Who We Are?
Our story
From Five Farmers to Eleven Thousand
Kyarumba Banywani Tree Farmers SACCO was established in 2012 as the Rwenzori Foundation for Integrated Development — a small group of self-motivated farmers planting eucalyptus trees in Kaghema Parish, Kyarumba Sub-County. Alongside tree planting, the group ran savings and credit services and offered career guidance and capacity building for grassroots women’s groups in Kasese, including the Rwenzori Save to Serve Women Association.
In 2016, the group submitted a proposal to the Kasese Eco-Trust Office to expand operations across the Eastern and Western parts of Kasese District, with the goal of fighting the extinction of indigenous tree species. The initiative took off — by 2017, membership had grown from 30 to over 200. As the group grew, so did its ambitions: members chose a new name, Kyarumba Banywani Tree Farmers Savings and Credits Cooperative Limited, to reflect their geographical roots and their vision for national and international recognition.
Today, KBT has over 11,200 registered farmers and operates across 14 sub-counties including Kyondo, Munkunyu, Mahango, Muhokya, Kahokya, Kisinga, Kitabu, Kilembe, Isango, Kinyamaseke, Bwera, Kitholhu, Ihandiro, and Nyakiyumbu. Our main office is in Kisanga Cell, Kyarumba Town Council, Bukonzo East Constituency, Kasese District.
Our History
Founded as the Rwenzori Foundation for Integrated Development. Launched tree planting, savings, and women's empowerment programs in Kyarumba Sub-County
Partnership formalised with Eco-Trust Uganda. Membership grew from 30 to over 200. Group rebranded to Kyarumba Banywani Tree Farmers SACCO.
Coffee business launched, giving farmers a direct income stream from one of the region's most valuable crops.
Eco-Trust funded four coffee branches (Kyarumba, Kyondo, Kisinga, Kitabu) with UGX 25 million each, totalling UGX 100 million.
Membership surpassed 8,000. KBT Clinic established. Land procured across multiple sub-counties. Operational offices opened in eight locations.
Membership reaches 11,200. UGX 1.3 billion carbon finance received. Coffee packaging launched. Apiary and health centre expansion underway.
Our Team
Baluku Joel
Director
Muhindo Nason
BOD Chairperson
Kule Henry
Chaiperson KBT
Velina Kabairwa
Cashier
Muhindo Lawrence
KBT Secretary
BACKGROUND
The cooperative is located in kyarumba town council in the eastern Bukonzo part of kasese district and its head office is in kyarumba town.
The cooperative started in the year 2012 by five people as Rwenzori foundation for integrated development implementing tree planting in particular eucalyptus to self motivated farmers, savings and credits cooperative , career guidance and grooming of grass root women groups within in Kasese municipality.
In 2017 the group had been embraced by many people and had increased to 200 members who were engaging in all group programs and particularly tree planting started partnering with Ecotrust Uganda whose thematic activities are focused on environmental conservation and livelihood improvement that started facilitating the activities of the group and resulted into engagement of many members who rose from 200 to 800 in 2018 and thus opted to change the group name from Rwenzori foundation for integrated development to kyarumba Banywani Tree farmers savings and credits cooperative limited.
The cooperative by 2022 has over 6000 registered member and has expanded its operation from Kyarumba Sub County to other 11 sub counties within Kasese district. These include; Kyarumba, Kyondo, Munkunyu, Mahango, Muhokya, Kahokya, Kisinga, Kitabu, Kilembe, Isango and kinyamaseke.
OUR TEAM
BALUKU JOEL
DIRECTOR
MUHINDO NASON
BOD CHAIRPERSON
KULE HENRY
CHAIRPERSON KBT
BWAMBALE ALFRED
LOANS OFFICER
BWAMBALE LAWRENCE
KBT SECRETARY
VELINA KABAIRWA
CASHIER
OBJECTIVES
To unite the community bordering RNP in order to benefit from resource there
To promote income generating activities such as Tree planting, Bee keeping and Craft
To boost on the talent of savings and credit schemes through revolving funds
To ensure environmental protection through the different programs related
Encourage group business to improve member savings
Our Core Values
- Transparency
- Equality
- Time bound
- Accountability
- Respect
- Socialness