KAMPALA — Lady Justice Mary Kaitesi Kisakye has been elected Chairperson of the Uganda Judicial Officers Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (UJO-Sacco), ushering in a new leadership team tasked with strengthening savings, expanding investments and enhancing financial empowerment for judicial officers.
Lady Justice Kisakye was elected during the Sacco’s Elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall in Kampala, where members reviewed the institution’s performance and discussed strategies for future growth.
The newly elected Executive Committee comprises Dr. Alex Karocho Mushabe as Vice Chairperson, Timothy Lumunye as Treasurer and Jessica Chemeri as Secretary.
Other committee members are Lady Justice Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha, representing Justices and Judges; Naume Sikhoya, representing Registrars and Chief Magistrates; Evelyn Najjuko, representing Magistrates; and Charles Yeteise, representing retired judicial officers.
Members also re-elected Geoffrey Kiryabwire as Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee. He will be assisted by Marion Ninsiima and Sheila Fiona Angura.
Upon her election, Lady Justice Kisakye expressed gratitude to members for the confidence they had placed in her and pledged to build on the achievements of the outgoing leadership.
“We will definitely take this Sacco to greater heights,” she said, promising to work closely with the newly elected committee to strengthen the institution and improve services to members.
The elections marked a significant leadership transition for UJO-Sacco, which has served judicial officers for the past 13 years as a vehicle for savings, affordable credit and investment.
In his farewell remarks, outgoing Chairperson Justice Boniface Wamala commended members for their continued support and highlighted the Sacco’s achievements during the 2025 financial year.
He reported that membership increased from 338 members in 2024 to 351 members by the end of 2025.
The Sacco’s loan portfolio grew from Shs1.84 billion to Shs2.259 billion during the same period, while share capital, savings and total assets also registered steady growth.
Justice Wamala further noted that loan recoveries had improved significantly following the introduction of standing orders.
He announced that members would receive interest of 10 per cent per annum on savings and revealed that a dividend of Shs5,000 per share had been recommended following the surplus recorded during the year.
Despite the positive performance, he cautioned that the Sacco continues to face several challenges, including low participation in the Special Savers Scheme, inadequate savings among some members, delayed subscription payments and loan repayment defaults arising from cancelled or unfunded standing orders.
“The Sacco’s potential remains largely underutilised,” Justice Wamala said, urging members to embrace the cooperative spirit through active participation and consistent saving.
Addressing members, Justice Kiryabwire challenged judicial officers to think beyond short-term financial needs and adopt a long-term vision for the institution’s growth.
“You cannot have cooperation without cooperators,” he remarked, noting that despite having 351 registered members, only about 100 to 120 actively participate in Sacco activities.
Drawing lessons from Kenya’s Sheria Sacco, Justice Kiryabwire encouraged members to pursue ambitious growth targets and work collectively towards transforming UJO-Sacco into a stronger and more sustainable institution.
Lady Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, President of the International Association of Women Judges Uganda Chapter, also addressed the gathering and encouraged judicial officers, particularly women, to embrace saving and investing through the Sacco.
Sharing her personal experience, she described how disciplined saving had enabled her to appreciate the value of long-term financing and urged members to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the cooperative.
The AGM concluded with renewed calls for greater member participation, increased savings and a shared commitment to strengthening UJO-Sacco’s role in promoting financial security and investment among Uganda’s judicial officers.
