Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) has offered over 250 study scholarships to children of coffee farmers in Elgon region. This was revealed by the Cooperative Chairperson Nathan Nandala Mafabi who doubles as the FDC Secretary General in Najanankumbi Offices. Nandala has approved the disbursement of Uganda Shs 199,925, 000 Ugsh to support 275 students pursuing higher education.
The bursary program aims to assist children of coffee farmers who have contributed significantly to the union’s success by delivering 2500kgs of coffee as a store. Those who deliver 300kgs are also eligible for the bursaries.
According to Nandala, the initiative has been an annual tradition for BCU, ensuring that deserving students have the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations.
Over time, BCU has supported 50,000 children of farmers to access quality tertiary education.
Wasagali Babra, the General Manager of Bugisu Cooperative Union, says the program is a testament to the union’s commitment to empowering the next generation and promoting education as a means of achieving sustainable development. She said all institutions were cleared by Friday afternoon.
Wangalwa Difasi, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude to the union for their support, emphasizing the timeliness of the assistance as he was preparing for exams.
The Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) is a Ugandan agricultural cooperative federation, established in July 1954. It was started by a group of coffee farmers led by The Late EV.Samson Kitutu. A new Bugisu coffee ordinance was enacted in 1955 providing for BCU ltd to take over all the marketing functions from the Bugisu coffee scheme as well as all the scheme’s assets except the reserve funds which were still held by Bugisu coffee board. The Union is one of the successful cooperations in Eastern Uganda.