Mbale, Uganda – July 29, 2026 – A team from UGIFICU-ETRACOME, led by the Director, Buwembo Abdul, conducted a field assessment of three cooperative societies in the Eastern region on July 29, 2026. The visits aimed to evaluate the operations, documentation, and overall health of the cooperatives to guide future support and training.

The team visited the Mbale District Veterans Cooperative, the Buduuda Fronasa Veterans Cooperative Society, and the Voluntary Efforts for Rural Development (CBO) in Tororo. During the visits, the team interacted with cooperative leaders and members, using a verification matrix to score each organization on key operational and administrative criteria.

Mbale District Veterans Cooperative scored highly in the assessment. While the cooperative, which started in April 2019 and has 249 members, had certified by-laws and a registration certificate, it lacked a formal profile, organogram, evidence of lending, and computer software. The cooperative, which deals in coffee farming and buying, faces significant challenges including inadequate capital to purchase coffee from members, lack of transport, poor storage, and marketing difficulties.

Buduuda Fronasa Veterans Cooperative Society scored moderately. The cooperative, which engages in coffee and matoke growing, as well as bull fattening, had most of its documentation in order, including by-laws, a profile, and an organogram. However, it lacked evidence of lending, clear committees, and a computer. The office was also missing important items, which the team advised them to procure.

Voluntary Efforts for Rural Development (CBO) in Tororo scored relatively well. The organization, which provides education support to poor and orphaned children, operates out of a partially completed building with classrooms in poor condition. The latrine used by both pupils and staff was described as being in a "worse condition." Despite the challenges, the CBO has paid its membership and subscription fees.

Following the assessments, the team made several conclusions and recommendations including the fact that all cooperatives from Buduuda, Mbale, Tororo, and Kaberamaido will gather in Mbale for a one-week training session, primary cooperatives and SACCOs under the Mbale District Veterans Cooperative should register independently with UGIFICU, or the mother union should become a partner and purchase 100 shares and that the Voluntary Efforts for Rural Development should be supported using both charity and Ijarah (a leasing/rental model).