Bugisu farmers cautioned against electing non-coffee growers at upcoming AGM

Bugisu, Uganda:- The Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) has cautioned farmers against electing leaders who do not actively engage in coffee farming, emphasizing that such leadership undermines efforts to boost patronage and attract services from the union.

Speaking during a zonal meeting held on Friday at Nyondo PTC Main Hall in the Lower Central Zone, BCU Treasurer Nathan Mabonga urged farmers to prioritize electing committee members who are genuine coffee growers.

Mabonga raised concerns over Growers’ Cooperative Societies (GCS) where committee members are unable to deliver even 10 kilograms of coffee to the union, questioning their capacity to effectively represent farmers’ interests.

“There is no compromise or shortcut. It is coffee that binds us under the cooperative spirit,” Mabonga stressed, adding that access to union services is strictly based on patronage.

He clarified that eligibility for certain union benefits, including bursaries and AGM participation, is determined by the quantity of coffee delivered. For instance, to qualify for a bursary, a member must deliver at least 300 kilograms of coffee, while a society must contribute 2,500 kilograms to qualify for AGM participation.

“Many farmers are influenced to vote for individuals who do not own coffee gardens, only to later complain about the lack of services from the union,” Mabonga noted.

Joseph Wandera, a farmer present at the meeting, highlighted that multinational companies offering more attractive incentives continue to draw farmers away from the union. He urged BCU management to adopt innovative strategies such as enhanced community engagement, farmer training, and offering small allowances to society leaders.

BCU Manager Barbra Wasagali reiterated that the primary responsibility of society leaders is to mobilize coffee for the union. She noted that zonal meetings are ongoing in preparation for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for April 4th at the union headquarters.

“Only societies that meet the patronage requirements will be invited to participate in the AGM,” Wasagali asserted.

The BCU leadership has insisted that prioritizing coffee-growing leaders will strengthen the cooperative’s operations and ensure better service delivery to its members.