rubaromba said.

A call for more partnerships

Rubaromba encouraged other SACCOs to partner with BKCU to expand coffee production in the region. “Sometimes farmers lack money to buy seedlings, but with our support, they can access quality seedlings and pay after harvesting,” he said.

BKCU offers elite seedlings at Shs 500 and cuttings at Shs 2,000, which he described as high-yielding and fast-maturing. “We’re pleased that some farmers are now coming to buy seedlings directly.”

He added that BKCU continues to offer financial support to Shuuku SACCO at low interest rates and flexible terms. “Through our funding, Shuuku SACCO supports farmers with manure, fertilisers, mulching, and new garden establishment. After harvest, the coffee is sold to BKCU, and farmers repay the loans through the SACCO.”

“This time, we’ve given out more than 5,000 coffee seedlings. We’re eager to partner with anyone willing to support our farmers. Our goal is to fight poverty by raising household incomes,” Rubaromba concluded.

He specifically called on SACCOs such as Mushanga, Jubilee, Butuuro, and EBO to join forces with BKCU to grow the coffee sector in the region.

Founded in 1997, Shuuku Savings and Credit Cooperative Society aims to offer affordable financial services to improve the livelihoods of its members. The SACCO currently has 13,931 members, operates eight branches, and holds total assets of Shs 15.01 billion with a gross loan portfolio of Shs 16.23 billion.

https://thecooperator.news/sheema-shuuku-sacco-boss-warns-against-loan-defaults/

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