Kampala — THE Uganda Insurers Association has retained the best business associations and community awards 2009, beating over 400 contenders to the crown.

The awards handed over to the insurers' umbrella body at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel over the weekend were organised by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda to promote good governance, excellent association management and leadership practices within the business association sector.

The insurers won the inaugural award last year, after they were voted the best in good governance, membership development, ability to raise funds, efficient operating costs and sustainable business strategy.

The insurers were also recognised as the "centre and point of reference for excellence."

The first runners-up in the national category was the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda, while the Uganda Crane Creameries Cooperative Union came second runners-up.

In the urban category, the National Union of Hair Dressers' Association emerged the winners.

The Kawempe Youth Development Association and Gulu Women Mobile Caterers' Association were the first and second runners-up in this category respectively.

The Nakasongola District Farmers Association emerged the winner in the central region category.

The first runners-up was Kichusa Integrated Development Association, while the Masaka Disabled Association emerged the second runners-up.

In the eastern region, the Kapchorwa Commercial Farmers' Association was declared the winner.

The first runners-up was Bukedea Women Group, while the second slot went to the Eastern Private Sector Association.

The North East Chilli Producers Association took the northern region category accolade, while the Moyo District Farmers' Association and Atiak Youth Rural Development Initiative were declared the first and second runners-up respectively.

In the western region category, the Ankole Private Sector Association took the honours, while the Kabarole District Farmers' Association and Mbarara District Farmers' Association were the first and second runners-up respectively.

The prizes included transport facilities, computers and internet connection, cash prizes, furniture and office equipment, processing machines and business development support.

The criteria for the awards were good governance, membership development, and activities for members, representation of members, lobbying and advocacy.

Other criteria used were financial management of the association, communication, innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage and measured objectives.

Syda Bbumba, the finance minister, who handed over the awards to the winners, said the Government shares the view that enterprises must join business networks and cooperatives to engage in economic activities that lead to and sustain growth.

"As a country, we must therefore develop sound strategies and development programmes to support and transform the existing business associations and cooperatives into vehicles that shall help deliver an independent, integrated and self sustaining economy," she said.

"As a small and growing private sector, the main challenge is to cooperate and build trust and compete.

"This will build confidence in financial institutions to lend money." the minister emphasised.

The awards were sponsored by the Vision Group, Zain, PostBank, the National Agricultural Advisory Services, the Health Initiatives for the Private Sector, Stanbic Bank and Roofings Ltd.