Pride Bank has launched the Pride Bridge Finance Facility, a specialised financing solution aimed at helping private schools, educational institutions and religious organisations manage short-term cash flow pressures while building long-term financial resilience.
The new facility was unveiled at an event attended by school proprietors, education sector stakeholders, development partners and members of the media as the bank expands its sector-focused financial solutions to support institutions that contribute significantly to Uganda’s socio-economic development.
Many schools face recurring financial pressures because operational costs — including staff salaries, utilities, maintenance, infrastructure development and procurement of learning materials — continue throughout the academic term, while their main revenue source, school fees, is collected periodically.
Pride Bank said the mismatch between expenses and income often creates temporary liquidity gaps that can disrupt service delivery and delay institutional investments.
The Pride Bridge Finance Facility is designed to address these challenges by providing working capital support that enables eligible institutions to maintain smooth operations while awaiting fee collections.
The facility offers financing ranging from shs5 million to shs1 billion, with repayment periods of between one and 60 months structured around institutional cash flow cycles.
The financing can be used for various institutional needs, including payment of staff salaries, utility bills, school maintenance, purchase of teaching and learning materials, acquisition of equipment and furniture, as well as construction and expansion projects.
For religious institutions, the facility will provide support for daily operations and emergency requirements. Eligible institutions will be required to maintain an account with Pride Bank, with financing amounts determined by their collection patterns, including offertory income. The facility provides flexible repayment periods of up to 12 months.
Speaking during the launch, Timothy Asingya, Relationship Manager – SME at Pride Bank, said the facility demonstrates the bank’s commitment to developing solutions tailored to customers’ unique needs.
“Education is one of the most important drivers of national development. Through the Pride Bridge Finance Facility, we are helping schools manage cash flow more effectively so they can focus on delivering quality education rather than worrying about short-term financing challenges. Our goal is to become a long-term financial partner to Uganda’s education sector by providing practical solutions that strengthen institutional resilience and support sustainable growth,” Asingya said.
The Manager for Agribusiness and Green Finance at Pride Bank, Joseph Lwanga Mugerwa Kiggundu, said the solution goes beyond traditional lending by providing institutions with a broader financial ecosystem to improve efficiency and strengthen financial management.
A key component of the facility is School Pay, Pride Bank’s digital school fees collection platform, which enables schools to receive secure digital payments, improve reconciliation processes, enhance accountability and maintain stronger financial records for better planning and credit assessment.
The facility is also supported by other banking solutions, including school fees loans for parents and guardians, bulk salary processing, salary loans for teaching and non-teaching staff, staff savings schemes and minors’ savings accounts designed to promote financial literacy among learners.
Kiggundu said the integrated approach distinguishes Pride Bank’s offering from conventional credit products by addressing the needs of the entire education value chain.
“Schools require more than access to credit. They require financial systems that improve efficiency, strengthen governance and support long-term growth. By combining working capital financing with digital fee collection and value-added banking solutions, we are helping schools build stronger financial foundations while creating greater convenience for parents, teachers and learners,” he said.
To access the facility, schools and religious institutions must maintain an institutional account with Pride Bank, enrol on the School Pay platform, demonstrate consistent collections and provide the required registration and governance documentation.
Credit assessment will primarily be based on an institution’s collection history and cash flow performance.
Pride Bank said the launch of the Bridge Finance Facility reinforces its commitment to developing innovative, customer-centred financial solutions that respond to the needs of Uganda’s key economic sectors.
The bank said it will continue expanding specialised products aimed at enabling institutions to grow sustainably while contributing to inclusive economic development.
