Absa Bank Uganda has launched a new Retail and Business Banking campaign anchored on financial literacy, aimed at empowering individuals and small businesses to make informed borrowing decisions and use credit as a driver of sustainable growth.
The campaign responds to a growing concern within Uganda’s lending landscape, where many borrowers access credit without a clear understanding of available financing options or how to structure borrowing to meet long-term personal and business goals.
Speaking at the launch, Moses Rutahigwa, Director for Retail and Business Banking at Absa Bank Uganda, said the initiative goes beyond the provision of financial products to focus on building customer understanding and confidence around responsible borrowing.
“We believe deeply in the potential of every individual and business,” Rutahigwa said. “While we continue to offer innovative and accessible financial solutions, this campaign commits us to deliberate, practical engagement throughout the year. Our goal is to help customers understand credit, choose the right solutions and use borrowing as a catalyst for growth rather than stress.”
Through the campaign, Absa will engage customers across its branch network, digital platforms and media channels, offering practical guidance on financial discipline, loan structuring, business planning and personal money management. The programme will feature real customer success stories, expert insights and everyday financial tips designed to demystify borrowing and encourage responsible financial behaviour.
The campaign was officially launched during an interactive customer engagement session featuring personal finance coach Newton Buteraba and business leader Robert Kabushenga. The speakers shared candid lessons from their personal and professional financial journeys, highlighting early missteps, the importance of discipline and the long-term mindset required to build sustainable success.
Participants actively engaged during the session, raising practical questions on managing debt, planning for school fees, structuring business loans and balancing ambition with financial realities. The discussions underscored the core objective of the campaign: addressing the gap in access to relatable, practical financial guidance that enables confident and informed financial decision-making.
According to the Bank of Uganda, the banking industry’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3.66 percent by September 2025, down from 3.74 percent in the previous quarter. While the trend reflects a recovering economy and stronger credit risk management, NPLs remain a concern for the sector.
“Even with this positive trend, non-performing loans continue to affect the financial system,” Rutahigwa noted. “They are often driven by poor financial decisions, weak planning or the diversion of funds to unproductive uses. That is why financial literacy and discipline are critical. Our aim is to ensure customers borrow with clarity, purpose and confidence.”
Rutahigwa added that the campaign aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen financial capability across Uganda. The Bank of Uganda has championed a long-term financial literacy strategy aimed at enhancing consumer understanding of financial products and promoting informed decision-making as part of its mandate to advance financial inclusion and consumer protection.
At the industry level, the Uganda Bankers Association continues to lead consumer education and financial literacy initiatives that promote responsible banking practices and improve public awareness of effective money management. These combined efforts provide a strong strategic backdrop for Absa’s campaign.
The financial literacy drive is supported by a range of accessible financing solutions from Absa Bank Uganda. These include personal loans of up to Shs400 million with repayment periods of up to 96 months and guaranteed feedback within six hours; home loans of up to Shs2 billion at competitive rates for property purchase, construction or equity release; and digital loans of up to Shs5 million available instantly through the bank’s paperless mobile banking application.
Small and medium-sized enterprises can access unsecured business loans of up to Shs200 million with tenures of up to three years, as well as secured facilities of up to Shs600 million.
The bank also offers school fees bridge financing with unsecured loans of up to Shs500 million and zero arrangement fees, alongside vehicle asset financing solutions of up to Shs600 million. Competitive interest rates are available across products, tailored to individuals, entrepreneurs and SMEs.
