Bishop Asiimwe Urges Members to Strengthen North Kigezi Diocese SACCO Through Saving and Unity

Rukungiri: The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese in Rukungiri, Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, has urged members of North Kigezi SACCO and the general public to work together to develop the SACCO as a way of fighting poverty.

Speaking as the SACCO patron during the Annual General Meeting held on March 26 at All Saints Church in Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality, Bishop Asiimwe said the SACCO cannot grow unless members increase their shares and recruit more people to join.

He noted that a new policy requires staff in church-founded schools to receive their salaries through North Kigezi SACCO, a move aimed at strengthening membership and boosting the SACCO’s growth.

Quoting 2 Corinthians 9:6, the Bishop reminded members that those who give generously will also receive generously. He encouraged everyone with the ability to save to do so consistently in order to build strong financial reserves. He also called on members to mobilize influential people to join the SACCO and urged the board to listen carefully to members’ needs.

Bishop Asiimwe assured members that he will continue supporting the SACCO through mobilisation efforts.

The guest of honour, Fred Mucunguzi, who represented the head of laity for Bugangari Archdeaconry Boaz Rutera, encouraged members to save more and increase their share capital to help the SACCO grow. He also advised borrowers to repay their loans on time.

He further urged each member to recruit at least two new people, save at least UGX 2,000 daily, increase their shares, and embrace mobile banking to keep their money safe. He called on SACCO leaders to strengthen mobilisation efforts to support the SACCO’s development.

Venerable Dickens Baguma of Nyakisoroza Archdeaconry, who is also the board chairman, thanked Bishop Asiimwe for his leadership as patron and appreciated Mama Florence Asiimwe for her support towards the SACCO.

However, he highlighted several challenges facing the SACCO, including stiff competition, loan defaulters, a poor saving culture, and dormant accounts opened by members who do not actively use them.

The SACCO Manager, Ronald Kasiime, encouraged members to borrow responsibly and repay their loans on time. He revealed that there are plans to extend services to rural areas to make financial support more accessible.

He also urged members to continue trusting the SACCO by saving with it, saying this will help it grow and improve the livelihoods of its members.

North Kigezi Diocese SACCO Ltd was officially registered on November 6, 2013, by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in Uganda.