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East Acholi cooperative union aims to revive and combat poverty

30 December 2025, 7:05 pm

Members attending the East Acholi Cooperative Union (EACU) meeting at the District Headquarters.

By Okwong Geoffery

Members of primary cooperative societies across Pader District have agreed to revive the East Acholi Cooperative Union (EACU) as a strategy to combat poverty and improve household incomes in the region.

The resolution was reached on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, during a meeting attended by members of 22 registered primary societies in Pader District.

Addressing the gathering at the District Headquarters, the District Commercial Officer, Michael Ojok, said reviving EACU would deliver more tangible benefits to the community compared with leaving the union dormant.

Michael Ojok on the revival of East Acholi Cooperative Union (EACU) – Eng.

Ojok appealed to fellow District Commercial Officers in Agago, Kitgum, and Lamwo districts to strengthen primary societies, noting that robust grassroots cooperatives are key to ensuring meaningful benefits reach ordinary community members.

According to Ojok, cooperation among districts is essential to fully revive the East Acholi Cooperative Union so that its services can reach the common person, who currently receives little or no benefit.

George Okot Pa’Adonga, a delegate and member of Palwo Growers Cooperative Society, said that fighting poverty requires addressing challenges on all fronts and implementing better systems and procedures.

Pa’Adonga warned critics opposing the revival of the cooperative union, urging them to allow those committed to the initiative to proceed for the development of the region. He discouraged divisive politics in the name of development.

George Okot Pa’Adonga on avoiding divisive politics in regional development – Eng.

Meanwhile, Agnes Aber Opira, a member of Atanga–Payira Cooperative Society in Lacekocot, called for unity among members, emphasising that it is essential for ensuring all members benefit from the revived cooperative union.

Agnes Aber Opira on the importance of unity in the cooperative union – Luo.

The meeting aimed to allow members to voluntarily commit to operating under the cooperative union framework, review the progress made so far in the revival process, and discuss the way forward based on a roadmap provided by the Registrar of Cooperatives.