Unity in Action: Minister Gume Lauds Mushana Sacco’s Decade of Driving Community Wealth and National Development

The Minister of State for Cooperatives, Hon. Fredrick Ngobi Gume, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening cooperatives, describing them as a powerful vehicle for accelerating both community and national development through unity, shared ownership, and collective investment.

The Minister made the remarks while officiating at celebrations to mark 10 years of Mushana Multipurpose Cooperative Sacco, a milestone that highlighted a decade of growth, discipline, and economic empowerment driven by cooperation.

What began as a modest savings initiative among a small group of friends has, over the last ten years, evolved into one of Uganda’s fastest-rising cooperative success stories. Members of Mushana Multipurpose Cooperative Sacco gathered to reflect on a journey defined by trust, consistency, and a shared vision of financial independence.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Gume applauded the Sacco’s members for choosing cooperation over individualism, noting that unity remains a critical driver of sustainable development.

“When people pool their resources, knowledge, and effort, they grow faster and create impact that extends beyond individuals to entire communities and the nation,” the Minister said.

He emphasized that cooperatives play a central role in wealth creation, job generation, and financial inclusion, especially at the grassroots level. According to the Minister, well-managed cooperatives help ordinary citizens access affordable credit, invest productively, and build resilience against economic shocks.

Hon. Gume further commended Mushana Multipurpose Cooperative Sacco for strict compliance with cooperative laws and regulations, describing it as a model institution that government can confidently partner with in driving Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

“Mushana Sacco has demonstrated that discipline, transparency, and adherence to cooperative principles are the foundation of long-term success,” he noted, urging other cooperatives to emulate its governance and operational standards.

The Chairperson of Mushana Multipurpose Cooperative Sacco traced the Sacco’s impressive growth from its humble beginnings to a cooperative currently valued at over Shs 30 billion. From a small savings group, the Sacco has expanded its footprint across multiple sectors, underpinned by strong member confidence and prudent investment.

Today, Mushana Sacco boasts nearly 2,000 members, cutting across various professions and communities. Its investment portfolio has grown beyond financial services into agriculture, where the Sacco owns a 97-acre farm in Nakasongola District, supporting both food production and livelihoods in surrounding communities.

The Sacco’s leadership highlighted that agriculture remains a strategic pillar, aligned with national priorities of food security, agro-industrialization, and rural development. Through its farming activities, Mushana is creating employment opportunities, supporting local suppliers, and contributing to community welfare.

Looking to the future, Mushana Multipurpose Cooperative Sacco outlined an ambitious growth agenda. The Sacco plans to embrace digital financial services to improve efficiency, expand member access, and align with Uganda’s rapidly evolving financial landscape. Digitalization is expected to enhance savings mobilization, loan processing, and service delivery, particularly for members in remote areas.

In addition, the cooperative is expanding its investment portfolio and has set its sights on the establishment of a fully-fledged bank by 2026, a move that would significantly elevate its role in Uganda’s financial sector and deepen financial inclusion.

The Sacco also announced a new strategic investment in the education sector, starting with the establishment of a primary school in Kyanja. This initiative reflects Mushana’s broader vision of community development, recognizing education as a long-term investment in human capital and national progress.

As Mushana Multipurpose Cooperative Sacco celebrates a decade of impact, its story stands as a testament to the power of cooperation. The milestone not only marks past achievements but also signals a future anchored in innovation, expansion, and shared prosperity.

For government, leaders, and citizens alike, the Mushana experience reinforces Minister Gume’s message: strong cooperatives are not just financial institutions — they are engines of community transformation and national development.