Busoga leaders urge govt to revive cooperatives in the region

The chairpersons LC3 in Busoga sub-region have asked the government of Uganda to revive cooperatives to curb the increasing poverty levels in the region. The chairpersons say some cooperatives which existed way back like the ones of cotton and coffee steered some development.

Led by their spokesperson, who doubles as the chairperson of Ibulanku Sub County in Bugweri district Mr Ndhoga Ibrahim, the chairpersons were on Wednesday responding to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice chairperson for Eastern region Cap. George Mike Mukula, who asked leaders to transform Busoga through fighting poverty, during an induction and capacity-building workshop for LC3 chairpersons organized by the Parliament of Uganda in Kampala.

The leaders also demanded a share from the government on projects which are generated and operated in the region, including electricity, and mineral deposits like the Rwenzori Rare Earth which were discovered in Bugweri, Bugiri, Mayuge and some parts of Iganga district.

“We need to revive Cooperatives in Busoga as it was in the ’60s, and 70s, like Busoga growers, embrace coffee and cotton growing to curb poverty. Secondly, what is our share from the government as Basoga on the Electricity, Minerals (loyalties) like Rwenzori Rare Metal as it is in other regions with Oil i.e. Bunyoro?” Mr. Ndhoga said.

They also stressed the need to change the mindset of people through education and other avenues by revamping the operations of Busoga University to support the acquisition of knowledge of people in the subregion to spur development and fight poverty which has since turned a song in the area.

They also raised the issues of financial administration and the welfare of LC3 chairpersons across the country.

“If we are to fight poverty in Busoga sub-region, we need mindset change of the people we are leading and as leaders and this can only be achieved through Education.  Therefore I do pray that the NRM government hurriedly finalize the issue of Busoga University despite the fact we read in the Newspapers that the government has no funds to do so in this coming financial year,” Ndhoga said on Wednesday in a two-day workshop ending today at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

However, Cap. Mike Mukula asked leaders to unite as opposed to disunity which started way back during the regime of former vice president Specioza Wandera Kazibwe, former speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Alitwala Rebecca Kadaga, late Kirunda Kivejjinja, Rt. Hon Kasule Lumumba, Hon Minister Persis Namuganza, among others.

He was also concerned with the poor performance of the sub-region in the previous elections of 2021.