The Minister of State, Industry, and Cooperatives, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, has highlighted that the government of Uganda has worked hard to establish supportive conditions for cooperatives to grow and prosper because of their importance in reducing poverty.

Gen Mbadi made the statement during a press conference held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) on International Cooperatives Day, which is to be held on July 20, 2024, at Misanvu Demonstration Church of Uganda Primary School Grounds in Kibinge sub-county, Bukomansimbi district.

He noted that cooperatives have played an important role in reducing poverty levels in Uganda through the introduction of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga programs by the government.

“In recognition of the role cooperatives play in poverty reduction, the government has sought to create an enabling environment for cooperatives to develop and thrive. The government has just introduced the Parish Development Model as well as Emyooga,” Gen Mbasu said.

According to the minister, cooperatives offer jobs, chances for investments, collaborative growth, and wealth distribution. He added that since 1986, their numbers have grown dramatically, from 5,452 to 45,452.

He explained that the celebration of Cooperatives Day is preceded by Cooperatives Week, which will start on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, and last until Friday, July 19, 2024.

Cooperatives are businesses that are controlled and owned by their members. The history of cooperatives can be traced back to colonial times in 1913, when peasants came together to oppose the exploitative terms of trade imposed on them by Asian traders through organized local middlemen. These groups came together to form the first cooperative societies, like the Kanakulya Growers Association and the Buganda Growers Association, among others.