Uhuru at 10: CEO says organisation aims to become a global brand in the next decade

Despite these challenges, TUI has worked hard to demonstrate that it is not a political entity but a social business  enterprise dedicated to improving the welfare of Ugandans by working with cooperatives

Our Reporter
TUI CEO Leonard Okello speaking at the Coop360° Innovations Award final in March this year. File photo.

KAMPALA, November 21, 2024 – The cooperative movement in Uganda is emerging from dormancy to reclaim its rightful place in the country’s socio-economic development. Among the key stakeholders driving the strengthening of cooperatives in Uganda is The Uhuru Institute for Social Development [TUI], headquartered in Kampala, with aspirations to become a global brand within the next decade.

TUI is a social business enterprise that connects cooperatives to a variety of services, including affordable financing, training, institutional development, ICT solutions, research, media services, business networking, policy advocacy, and youth leadership and entrepreneurship development, all with the goal of contributing to inclusive socio-economic transformation.

TUI envisions an equitable society, led by a developmental state and guided by the principles of a social market economy that places the citizen at the centre of an inclusive, cooperative, and accountable system. TUI’s mission is to establish an enterprising, prosperous, peaceful, and happy society by inspiring citizens to generate wealth together.

According to the organisation’s Founder and CEO, Leonard Okello, TUI was launched in 2011 and registered as a company limited by guarantee in June 2013. Although TUI was set to celebrate its 10th anniversary last year, the celebrations were postponed to this year to allow for adequate preparations.

The idea that led to founding of TUI
Okello explains that the founding of TUI was influenced by his history, education, and work in both the government and NGO sectors. Growing up in Amolatar district, his mother would deliver cotton to a local growers’ cooperative, which would then deliver the cotton to the Lango Cooperative Union for marketing. The Union used some of the proceeds to pay for Okello’s education at Kigezi High School. This connection to the cooperative movement sparked his belief in its potential to transform communities in Uganda, leading to the founding of TUI to advocate for cooperatives.

Further, Okello says his work in the government and NGO sectors, particularly in Karamoja, made him realise that poverty alleviation in such areas required active participation from the community, which could best be achieved through cooperatives. While working in the region, he noticed that the government was not providing sufficient support or resources to revitalise these cooperatives. “If you asked me, I would tell you that these experiences inspired me to create TUI,” Okello says.

Challenges and growth
Okello reflects on the challenges faced during the early years of TUI, particularly when there was widespread apathy towards the cooperative sector. Many decision-makers in both government and the private sector were not interested in supporting cooperatives. Some even accused TUI of being a political organisation that was antigovernment, especially after Okello’s involvement in the Black Monday campaign, a movement whose members protested every Monday on the streets, carrying placards criticising the government for its failure to address the rising cost of living in Uganda.

“There was a time when security forces broke into our office, searching for supposed sensitive information against the government. One of the officers who was involved in this act later met with me and apologised, admitting they had acted based on false information from some officials in government who were fearful of the organisation’s role in the cooperative sector,” Okello recalls.

Despite these challenges, TUI has worked hard to demonstrate that it is not a political entity but a social business  enterprise dedicated to improving the welfare of Ugandans by working with cooperatives. This commitment is reflected in TUI’s partnerships with government agencies, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives [MTIC], the private sector, and NGOs.

Achievements and Impact
Okello says one of TUI’s major achievements was the initiation of the annual Coop Week, which includes a series of activities such as tree planting, market clean-ups, and symposia, held in partnership with other stakeholders. Coop Week takes place just before the International Day of Cooperatives, celebrated on the first Saturday of July. Coop Week provides a time for cooperatives and other stakeholders to reflect, celebrate achievements, and renew collective commitment to the cooperative movement.

TUI also launched the Youth No Excuses Programme, which has empowered over 4,000 young people with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to engage meaningfully with cooperatives. TUI considers these youth to be the future leaders of cooperatives. Under this programme, youth with the best business ideas receive funding from TUI and its partners.

Additionally, TUI’s research studies have been pivotal in generating actionable insights that have guided evidence-based advocacy and strategic planning. For example, TUI produced a policy brief on the taxation of cooperatives in Uganda, which has been presented to the Uganda Revenue Authority [URA] and shared with various stakeholders.

TUI’s work has directly impacted local cooperatives, improving their governance, management, and record-keeping. Okello is particularly proud that cooperators in Uganda adhere to the seven cooperative principles: Voluntary and Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Member Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training, and Information; Cooperation Among Cooperatives; and Concern for Community. Moreover, TUI has helped Ugandan cooperators understand key cooperative values such as self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.

Internal Platforms for strengthening cooperatives
To further strengthen cooperatives, TUI, through its IT Hub, has developed several internal platforms:

Looking to the Future
Over the past decade, TUI has partnered with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, to support cooperatives in areas such as finance, insurance, governance, fiscal policy, and regulation. Okello is confident that with continued determination and growing partnerships, TUI will expand to Africa, and rest of the world. He promises that TUI will become a global brand within the next decade.

“I am certain that TUI will become a global brand in the next ten years. We are serious about this,” Okello affirms.

https://thecooperator.news/from-the-hills-of-sebei-mengya-cooperative-sails-to-victory-in-coop360-innovations-award/

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