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General (Rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and Chairman of the Uganda Development Forum (UDF), has lauded the success of the Parish Revolving Fund (PRF) in the Acholi region, describing it as a testament to the power of collective effort.
He remarked on the programme’s significance during his keynote speech after a two-day UDF conference held at the Gulu Logistics Hub in Gulu City under the theme, “Meaning Business.”
“Today, our aspiration to reach the Parish level has been successfully realised. Acholi Land has accessed Ugx 129.83 billion through the Parish Revolving Fund (PRF),” Gen Saleh said.
He noted that this achievement not only transforms Acholi but also serves as a model for other regions to follow.
The conference gathered diverse stakeholders, including leaders from cooperative organisations, financial institutions, government agencies, private sector representatives, and policymakers, all focused on revitalising Uganda’s cooperative societies.
Gen Saleh underscored the urgent need for greater financial inclusion, stressing its role in empowering vulnerable communities and building economic resilience.
He also highlighted challenges that hinder the cooperative movement, such as limited access to financing, poor infrastructure, and governance issues.
To address these, he proposed innovative strategies to enhance operational efficiency and increase financial access in underserved regions.
The event spotlighted the critical role of collaboration between government entities, cooperative organisations, and private sector players in ensuring the sustainable growth of Uganda’s cooperative movement.
Participants emphasised the necessity of urgent policy reforms, improved access to training, and infrastructural development to create an enabling environment for cooperatives to thrive.
In his concluding remarks, Gen Saleh reiterated the importance of collective action in fostering economic transformation. Operation Wealth Creation continues to coordinate efforts across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, driving initiatives that spur economic growth and development.