Yesterday, Col Joseph Freddy Onata, the Chief Executive Officer of Wazalendo SACCO, emphasized the importance of providing both men and women with equal opportunities for savings skills training. He urged the Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union (UCSCU) to collaborate with the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) to establish a Men’s Mentorship Programme within cooperatives, similar to the existing programme for women. This initiative aims to create synergy between men and women, ensuring they receive equal mentorship and empowerment.
Col Onata made these remarks during the graduation ceremony of 28 women who completed a one-week Women Mentorship Programme at the UCSCU headquarters in Maganjo. Among the graduates were six women from Wazalendo SACCO.
Highlighting the need for concurrent mentoring and empowerment of both genders, Col Onata stressed that women mentored under male counterparts often face challenges in applying their acquired knowledge and expressing themselves freely. He commended the efforts of ACCOSCA, UCSCU, and the CDF Canada programme for their contributions to leadership development, women empowerment in cooperatives, and community impact.
The CEO encouraged leaders of all SACCOs to prioritize investing in training to enhance the impact of their services.
Hon. Jaria Bintu Abwoori Lukumu, Chairperson of UCSCU, congratulated the women on completing their training and thanked SACCO leaders for sponsoring their staff to acquire knowledge. She pledged continued support from the Union to ensure that the initiatives of trained women have a tangible impact on the ground.
Mrs. Mercy Tumukunde Agaba, Coordinator of the Cooperative Development Foundation Canada in Uganda, urged the women to apply the knowledge they gained effectively. She emphasized that their ability to apply this knowledge to address community challenges would set them apart as leaders. Tumukunde expressed gratitude to partners like Wazalendo SACCO for supporting the women’s mentorship programme and the cooperative movement as a whole. She also thanked the Government of Uganda for creating an enabling environment for women to thrive.
Mrs. Dorothy Mwesigwa, a trainer and beneficiary of the women’s mentorship programme, shared her experience of receiving similar training in Canada. Upon returning to Uganda, she and Mercy initiated the Women Mentorship Programme, which has now seen its third graduation and continues to grow stronger. Mwesigwa encouraged the women to be assertive and take up leadership roles to advocate for their fellow women.
The training covered various topics, including networking, self-discovery, work-life balance, women in governance, personal branding, conflict management, mental health, and financial wellness, among others.
