(Kampala) – Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (WSACCO) has received accolades for its effective use of the cooperative business model to promote equitable wealth creation and strong communities. This recognition came during a visit from a delegation representing Dikwata Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, which serves the Botswana Defence Forces.
The delegation, consisting of ten members including board members and management, was led by Ms. Kefilwe Masalila, the CEO of the Botswana Savings and Credit Cooperatives Association (BOSCCA). They visited WSACCO’s headquarters in Kiwatule on October 15, 2024.
Maj Gen Hendrick Rakgantswana, Chairperson of Dikwata SACCO, explained that their visit aimed to benchmark best practices in governance, operations, regulations, and the use of information and communication technology (ICT). “As a young SACCO, we are here to learn from Wazalendo SACCO. Being a sister military institution, we share common goals and challenges, which I believe after this vital interaction, we shall be able to address. We are going to tailor the knowledge acquired to suit our needs to improve service delivery,” he stated.
The focus of the visit was to explore the factors contributing to WSACCO’s success. Ms. Kefilwe Masalila expressed Dikwata SACCO’s eagerness to understand how Wazalendo achieved its notable milestones.
Dr. Sylvester Ndiroramukama, CEO of the Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union (UCSCU), also commended WSACCO for being one of the fastest-growing SACCOs in Africa. “The prime objective of every SACCO is to address issues regarding their members’ welfare. Wazalendo SACCO has excelled in that aspect by continuously improving the lives of its members and supporting their communities,” he remarked.
Lt Col Allan Kitanda, Vice Chairman of WSACCO’s Board of Directors, expressed gratitude for Dikwata’s choice to learn from WSACCO. “I believe the request to host Dikwata SACCO results from the great strides WSACCO has made in promoting the welfare of its members and supporting the cooperative movement in Uganda,” he noted.
Col Joseph Freddy Onata, WSACCO’s CEO, emphasized the potential for military SACCOs to benefit from sharing growth strategies and best practices. He highlighted that hosting the delegation from Botswana was a way of giving back, recalling that Botswana had been one of the countries visited by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) for benchmarking in 2003, prior to WSACCO’s establishment in 2005.
This visit underscored the cooperative spirit among military institutions, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration for mutual growth and community development. The Dikwata delegation included Brig Gen Kgaswanyane, a board member, and CEO Col Ditoit Ronnie Ramhitshana, along with other board members. WSACCO representatives included Col Dan Tizihwayo, Board Secretary; Lt Col Benon Kato, Director of Finance and Administration; Mr. Williams Atalyeba, Director of Operations; and various department heads.
