By Diana N. Kintu
The Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) has launched the construction of a two-storey commercial complex in Nakasongola, marking a significant step in expanding welfare services for members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by Maj Gen Mzee Sabiiti, General Manager of Luwero Industries, who described the project as a reflection of the SACCO’s steady growth and its alignment with the Commander-in-Chief’s guidance on improving the welfare of soldiers and their families.
“The expansion of Wazalendo SACCO is a clear fruit of the Tarehe Sita struggle. As we celebrate 45 years of achievement, it is encouraging to witness the growth of a welfare venture that directly supports our forces,” Maj Gen Sabiiti said.
The new facility will host a cash-operating branch and provide rental space for businesses, further strengthening the SACCO’s role in community development and financial accessibility. Maj Gen Sabiiti recalled the challenges soldiers once faced when seeking credit from commercial banks, which often charged prohibitively high interest rates. He noted that the SACCO, established in 2005, has transformed access to affordable credit for military personnel and continues to promote generational membership by involving soldiers’ families.
Col Yusuf Magero Buha, Chief Executive Officer of Wazalendo SACCO, commended UPDF leadership for guiding reforms that have improved service delivery across the organisation. He said the Nakasongola branch would become the 15th cash-operating branch, currently handling between 480 and 500 loans annually, worth approximately Shs3.5 billion.
Col Buha also announced the opening of the Kabong Liaison Office and confirmed that the 14th branch in Kihihi would commence operations on 26 February 2026, with a branch in Lira planned for 2027.
Providing a financial update, Col Buha reported that by 31 December 2025, the SACCO had registered a surplus of Shs105 billion, maintained a loan portfolio of Shs1.14 trillion, and held total assets valued at Shs1.4 trillion. He thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for supporting the SACCO movement and endorsing regulations designed to ensure sustainability and long-term growth.
Representing the Board of Directors, Capt Isaac Bisaru stated that the new building would create employment opportunities, generate tax revenue, and serve as a model for other cooperative organisations seeking to balance financial performance with social responsibility.
The ceremony was attended by leaders from the UPDF, local government officials, and SACCO representatives, including Col Omaria, Col Samuel Ssekamwa, Ms Bazizari Allen, Capt Dathan Bunanukye, WO I Osuko Peter, and Mr William Atalyeba.
Officials emphasised that the project demonstrates Wazalendo SACCO’s commitment to strengthening welfare services, promoting civil–military relations, and contributing to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. The new commercial complex is expected to improve access to financial services for soldiers and their families while fostering local business development and community engagement.
Through initiatives such as the Nakasongola complex, Wazalendo SACCO continues to highlight the importance of cooperative-based welfare systems in supporting national development. By combining financial sustainability with social impact, the SACCO sets a benchmark for similar institutions across the country, ensuring that military personnel and their families benefit from both economic opportunities and improved quality of life.