Mbale District RDC Bayole Hails Bugisu Co-operative Union as "Last Standing Giant" at 65th AGM

MBALE CITY – The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Mbale, Mr. Stanley Bayole, has lauded the Bugisu Co-operative Union (BCU) for its remarkable resilience, noting that it remains the only historical cooperative union in Uganda that has survived the test of time and remains fully operational.

Speaking during the union’s 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the BCU factory premises, Mr. Bayole expressed his gratitude to the members and leadership for keeping the institution alive while many others across the country collapsed decades ago.

While celebrating the union's longevity, the RDC challenged the management and farmers to look towards the future by prioritizing industrialization and value addition.

 Mr. Bayole urged BCU to transition from exporting raw beans to producing finished coffee products. "We must compete on the international market with finished goods

, not just raw materials," he stated.

  Addressing the farmers, the RDC emphasized that agriculture is the most sustainable path to prosperity. He noted that true, honest wealth is found in the land, cautioning that those who appear wealthy without engaging in production often involve themselves in "bad things."

 He urged coffee farmers to prioritize their children's education, explaining that the Elgon region needs a new generation of professionals to apply scientific methods to improve coffee quality.innovate within the internal and regional markets.

ensure the sustainability of the "Number One" coffee in the world.

The AGM, attended by RDCs from across the Bugisu region, highlighted the stable leadership of Chairman Nathan Nandala Mafabi and General Manager Babra Wasagali.

Founded in July 1954, BCU remains a cornerstone of the Ugandan economy, specifically through processing ,purchasing, and washing parchment Arabica coffee.

Mr. Bayole concluded by thanking the farmers for their tireless work in maintaining the high standards of Bugisu coffee, which continues to be recognized globally for its superior quality.