Cooperative Education Launched in Uganda
Uganda has launched a cooperative education programme aimed at enabling higher education institutions to provide training in cooperative management and award qualifications ranging from diplomas to PhDs. The programme seeks to develop the skilled workforce needed by the cooperative sector and support its professionalisation.
The programme was introduced at the National Cooperative Conference 2026, held at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Kampala. The new education model envisages academic programmes in cooperative management, governance, finance, production and other areas relevant to the development of cooperatives.
State Minister for Cooperatives Tom Alero Aza emphasised the importance of strong leadership and good governance, particularly in savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs). Aza also stated that increasing the production of high-value agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa, Hass avocados and vanilla, and adding value to these products, would help diversify income sources.
MUBS Deputy Principal Prof. Rachel Mindra Katoroogo announced that the institution’s cooperative education programmes were in the final stages of approval. Once approved, diploma and degree programmes in cooperative studies are expected to begin in 2027.