Members of cooperatives in the country have donated Rwf93.5 million to disabled former liberation fighters in recognition of their work.

The donation was announced yesterday as cooperative representatives from across the country convened in Kigali to celebrate International Day of Cooperatives.

The day was marked under the theme, "Choose co-operative, choose equality.”

The day is annually marked on the first Saturday of July, but in Rwanda, it was postponed as it had coincided with the Liberation Day celebrations on July 4, according to Damien Mugabo, the director-general of Rwanda Cooperative Agency.

Augustin Katabarwa, the chairman of National Cooperatives Confederation, said cooperatives are much indebted to disabled veterans who risked their lives to liberate the country, setting the ground for cooperatives to prosper.

Katabarwa added that cooperatives last year promised Rwf400 million to disabled ex-combatants.

Receiving the donation, Jean Sayinzoga, the chairperson of Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission, thanked cooperatives for their support which he associated with Rwandan values.

"We appreciate your acknowledgement of the work of the disabled ex-combatants in the liberation of our country. This recognition upholds our values to serve the nation and protect its sovereignty,” he said.

François Kanimba, the Minister for Trade and Industry, urged Rwandans to work with cooperatives, describing them as ‘the best driver of inclusive development’.

"In these times when the world, I would remind Rwandans that working together in cooperatives is the best way to bridge that gap and promote national growth,” he said.

Kanimba affirmed the Government’s commitment to empowering cooperatives and warned leaders against mismanagement of the cooperatives’ funds.

Members of cooperatives narrate achievements

Katabarwa said more than 1,000 new cooperatives have been formed since last year, making about 7,500 cooperatives to which more than three million people are members.

Marie Claire Mukazitoni, a 45-year-old widow from Karongi District, said she has grown from a subsistent farmer to a millionaire, thanks to Umurenge Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO).

"At first, I feared to apply for a loan from the SACOO, but I later asked for Rwf50,000, which I invested in trading in clothes. Gradually, I applied for up to Rwf1 million, which has boosted my business” she said.

Emmanuel Ndahimana, a motorcyclist in Kicukiro District, also spoke about the benefits of working in cooperatives, saying they have helped him acquire a motorcycle, construct a house in Kigali and have life insurance for his family.

Civialid Nzanzubuhoro, a member of KAIMU, a cooperative of wheat growers in Nyaruguru District, said he has built a modern house worth Rwf16.6 million and bought a Fuso truck which he uses in business thanks to money he got from a cooperative.

Members of cooperatives attributed their success to good governance.

The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1995.

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