Uganda to celebrate International Day of Cooperatives in Fort Portal City ​

KAMPALA, May 26, 2025 –– The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives [MTIC] has announced plans to join the global community in celebrating the International Day of Cooperatives [CoopsDay] on Saturday, July 5, 2025. This annual event, observed on the first Saturday of July, highlights the critical role of cooperatives in fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities. ​

This year’s theme, “Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World,” underscores the importance of cooperatives in advancing social and economic development. ​ The celebrations will be co-hosted by Toro Dairy Cooperative Society Ltd and Busaiga SACCO, with the main event taking place at Boma Grounds in Fort Portal City. ​President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside as the Chief Guest. ​

The festivities will include a week-long series of activities, dubbed the Cooperative Week, leading up to the main event. ​ The MTIC, in collaboration with the Uganda Cooperative Alliance and other stakeholders, aims to increase awareness of the cooperative movement and showcase its successes. ​

Preparations for the event are already underway, with the first preparatory meeting scheduled for May 29, 2025, at the Uganda Cooperative Alliance. ​ Strategic partners in the cooperative movement have been invited to participate in the planning process to ensure the event’s success. ​

The Permanent MTIC Secretary, Lynette B. ​ Bagonza, emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating, “Your participation and insights are vital to the smooth planning and execution of the event, and will be invaluable in making the celebrations impactful and memorable.” ​

Stakeholders are encouraged to contact MTIC for more details. ​

‘‘We look forward to collaborating closely with you to showcase the strength and spirit of cooperatives in our community and beyond,’’ says Bagonza in a letter dated May 19, 2025, and sent to different stakeholders. ​

This year’s CoopsDay will serve as a flagship moment within the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives [IYC2025]—a once-in-a-decade opportunity to spotlight the critical role of cooperatives in building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.

A timely and transformative theme

As the world confronts intensifying economic and climate-related crises, persistent inequality, and fragile social protection systems, the 2025 CoopsDay theme calls attention to the powerful role of cooperatives in delivering evidence-based, people-centered solutions.

CoopsDay 2025 aligns with two major global policy processes:

The Second World Summit for Social Development [WSSD2], which will focus on social inclusion, poverty eradication, and sustainable development; and

The United Nations High-Level Political Forum [HLPF], which will review progress on SDGs 3 [Good Health and Well-being], 5 [Gender Equality], 8 [Decent Work and Economic Growth], 14 [Life Below Water], and 17 [Partnerships for the Goals].

Cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy worldwide—agriculture, finance, housing, health and care, education, energy, retail, industry and services… —and have consistently demonstrated their ability to advance social justice, economic democracy, and ecological sustainability while offering efficient, innovative and inclusive solutions to community needs.

“Across the globe, cooperatives are demonstrating that a values-driven enterprise approach can deliver real and lasting solutions. International Day of Cooperatives 2025 is a moment to recognise this collective strength and reaffirm our dedication to an inclusive and sustainable path forward,” said Douglas Jeroen, Director General of the ICA.

“This year’s theme reflects both the identity and urgency of the cooperative model,” said Wenyan Yang, Chair of the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives [COPAC]. “In a time of global uncertainty, cooperatives are showing that development can be democratic, inclusive, and rooted in solidarity. CoopsDay 2025 is our chance to amplify that message to the world.”

CoopsDay 2025: How to get involved

As part of IYC2025, CoopsDay offers a platform for cooperatives to increase visibility, forge partnerships, and engage new audiences. A refreshed CoopsDay logo—aligned with the IYC visual identity—has been released for use in promotional materials.

Cooperatives and partners are encouraged to: Visit the updated CoopsDay website: https://www.coopsday.coop

Download the updated CoopsDay 2025 logo and media kit: https://trello.com/b/BbuhjOge/international-day-of-cooperatives-2025

Submit or view events on the IYC events platform: https://iyc.2025.coop

Share your cooperative story: https://stories.coop/

About the International Day of Cooperatives

The International Day of Cooperatives has been celebrated globally by the International Cooperative Alliance since 1923 and was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1995. It is held every year on the first Saturday of July to increase awareness of cooperatives’ contributions to development and peace.

In 2025, the celebration marks: The 103rd International Cooperative Day, and; The 31st UN International Day of Cooperatives

The theme is selected jointly by the ICA and The Committee for the COPAC, in consultation with UN partners and the cooperative movement.

COPAC’s membership includes the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [UNDESA], the International Labour Organisation [ILO], the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations [FAO], the International Trade Centre [ITC], the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development [UNRISD], and the ICA.

https://thecooperator.news/official-theme-for-coopsday-2025-announced-in-brussels/

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