94th ICA/ 22nd U.N International Day of Cooperatives
Uganda joined the rest of the world on Saturday July 2nd, 2016 to commemorate the 94thInternational Day of cooperatives/ 22nd United Nations Day of Cooperatives.
The theme for the year 2016 is “Cooperatives: The power to act for a sustainable future”.
The celebrations were held at Butalangu Town Council Grounds in Nakaseke district and H.E the president of Uganda was the Chief Guest. The celebrations were hosted by Uganda Meat Producers Cooperatives Union and at the same event the president commissioned the construction of a modern abattoir that is going to be built at Butalangu.
In his speech, the president congratulated the people of Butalangu for getting a modern abattoir and encouraged them to rear more cows and feed the abattoir. He also encouraged the youth to acquire land and participate in fattening of cows to feed the different abattoir in the country.
The president encouraged the people of Nakaseke to participate in Diary and animal farming but cautioned them to be disciplined it they want to penetrate the international markets.
In her remarks, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Amelia Kyambadde said cooperatives are very much alive with her ministry registering 17,089 cooperative societies by end of May 2016. She said Cooperatives have diversified transcending all spheres of the economy including transport cooperatives, Diary cooperatives, Housing cooperatives, Energy Cooperatives, Fishing and many others.
Hon. Kyambadde outlined Government Efforts in the Revitalization of Cooperatives including the amendment of the Cooperative Societies Amendment Bill, Re-establishment of the Cooperative Bank which is in progress, Compensation of unions that lost property and assets during the wars with 4 unions compensated, advocating for the return of Uganda Cooperative College, Kigumba to the Ministry and many others.
Awards
33 people were awarded by the president in appreciation of their contribution towards the cooperatives movement in Uganda. Among those awarded was Yona Kanyomozi, Hon. Mike Sebalu, Specioza Wandira Kazibwe and many others.
