KAMPALA, April 1, 2026 — Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC] has directed all teacher savings and credit cooperatives [ SACCOs ] affiliated to Walimu Cooperative Union to begin preparations for the union’s Annual General Meeting [AGM] scheduled for June 27, 2026.
In an official announcement published in one of the country’s leading dailies yesterday, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in the MTIC, Robert Bariyo Barigye, called on the SACCOs to make the necessary arrangements in line with statutory and governance requirements ahead of the meeting.
The Registrar urged all Walimu SACCOs to liaise with their respective District Commercial Officers for technical support, particularly in conducting mandatory external audits and organising internal elections.
SACCOs have been instructed to elect vetting committees, boards of directors, and other governance organs, as well as nominate delegates who will represent them at the union level.
According to the schedule, elections for the Walimu Cooperative Union Vetting Committee will be held on May 15, 2026. This will be followed by a Special General Meeting on June 27, 2026, during which the union will elect its board of directors and other key organs.
To facilitate the process, all affiliated SACCOs are required to submit a set of documents to the Registrar’s office no later than May 30, 2026. These include copies of certificates of registration and bylaws, updated membership lists with National Identification Number [NIN] details and contact information, and audited financial statements for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Additionally, SACCOs must provide proof of having held AGMs for the same period, nomination letters to the union, and clearance from the Union Secretariat.
The directive is part of efforts by the Ministry to strengthen governance, accountability, and compliance within the cooperative movement, particularly among teacher SACCOs under the Walimu Cooperative Union.
The Walimu Cooperative Union is a national umbrella body bringing together teachers’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs] across Uganda. It was formed to strengthen financial inclusion and economic empowerment within the education sector.
Established in response to the rapid growth of teacher SACCOs and the need for coordinated support, the Union provides a central platform for collaboration, capacity-building, and advocacy. Prior to its formation, many SACCOs operated in isolation, often facing challenges related to limited capital, weak governance structures, and restricted access to affordable financing.
The Union’s creation marked a shift towards collective organisation, enabling member SACCOs to pool resources, standardise operations, and amplify their voice in national policy discussions. It operates under the broader cooperative framework supervised by the MTIC.
Membership comprises teacher-based SACCOs drawn mainly from primary, secondary schools. Through these affiliates, the Union indirectly serves the teachers, positioning itself as a key player in Uganda’s cooperative movement.
Its core mandate includes strengthening institutional capacity among member SACCOs, promoting a savings culture, facilitating access to affordable credit, and improving governance and accountability. The Union also organises annual general meetings, leadership training programmes, and sector-wide engagements aimed at enhancing professionalism within the cooperative space.
In recent years, the Walimu Cooperative Union has increasingly focused on modernising SACCO operations, including the adoption of digital financial services and improved financial management systems.
The Union remains central to efforts aimed at improving teachers’ welfare, reducing dependence on informal lenders, and fostering sustainable economic growth within the education community.
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