Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening the capital base of the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to enable it effectively deliver on its mandate of accelerating the country’s socio-economic transformation.
Nabbanja made the remarks on Friday while officiating at a ceremony marking the completion of a refresher training in patriotic and transformative leadership by UDB staff at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
“As you are aware, the Government allocated an additional UGX 1 trillion to UDB in the current financial year. We recognise the need to further expand the Bank’s loan portfolio and are committed to strengthening its capital base to enable it fully deliver on its mandate,” Nabbanja said.
She noted that through institutions such as UDB, the Government aims to build a strong class of Ugandan entrepreneurs capable of driving sustainable socio-economic transformation.
The Prime Minister described UDB as a strategic institution in the implementation of the Government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and Vision 2040.
“I appreciate UDB for prioritising this training for its staff. This commitment demonstrates the importance of nurturing leaders who are grounded in the values and vision that guide our country,” she said.
Nabbanja also acknowledged the Bank’s contribution to the economy through job creation, tax revenue, foreign exchange generation, and improved enterprise profitability.
The training programme focused on deepening ideological clarity, strengthening national consciousness, and enhancing leadership capacity to support UDB’s mandate of financing Uganda’s long-term socio-economic transformation in line with national development priorities.
Speaking at the ceremony, UDB Managing Director Dr. Patricia Ojangole said the training equipped staff with critical insights into the Bank’s mandate and its role in advancing national transformation.
“The skills and knowledge acquired at NALI have reinvigorated our team as we implement UDB’s new five-year business strategy, which places greater emphasis on structuring, transaction advisory, and crowding in development finance from both local and international sources,” Dr. Ojangole said.
She added that the training provided deeper understanding of Uganda’s strategic position in the current global order and the country’s economic interests.
“UDB is committed to providing the right financial instruments and products to strengthen Uganda’s participation and competitiveness in the global economy,” she said, noting the Bank’s continued support for the private sector amid volatile global economic conditions.
The training comes as UDB enters the second year of implementing its new five-year business strategy, which is anchored on expanding its role in structuring, transaction advisory, and mobilising development finance to support investment across the country.
The Director of NALI Kyankwanzi, Col. Okei Rukogota, commended UDB’s leadership for its commitment to ideological grounding and institutional cohesion.
“It is rare to see an institution bring all its staff together for ideological regeneration. We commend UDB’s leadership for this exemplary commitment,” Col. Rukogota said.
The week-long programme covered areas including ideological and political education, national development priorities, the role of financial institutions in building a competitive economy, national security considerations, Uganda’s strategic positioning in the global order, and transformative methods of work.
