Money you can build on
Savings accounts, affordable loans, financial linkages for young and single mothers, and credit that keeps girls in school.
Our financial servicesRwenzori region, Uganda · Since 2010
Rural women rising, together.
Basu Sacco is a member-owned savings and credit cooperative for rural women in Uganda. With 2,000 active members, we pair secure savings and affordable loans with training, skills and community programs that help women and their families break the cycle of poverty.
Registered under Uganda’s Cooperative Societies Act, Cap. 107, Laws of Uganda
10+
years serving rural communities
2,000
active members
7
core program areas
Equal
rights and a voice for every member
Who we are
Built for the women traditional banks leave out.
Poverty and financial exclusion weigh heaviest on rural women. Basu Women Rural Savings and Credit Association was founded in 2010 to change that, with a deep commitment to the women and communities that formal finance too often overlooks.
We are a deposit-taking Savings and Credit Cooperative, registered under Uganda’s Cooperative Societies Act, Cap. 107, Laws of Uganda. Our goal is simple: to promote a savings culture among rural women and create a source of loanable funds that helps them overcome financial hardship.
More than a decade on, progressive leadership, dedicated staff and community support have helped Basu grow into a vital resource for 2,000 active members.
Read our storyMore than a savings group
Money, skills and a healthier community, together.
Basu goes beyond financial services. Our programs are designed for holistic community development, with long-term benefits for women, families and whole communities.
Skills you can use
Financial education, vocational skilling and apprenticeships, plus business development support to start and grow an enterprise.
Skills programsA community that thrives
Clean water, safe sanitation, education and sustainable agriculture, so families are healthier and more resilient.
All program areasWhat makes us different
A cooperative where every member counts.
Four things set Basu Sacco apart from other places a woman might save or borrow.
Equal rights, equal voice
Every member of Basu Sacco has equal rights and a voice in how the Sacco is managed. That democratic structure builds transparency and accountability, and puts decisions about members' financial wellbeing in members' hands.
We know our members
Our "Know the Basu Customer" (KBC) approach is personal and proactive. We take the time to understand the real challenges and financial needs of the women and communities we serve.
Impact comes first
Many organizations offer financial services. Basu is focused on what those services change in women's lives, and on long-term socio-economic empowerment beyond access alone.
Tailored to rural women
A wide range of flexible, affordable products and services, including savings accounts, loans and financial literacy training, shaped around the needs of women in rural Uganda.
What we do
Five ways we stand with women.
Basu is dedicated to improving the livelihoods of rural women through financial services, training and community-based initiatives.
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Financial access for vulnerable women
Savings accounts, affordable loans and financial products designed for women who are typically excluded from traditional banking.
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Financial literacy
Educational programs that build strong money-management skills, from budgeting to saving to investing.
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Enterprise and business development services
Training, mentorship and access to capital to start and grow small businesses.
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Financial linkages for low-income young and single mothers
Financial support for young and single mothers who lack collateral and so cannot reach traditional credit.
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Credit for girl child education
Special credit products that promote the education of girls.
Core program areas
Seven program areas for stronger families and communities.
Each program is built to create long-term, positive change for women, families and communities across the Rwenzori region.
Sanitation and Hygiene
Better health through safe sanitation and everyday hygiene practices.
Learn moreWater, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education, built with the community.
Learn moreSkilling
Practical, hands-on skills so women and youth can earn a living of their own.
Learn moreFinancial Education
Budgeting, saving, credit and risk: the knowledge behind sound money decisions.
Learn moreEducation
Keeping children, especially girls, in school, and supporting lifelong learning for women.
Learn moreApprenticeship Training
Job-ready experience, learning alongside local artisans and businesses.
Learn moreSustainable Agriculture
Farming that feeds families and protects the land they depend on.
Learn moreNot sure where to start?
Tell us about your situation and we will point you to the right support.
Talk to our teamFrom the field
Where the work happens.
From small home businesses to tree nurseries and growing crops, this is what community development looks like up close.
Where we work
Rooted in the Rwenzori region.
Basu serves rural women and communities across Uganda, with a particular focus on the underserved communities along the Rwenzori region. Their wellbeing, and the land they live from, is what our work is for.
More about where we workOur mission
To create an economically resilient and food-secure women’s community by empowering women through financial services, training and advocacy.
Our vision
To improve the social and economic wellbeing of underserved communities along Uganda’s Rwenzori region by promoting environmental and nature conservation, sustainable agriculture, education and skills development.
Come and be part of it.
Whether you are a woman ready to start saving or an organization ready to partner, we would love to hear from you.