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Newburn from Bonde, 12/10/82
Report on Safari, North and East Districts - Pg 6
They have an adequate supply of hoops and gunny bags for this
year's cotton crop. At times the'e may not be an adequate fuel
supply. According to the manager, the Lint Marketing Board is
slow in paVing for the cott6n, and this leads to dissatisfied
local societies. Generally, this Union is well organized and
has a good handle on things. ,
Bugisu Cooperative Union Ltd.. Mbale
Staff members present: Francies Nagimesi, Secy/Mgr
Charles Mug6ve, Transport Officer
Samuel Ibud, Dist. Coop Officer
This Union owns and operates a coffee mill, and at one time
was associated with the Masaba Cooperative Union which is a
cotton union. Since they were then making more money than the
coffee union, they chose to become a separate organization.
The situation ic now reversed, and since 70 p-rcent of the
member's belong to both tunions, there hss been talk of a merger
acain, to reduce overhead.
The coffee union is not interested
in su.h a merper. In discussing the possibilitv of Masnbn
and North Mbale unions merging. Mr. Nagimesi tells us thev are
of different tribes and it would never work.
This union orerates 15 lorries of which three are down for
lack of spares. and they could use an additional 10 units. They
rent lorries from rrivate owners rather than from U.C.T.U. which
they think are too expensive.
The coffee is shipped by rail directly to Mombasa for export.
Lack of wagons for loading was responsible for shutting down
the second shift on the day we visited, and seems to be their
only major problem. This is a very well organized and suiccessful
organizntion.
Masaba Coonerative Union- Mbale
Since the manager of this Union was out of town, we met instead
with John Aturia, the Chief Accountant, when he was available
in the evening.
This Union owns seven lorries, all of them operating. They
employ eight drivers and 14 turnboys. In addition to their cotton
operation. ther transport merchandise, produce, plantain' sand,
bricks, timber, molasses and animals. According to John. the
transport operation is very profitable. When asked about U.C.T.U.
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