Wazalendo SACCO Hosts ACCOSCA Delegation

Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (WSACCO) hosted the African Confederation for Cooperatives Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) delegation that was led by its Executive Director Mr. George Ombado at WSACCO headquarters in Kiwatule on the 25^th of April 2023. ACCOSCA is the Continental body that brings together National Cooperatives Associations in Africa with its Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

The ACCOSCA Executive Director said their visit to Uganda is to attend and facilitate the 5^th Eastern Africa SACCO Regional Forum that started on the 24^th of April 2023 at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.

“Given our busy schedule, we thought it wise to visit Wazalendo SACCO which we consider as one of the most progressing SACCOs in Uganda and on the Continent of Africa. We are impressed by the manner in which the SACCO leadership is working towards building financial wellness and its community engagements. We are going spread the gospel about what you doing in the Cooperatives sector and the communities to the rest of the Continent,” said Mr. Ombado.

Ms. Lois Kitsch the Chairperson of the African Cooperatives Development Foundation (ACDF), congratulated WSACCO on the steady progress and encouraged them to continue mobilising and training members on how to prepare for retirement. She added that the success of the SACCOs is measured by the impact that they create on their members and the Communities.

The Chief Executive Officer of UCSCU Dr Silvester Ndiroramukama appreciated WSACCO’s support towards UCSCU lobby and advocacy initiatives for the sector with government and other stakeholders. “Thank you for being there for UCSCU and for patronizing the Union. UCSCU and the entire sector look up to WSACCO to provide leadership and motivation,” emphasized the CEO of UCSCU.

The Vice Chairman of WSACCO Board of Directors Lt Col Allan Kitanda who gave remarks on behalf of the Chairman Maj Gen Sam Kavuma appreciated WSACCO’s strategic engagement with stakeholders such as ACCOSCA that has enabled WSACCO’s success and growth. “Without a steady management team, there would be no results to celebrate. As BoD members our next question is how to maintain the momentum,” he noted.

The Chief Executive Officer of Wazalendo SACCO Col Joseph Freddy Onata welcomed the delegation and informed them that the core mandate of WSACCO is to improve the welfare of its members.

Col Onata said that the establishment of WSACCO has protected members of the armed forces from exploitation by commercial banks and money lenders, promoted a saving culture and enabled its members to prepare for life in retirement.

“We have aligned our actions to our vision which is driven by three strong commands namely; being strong in terms of numbers, being sustainable in terms of both numbers and financials and driving the development of our members through a range of Savings and Credit products that meet members needs,” Col Onata emphasized.

The delegation also included; the Chairperson of Kenya National Police SACCO- KNPS DT Mr. David Mategwa, Mr. Fumbani Nyangulu CEO of Malawi SACCOs Union. In attendance were WSACCO Directors, Heads of Departments and other senior staff.