High Court judge Kaitesi elected chairperson of judicial officers SACCO

KAMPALA - High Court judge Mary Kisakye Kaitesi has been elected chairperson of the Uganda Judicial Officers Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (UJO-SACCO).

UJO-SACCO aims to strengthen savings, expand investments and enhance the financial empowerment of judicial officers.

Justice Kaitesi was elected during the SACCO’s Elective Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall in Kampala on May 30, 2026.

Chief Magistrate Dr Alex Karocho Mushabe was elected vice chairperson of the SACCO, while Court of Appeal Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire was re-elected chairperson of the Supervisory Committee.

Kaitesi pledged to build on the achievements registered by 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 transition for the 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 and High Court judge Boniface Wamala commended members for their continued support and highlighted the SACCO’s achievements during the 2025 financial year.

He reported that membership had grown from 338 members in 2024 to 351 by the end of 2025, while the loan portfolio increased from sh1.84 billion to sh2.259 billion.

Justice Wamala said share capital, savings and total assets also registered steady growth during the year.

He noted that loan recoveries had improved significantly following the introduction of standing orders and announced that members would receive interest of 10 per cent per annum on savings.

A dividend of sh5,000 per share was also recommended following the surplus recorded during the year.

UJO-SACCO members cutting the cake after the AGM on Saturday May 30, 2026. (Credit: Farooq Kasule)

Wamala, however, said the SACCO faced 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 under-utilised,” Wamala observed.
He urged members to embrace the cooperative spirit through active participation and consistent saving.

Justice Kiryabwire challenged members to think beyond short-term financial needs and adopt a long-term vision for the institution.

“You cannot have cooperation without cooperators,” he remarked.

He noted that despite having 351 registered members, only about 100 to 120 actively participate in SACCO activities.

Drawing lessons from Kenya’s Sharia SACCO, Justice Kiryabwire encouraged members to pursue ambitious growth and transform UJO-SACCO into a stronger and more sustainable institution.

High Court judge Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, the president of the International Association of Women Judges Uganda Chapter (IAWJ-UC), encouraged judicial officers, particularly women, to embrace saving and investing through the SACCO.

She shared her personal journey with the SACCO and described how disciplined saving had enabled her to appreciate the value of long-term financial planning.

Members appealed for increased participation, stronger financial literacy programmes and the introduction of tailored savings products to cater for various needs, including housing, education, retirement, emergencies and investment projects.

The meeting also proposed the establishment of an annual "SACCO Month" to intensify member mobilisation and savings campaigns, as well as strengthen mediation mechanisms for loan recovery before resorting to enforcement measures.

Representing the president of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA), Magistrate Vincent Muzeyi reaffirmed the association’s commitment to collaborating with the SACCO in advancing the welfare and financial empowerment of judicial officers.

The AGM concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony and the presentation of appreciation awards to members of the outgoing Executive Committee in recognition of their dedicated service and contribution to the growth of UJO-SACCO.

Members expressed confidence that, under its new leadership, the SACCO is well-positioned to strengthen membership, expand its financial portfolio and continue serving as a key pillar of economic empowerment within the judiciary.