By Okidi Patrick
Regional Livestock Farmers Cooperative Launched in Mubende, Urges Transparency and Savings Culture
MUBENDE , UGANDA – A major new farmers’ union, the Kiyonga Livestock Farmers Cooperative, officially launched its operations in Ikura Village, Kiyonga Parish, Mubende District, with a strong call for members to embrace a culture of saving, consistency, and absolute transparency.
The cooperative, strategically located in Kigando Sub-County, Kasambya Constituency, boasts an expansive reach across the Greater Mubende cattle corridor, covering districts including Kyankwanzi, Ssembule, Kazo, Kiruhura, parts of Kyegegwa, Kyenjejo, Hoima, and Gomba.
During the launch event, Mr. Kwekyiriza Benon, the chairperson of the cooperative, emphasized that success hinges not on initial resources but on a disciplined mindset and persistent effort.
“I have studied the concept of mindset changing very well,” Mr. Kwekyiriza stated. “My role model is President Yoweri Museveni, who started his journey in the bush, fought for five years, and now has governed this country for almost 40 years, remaining a darling here and among our neighbours.”
He encouraged members not to be deterred by humble beginnings. “Don’t fear to start up with the little that you have. What matters most is consistency.”
Addressing Sector Challenges and Future Goals
Mr. Kwekyiriza highlighted the serious operational challenges facing cattle keepers in the region, including the prevalence of fake veterinary drugs and a critical shortage of water infrastructure.
“As cattle keepers in the cattle corridor, we are facing serious challenges from fake drugs and lack of water dams for clean water, both for our cattle to drink and for spraying,” he explained.
To counter these issues and boost productivity, the cooperative is prioritizing improved animal health methods through high breeding levels of animal husbandry. Crucially, the cooperative announced ambitious plans for value addition.
“We also want a milk cooling machine where we will be able to improve milk production by adding on value. We are aiming to have packed milk, yoghurt, et cetera,” Mr. Kwekyiriza announced, outlining the shift from basic primary production to commercial processing.
Historical Lessons in Cooperative Success
The function was presided over by the Chief Guest, Pastor Mbabazi Robert, the Senior Presidential Mobiliser for Poverty Eradication Programs and Development, and National Coordinator for Team Thorough YKM Kira House Uganda.
Pastor Mbabazi rallied the members by referencing successful historical unions, stressing that monumental success often begins with simple, shared ideas.
“Banyankole Kweterana, Bugisu Cooperative, East Mengo Cooperative, and Masaka Cooperative Union all started as ideas,” Pastor Mbabazi noted. “But with consistency, love to one another, respect, and trustworthiness, these cooperatives managed to change everything.”
He praised the foundational role of these historic unions in implementing the mindset-changing ideology, concluding that they “did a great job in changing our people’s income.”
The Kiyonga Livestock Farmers Cooperative, headquartered in Ikura Village, is poised to become a central hub for livestock development and economic transformation across this critical section of Uganda’s cattle belt.
Source: Tea
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