The Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), in partnership with the Bank of Uganda (BoU) and the Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA), has held the inaugural Annual Bankers’ Awards, the first event dedicated to recognizing excellence, innovation, and leadership across Uganda’s banking sector.
The ceremony, held at Mestil Hotel under the theme “Beyond the Finish Line,” brought together industry leaders to celebrate resilience, service quality, institutional leadership, and innovation—key drivers of a world-class financial sector.
The initiative, which began in late 2024 following consultations after the Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala, has evolved from honoring sporting achievements to recognizing professional excellence across all banking disciplines. The first edition received 57 submissions across 14 award categories.
Notable winners 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: Eva Nassazi, 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: Jessica Magheni
Best Bank in Asset Financing Award: NCBA
Outstanding Young Banker: Douglas Mwambu, Housing Finance Bank
Best Bank in Mortgage Financing: DFCU Bank
Best Bank in SME Banking: Bank of Baroda
The awards also recognized winners of the 2025 Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala and institutions investing in capacity building with UIBFS. PwC oversaw the evaluation to ensure transparency, while a panel of nine judges with over 100 years of combined experience assessed the submissions.
Speaking at the event, UIBFS CEO Goretti Masadde said the awards come at a pivotal time for Uganda’s financial sector, which is rapidly embracing technology, redefining customer expectations, and expanding access to economic opportunities. “Recognizing excellence is catalytic. It drives institutions forward, strengthens performance, and sharpens our collective commitment to high standards,” she said.
UIBFS Board Chair Michael K. Mugabi emphasized the awards’ role in inspiring innovation and motivating performance. “We are committed to making this platform an annual benchmark of excellence, deepening stakeholder engagement, and elevating the sector’s reputation nationally, regionally, and globally,” he said.
The Chief Guest, Moses Kaggwa, Acting Director of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance, praised the initiative as essential for promoting innovation, customer protection, risk management, and leadership.
“The financial sector thrives when excellence is recognized and rewarded. Bank of Uganda commends UIBFS and its partners for delivering a credible, transparent, and impactful initiative,” he said.
