Uganda launched the Cooperative Education programme that will enable higher institutions of learning start teaching courses on cooperatives and awarding diplomas, undergraduate degrees, Masters degrees and PhDs in Cooperatives.
This was during the National Cooperative Conference 2026 that took place at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Nakawa.
The 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama who represented H.E Gen.Yoweri Kaguta Museveni noted that Cooperatives remain key drivers of socio-economic transformation through savings mobilization, access to finance, improved production and markets, and household income enhancement.
She called for Cooperatives to move beyond commodity production and participate across the entire valuechain while strengthening governance, accountability, financial sustainability and technology adoption.
In his remarks, the State Minister for Cooperatives Hon. Tom Alero Aza emphasized good leadership and governance in cooperatives especially SACCOs, citing Cooperatives like Wazalendo Sacco that have excelled in good governance. He urged Cooperatives to focus on production and value addition in high-value crops such as coffee, cocoa, Hass avocado, and vanilla as a tool for diversification of income. He encouraged cooperatives to hold regular AGMs, transparent reporting, reinvestment of returns from Cooperatives back into profitable ventures & adopting digital technologies.
The Deputy Principal of MUBS Prof. Rachel Mindra Katoroogo said the university is in the final stages of approval of the cooperative courses, and starting next year 2027, MUBS will start teaching these courses and awarding diplomas and degrees in the field cooperatives.
The General Secretary of Uganda Cooperative Alliance which convened the conference in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, CPA Ivan Asiimwe said the launch of the Cooperative Education is a major milestone in professionalizing Cooperatives.
