Uganda has kicked off a major nationwide drive to improve financial discipline, resilience, and sustainability among citizens and financial institutions, marking World Savings Day 2025 with the launch of the sixth annual Banking and Financial Services Awareness Campaign (BAFSAC).
The campaign themed “Financial Health: From Earnings to Sustainability” was unveiled by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) in partnership with the Bank of Uganda (BoU) and the Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA) at Mestil Hotel, Kampala.
Dubbed “Planned Adult”, the seven-month initiative seeks to shift Ugandans from short-term money habits to longer-term financial planning, encouraging citizens to think beyond “money today” toward “money today and tomorrow.”
It will focus on seven pillars: planning, saving, investment, responsible borrowing, insurance, retirement planning, and digital finance while promoting habits like recycling, reducing waste, and supporting green financing.
UIBFS Chief Executive Officer, Goretti Masadde, stressed that building financial resilience is now a national priority.
“This year’s BAFSAC campaign, dubbed the ‘Planned Adult’ campaign, is a strategic call to empower Ugandans with the knowledge and tools for long-term financial resilience, ensuring that every financial decision contributes to personal, institutional, and global sustainability.”
The initiative will also push banks to align profits with environmental and social priorities — through sustainable lending, responsible operations, and corporate social responsibility.
Fresh research highlights the urgency of the campaign. The FinScope Uganda 2023 study found that: 7 in 10 Ugandans operate with budget deficits, 9 in 10 lack a plan for financial emergencies and awareness of green growth remains low at 28%
Meanwhile, World Bank Global Findex data shows only 54% of Ugandans have formal savings accounts and just 26% hold deposit accounts, despite a surge in mobile-money savings.
UIBFS Board Chair and Housing Finance Bank Managing Director Michael K. Mugabi said the campaign aligns with government goals under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2023-2028) and Bank of Uganda’s 2025 financial wellness drive.
“Today’s launch, under the theme ‘Financial Health: From Earnings to Sustainability,’ could not be more timely. It challenges us—both as individuals and institutions—to think deeply about what true financial sustainability means in our current economic environment.”
Mugabi emphasized integrating fintech, sustainable banking, and behavioural change to reduce poverty and strengthen Uganda’s economic resilience.
The initiative seeks to turn everyday financial habits into long-term stability — urging Ugandans to plan before they earn, save consistently, borrow responsibly, and invest in future-proof solutions.
