Annual Banking Theme: Beyond the Finish Line
The Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), in partnership with the Bank of Uganda (BoU) and the Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA), today announced the inaugural Annual Bankers’ Awards, a landmark event recognizing outstanding performance, innovation, professionalism, and transformative leadership across Uganda’s banking and financial services sector.
The ceremony, held at Mestil Hotel, marks the first time the industry has come together under one unified platform to celebrate excellence across a broad spectrum of professional and institutional disciplines.
The Annual Bankers’ Awards were conceived in late 2024 following sector-wide consultations arising from the Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala. What began as a proposal to create a dedicated awards day for sports achievements evolved into a broader, sector-transforming initiative to honor professional excellence across all banking disciplines—filling a long-standing gap in industry-wide recognition.
Celebrated under the theme “Beyond the Finish Line,” the awards underline resilience, service excellence, institutional leadership, and innovation—core principles required to build a world-class financial sector that serves people, businesses, and communities sustainably.
This edition attracted 57 high-quality submissions across 14 categories, reflecting the sector’s enthusiasm and the growing commitment to performance excellence.
Photo moments at the Annual Banking Awards Event at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, Uganda.
The winners of these categories include:
• ESG Excellence Award: Stanbic Bank
• Customer Experience of the Year Award
Tier 1: Stanbic Bank
Tier 2: UGAFODE
• Outstanding Digital Innovation of the Year Award: Centenary Bank
• Banker of the Year: Ms. Eva Nassazi from I&M Bank
• Financial Crime Prevention of the Year Award: Tropical Bank
• Bank of the Year: Stanbic Bank
• Best Bank in Agricultural Financing Award: Pearl Bank
• FinTech Partnership of the Year Award: Pearl Bank
• Best Branch Manager: Ms. Jessica Magheni from
• Best Bank in Asset Financing Award: NCBA
• Outstanding Young Banker: Mr. Douglas Mwambu from Housing Finance Bank
• Best Bank in Mortgage Financing: DFCU Bank
• Best Bank in SME Banking: Bank of Baroda
In addition, the ceremony recognizes:
• Winners from the 2025 Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala
1st: DTB Bank
02nd: Bank of Uganda
03rd : Equity Bank
• Institutions that have invested in capacity building with UIBFS
• UIBFS Members in the category: Fellows, and Honorary Fellows
To uphold integrity, transparency, and fairness, the evaluation process was overseen by PwC, while a panel of nine distinguished judges—drawn from across the financial ecosystem and bringing together over 100 years of combined industry experience—carefully assessed each submission.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO of UIBFS, Mrs. Goretti Masadde, noted:
“These awards come at the right time—a time when Uganda’s financial sector is evolving rapidly, embracing technology, redefining customer expectations, and expanding access to economic opportunities. Therefore, we need to recognize excellence because it is catalytic. It pushes us forward, strengthens our institutions, and sharpens our collective commitment to excellence.” She also expressed her gratitude to the judges and auditors for ensuring that the process was seamless and credible.
The Board Chair of UIBFS, Mr. Michael K. Mugabi, added:
“ As UIBFS, we are committed to strengthening this platform annually — refining categories, deepening stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that the Awards become the definitive standard of excellence within Uganda’s banking and financial services sector.
We look to a future where these Awards inspire innovation, motivate performance, and elevate the reputation of our sector nationally, regionally, and globally. ”
The Chief Guest, Mr. Moses Kaggwa, Ag. Director of Economic Affairs from the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development remarked
“The financial sector thrives when excellence is recognized and rewarded. These awards are timely and essential in spotlighting innovation, customer protection, risk management, and leadership—pillars that define a stable and progressive financial system. Bank of Uganda commends UIBFS and all sector partners for delivering a credible, transparent, and impactful initiative.”
The introduction of the Annual Bankers’ Awards marks a bold step toward strengthening public trust, enhancing industry transparency, and raising performance standards across the board. It reinforces the shared commitment of UIBFS, BoU, and UBA to drive transformation, nurture future leaders, and celebrate institutions and individuals shaping the future of Uganda’s financial ecosystem.
As the sector continues to evolve—driven by innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions—the Awards are positioned to become a flagship industry event that motivates excellence, accelerates professionalism, and inspires continued growth.
