Challenges in Intra-Data Sharing in Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Uganda: A Case of Wazalendo SACCO

Abstract

Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) increasingly depend on effective internal data sharing to support transparent governance, efficient services, informed decision-making, and financial inclusion. However, fragmented information practices, limited technological infrastructure, and governance constraints continue to hinder reliable data exchange within many SACCOs in Uganda. This study investigates the types of data shared, the mechanisms used for intra-organizational data exchange, and the major challenges affecting data-sharing practices at Wazalendo SACCO. A qualitative single-case study was conducted involving 30 participants, comprising 10 management personnel and 20 ordinary members. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14, generating 187 initial codes that were refined into 42 focused codes and three major thematic clusters. The findings identified transparency deficits as the most prominent challenge, reported by 80% of participants, followed by standardization gaps (75%) and security concerns (65%). Digital systems accounted for 42.3% of identified sharing methods, while physical/manual methods represented 38.9%, revealing continued dependence on fragmented hybrid practices. The study's novelty lies in interpreting these challenges not as isolated technical limitations but as an interconnected socio-technical governance problem. It introduces the Governance-Capacity Paradox, demonstrating that transparency failures may arise from limited institutional capacity to process and communicate data effectively, thereby providing a broader framework for improving SACCO data governance.