Leaders of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) across Uganda have been urged to formalize their operations and introduce identification cards for members as a measure to curb fraud and strengthen accountability.
The call was made by the Presidential assistant on Communication Ian Gumisiriza during the launch of identification cards for members of People Grow Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd (PGROW) at Ntenjeru in Kayunga District.
The event attracted leaders from various SACCO groups affiliated to PGROW, who gathered to witness the rollout of the IDs aimed at distinguishing genuine members from impostors.
Gumisiriza warned that many SACCOs remain unregistered and lack proper systems to identify their members, making them vulnerable to exploitation by fraudsters.
“SACCOs that are not registered and do not have identification systems are at risk of being infiltrated by individuals with bad intentions. This can damage the credibility and trust of these organizations,” he said.
He encouraged SACCO leaders to prioritize registration and proper record-keeping, noting that such measures are critical in safeguarding members’ savings and ensuring long-term sustainability.
“You must take the necessary steps to protect your groups. Registration and issuing IDs is not optional anymore—it is essential,” he added.
Gumisiriza also reassured members of PGROW to remain united and focused, emphasizing that strong cooperation and transparency would help them achieve their financial goals.
The Director of PGROW, Prosy Nabaggala, said the introduction of identification cards would help streamline operations and eliminate individuals falsely claiming membership.
“These IDs will take us forward as an organization. We have been facing challenges with people pretending to be part of PGROW, but this will help us identify genuine members,” Nabaggala said.
She noted that the initiative marks a major step in strengthening trust and discipline within the SACCO network, especially as membership continues to grow across districts such as Masaka, Kayunga, and Jinja.
The chief guest later officially launched and distributed the identification cards to over 600 members, signaling a new phase of improved organization and accountability within the cooperative.