Delayed Elections Spark Tensions at Lango Cooperative Union
By Joshua Olomo (editor@vol.co.ug)
Apac
There is ongoing conflict and disorganization within Lango Cooperative Union due to leadership disputes and lack of proper governance.
This comes due to delays by the union to organize its Annual General Meeting (AGM), elect new leaders, or carry out other mandated activities, in violation of cooperative principles.
According to the Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act 2022, Section 18(6), an Annual General Meeting must be conducted every four years to elect new leadership.
The current leadership of Lango Cooperative Union was elected in 2016, including the Board, Vetting Committee, and Supervisory Committee. Their term of service legally ended on March 24, 2024.
However, a report by the Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee, Francis Owiny Dano, submitted to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives on October 18, 2024, confirmed that the Union has not held any AGM or leadership elections after the mandate of the current leaders elapsed.
This negligence violates Regulation 21(4) of the Cooperative Societies Regulations 1992, which requires timely leadership transitions.
Following this, Robert Bariyo Barigye, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, officially instructed the current Board and Supervisory Committee members to vacate office and called for a new AGM to be held by October 30, 2024.
Akora Maxwell Ebong Patrick, a member of the Board, wrote to the Registrar on November 8, 2024, requesting that the Ministry allows a three-month extension to resolve outstanding financial and organizational issues, which delayed the 2023 AGM.
He claims these issues arose due to alleged mismanagement that resulted in financial losses.
Akora further stated that the Union participated in the International Day of Cooperatives in July 2023, during which some funds were lost and that proper governance structures such as the Board, Verification Committee, and Vetting Committee could not be established in time.
Francis Owiny Dano, Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee, also a member of Nalibwoyo Primary Society, revealed that much as the Board chairperson asked for additional three months, it has taken over five months without elections being held.
Owiny emphasized that this is not a personal vendetta, but rather a call for accountability and respect for cooperative law, especially since most primary societies in Lango are affected by the mismanagement.
De-Apach Godongo, a member of Odopaco Multipurpose Primary Society in Apac, expressed fear that the Ministry has failed to act on leadership violations within the Union. He also claimed that the current officials are involved in misappropriation of Union property and should not continue in office.
Nakayunga Joan, Office Administrator at the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives, confirmed that the Ministry received the petition and is currently reviewing the matter.
