Kabaka wants cooperative unions revived to fight poverty

Kabaka Ronald Mutebi has called for revival of cooperative unions as a tool to for unity, fight against poverty and universal financial inclusion.
The king said Wednesday that Buganda was a strong factor in national economy during the colonial era when cooperatives such as Ssingo, Buddu, West and East Buganda as well as their sister unions in Busoga and Bugisu were active.

He was speaking during his 26th coronation anniversary at Nkumba University in Wakiso District.
Accorfing to him cooperatives played a great role in cotton and coffee processing and marketing and that members ripped big, even when for 33 years since they had been initiated in 1913, the British had not recognised them until when the Labour Party came to power in 1946.
"The protectorate government supported their government from wealth accrued from coffee and cotton production. Cooperatives are owned by people and their members are not paid by government; they don't need government funding," Kabaka said.

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Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, is attending the ceremony

He said cooperatives employ many people pointing back to the 1960s when members were able open their own bank, the Cooperative bank.
"Cooperatives are a source of wealth and they enable people to accumulate wealth. People are crying of poverty, we need to revive cooperatives and reenergise cotton and coffee growing to support our economy," Kabaka said.
Prior to his speech, pomp and glamour had almost overtaken the entire event.
From a sleek benz in which the Sultan of Sokoko Caliphate in Nigeria, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar arrived at 11.23am amidst a heavy escort by armed counterterrorism police to smart ladies donning busuuti and men in kanzus, it all ended well with traditional performances.

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga who had arrived two minutes earlier welcomed the Sultan.
He attended the function as special guest of the Kabaka. There were other delegates who trekked from as far as Ethiopia and Niger.
The Vice-president, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi arrived at about 11.26am donning a kanzu.
The Sultan greeted Mr Ssekandi before the two sat beside each other and close to Kabaka Mutebi in a grass thatched rostrum.
Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine received deafening applause on arrival.
The head of the host county of Busiro, Mr Charles Ssebwana Kiberu Kisirinza, lauded the Kabaka for his effort in ensuring food security, provision of houses to destitutes and health care.
The Sultan lauded Kabaka for promoting good health and education for his people.
"Those are the most important things any leader must ensure (that) people possess at any time,” he said.