Wazalendo SACCO, together with other leading savings and credit cooperative organisations (SACCOs) in Uganda, concluded a five-day training programme for its delegates aimed at strengthening cooperative leadership, financial literacy and member representation.

The training that was organised by the Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union (UCSCU), at Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe brought together delegates from various SACCOs across the country.

The workshop focused on the Africa SACCO Delegate Education Philosophy and financial literacy, among other areas critical to effective SACCO governance and management.

Facilitators from the Africa Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) and the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), from the United Kingdom and the United States respectively, led the training sessions.

Brig Gen Yusuf Magero Buha, Chief Executive Officer of Wazalendo SACCO, thanked the facilitators for equipping delegates with knowledge and skills relevant to the effective management of SACCOs.

“The concepts you have given us will be crucial in the management of our SACCOs, impacting delegates with skills on the roles of a delegate, member representation, SACCO leadership and management, among others,” Brig Gen Buha said.

Magero Buha urged Wazalendo SACCO delegates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to strengthen member representation and contribute to the growth of the cooperative.

Maj Newton Isaac Namazima, Vice Chairperson of the Supervisory Board, encouraged UPDF veterans who are not yet members of Wazalendo SACCO to join the cooperative and take advantage of its financial services, including access to loans at competitive interest rates.

Ms Loise, head of the facilitation team from the United States, emphasised the importance of collaboration among SACCOs in Uganda and urged cooperative leaders to remain committed to their founding objectives.

She cited Wazalendo SACCO, which was established by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), as an example of a cooperative whose growth has been supported by maintaining focus on its original objectives.