Keeping hope alive

The true definition of youth councils in Uganda is the story of keeping hope alive. This hope is based on the desire for financial emancipation through group enterprises and having a platform for engagement in cooperative activities. Because of this hope, triggered by the Agriterra intervention, the youth have begun demanding their rightful position in cooperatives, which are definitely at the centre of innovation and progress. The Youth Councils have influenced their way into the cooperative leadership especially having representation on the Board of Directors (BODs).

The SACCO youth councils save money and lend to members on more friendly terms for investment. These saving and lending initiatives have been boosted by the SACCO access to credit supported by Agriterra where for example Mubuga SACCO accessed UGX 1,000,000,000 in credit finance, and has allocated 70% of that fund to women and youth at 1.5% interest per month compared to the ordinary 2% per month.

Muhame SACCO YC now boosts 2 youth representatives on the Board due to the power of advocacy for inclusion. They have also been able to influence the creation of a 1% interest rate loan facility for youth compared to the ordinary 3% per month and their success has inspired the creation and strengthening of women's councils in the SACCO.

The producer cooperatives save money and invest in joint enterprises. These enterprises include trade in coffee seedlings, farm management, and joint coffee bulking.


Butuuro YC members during the idea validation meeting

Bisheshe Coffee Cooperative Youth Council 

The Bisheshe Coffee Cooperative Youth Council is operating a coffee nursery bed with the initial investment in March 2024. With an initial unit investment of  UGX 100 per elite rubosta coffee seedling, they have sold each seedling for UGX 500. This translates into UGX 7,500,000 in revenues after investing UGX 1,500,000 in 15,000 seedlings, with a 400% profit margin. This coming season they target to produce 20,000 seedlings with a unit investment cost of UGX 80 and a selling price of UGX 500. The cooperative supported the YC with operational land and a water harvesting system.


Bisheshe YC members weeding their coffee nursery beds

In the next 5 years, the Bisheshe YC estimates to produce 150,000 Clonal seedlings per year that are highly marketable. The target is to earn at least UGX 500,000 per youth per month by 2027.  

The Bisheshe YC hopes that with input in terms of nursery bed operation and management, business planning and management training, and financial linkage, they can position themselves as the leading producers of quality coffee seedlings sustainably in western Uganda.