By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE
Coffee farmers under Bugisu Cooperative Union BCU have given the former Board another four year term in office.
Board members who were elected back unopposed are; Chairperson Nathan Nandala Mafabi the chairperson (director Bukusege zone), John Musila vice chairperson (Director Lwakhakha zone), Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira director of Sironko valley zone in Sironko district.
Others who were reinstated are; Michael Lulonde director Lambuli zone, Joshua Mweru director Upper central zone, Eddy Wanambwa director for Bubulo zone, James Kutosi director for Tsutsu zone and Florence Wanzala director Manafwa zone.
While presenting names to hundreds of BCU farmers on Tuesday, 2nd April, 2024 during the annual general meeting, Nelson Wedayila, the BCU secretary of the vetting committee said all the board members who retained their positions successfully passed through the vetting process.
He adds that they all had minimum requirements like being registered BCU farmers, selling their coffee at BCU among other requirements.
Nathan Nandala Mafabi thanked the farmers for reinstating the board such that it can complete its work.
He says that BCU is currently having ongoing works like renovating BCU Musundi House located opposite Mbale Taxi Park into five Star hotel to generate revenue, reclaiming Elgon hotel which was sold by former BCU board in 1980s among others which the current board is determined to accomplish.
The Minister for Cooperatives, Fredrick Ngobi Gume who was the Chief Guest urged BCU farmers to sell their coffee to BCU instead of taking it to its competitors saying this will improve on the coffee price.
He noted that before the revival of BCU by Nandala, coffee was fetching less money which shows that it’s BCU which influenced the coffee price increment.
Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira says that as new board members they are to make sure that all idle primary societies must be activated in terms of taking coffee to BCU.
He adds that if all primary societies they have under BCU across the Bugisu region bring their coffee to BCU, their competitors will be out of business automatically which will enable coffee farmers to benefit more than that they are doing currently.
