Corporate firms push for wellness in workplaces
DTB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Godfrey Sebaana, whose entity hosted the forum, challenged young professionals to embrace leadership by stepping outside their comfort zones and investing in meaningful relationships.
From Top left: Goretti Masadde , the CEO at UIBFS (in pink top), addresses the forum. Top right: Godrey Sebaana, DTB's Managing Director, speaks at the event. Bottom left: Dr Mary Kansiime, UIBFS (blue Coat), speaks at the forum, with other participants at the forum.
Bankers and financial sector professionals are encouraged to prioritise workplace wellness, professional networking, and continuous learning as key ingredients for career growth and institutional success.
The call was made on July 2, 2026, during an evening session of a Members Networking Forum hosted by Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) at its head offices in Kampala.
The event, organised by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), was held under the theme, "Wellness and Learning: Thriving Beyond Work."
The forum brought together professionals from across Uganda's banking and financial services industry, including representatives from Equity Bank, Cairo Bank and other financial institutions.
Participants also took part in networking sessions and an energetic Zumba fitness exercise held in the bank's parking lot to emphasise the importance of physical wellness.
Addressing participants, UIBFS Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Mary Kansiime emphasised that collaboration and professional networking are becoming increasingly important in a rapidly changing financial services sector.
"The banking and financial services sector continues to evolve rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing customer expectations, sustainability considerations and regulatory developments," Dr Kansiime said.
"In such an environment, no institution can thrive in isolation."
She encouraged banking professionals to build meaningful partnerships and share knowledge, noting that professional networks are now essential drivers of innovation, resilience and sustainable growth.
"Networking forums such as this create the platform for these important conversations and collaborations to take place," she said.
Dr Kansiime commended Diamond Trust Bank for hosting the forum and for its continued contribution to the development of Uganda's banking industry.
UIBFS Chief Executive Officer, Goretti Masadde, said such engagements strengthen relationships across the financial services ecosystem while creating opportunities to exchange ideas and develop collaborative solutions for the industry's future.
Masadde also thanked DTB for supporting the Institute and hosting the networking forum, and encouraged participants to enrol in the Institute's short professional courses and become members to access its range of professional development benefits.
Leadership beyond the office
DTB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Godfrey Sebaana, whose entity hosted the forum, challenged young professionals to embrace leadership by stepping outside their comfort zones and investing in meaningful relationships.
"Leadership is about getting out of your comfort zone. Do not be an introvert. Always make it a point to be in the lives of your people, your family and your parents. It is good for your well-being and theirs as well," Sebaana said.
He advised participants to adopt practical financial habits, avoid overstretching their finances and intentionally build social networks that create long-term value.
"Build very good social networks that are going to add value to you. Find networks that are going to add value to your life," he advised.
Sebaana also encouraged young professionals to explore opportunities while remaining disciplined.
"Live, go and explore, but it is important to always know when to quit," he said.
Drawing from his own career journey, Sebaana shared how he had experienced some of the lowest moments in his professional life before mentorship helped him rebuild his career and eventually become DTB's Chief Executive Officer.
He further reminded participants that humility remains essential for professional growth.
"Colleagues, it matters to discover yourself, but above all, be humble," he cautioned.
Participants described the networking forum as an important platform for professional growth and mentorship.
Benard Kimuli, a 25-year-old Business Analyst at Diamond Trust Bank, said the forum demonstrated the value of building professional relationships.
"Networking is a people-oriented and relationship-centric catalyst that unlocks value chain relationships between different people. I believe this can support people to enhance and develop their careers, and one can elevate from one level to another simply because of a colleague they met and interacted with during such gatherings," Kimuli said.
Claire Akankwasa, a 31-year-old Credit Officer at Deed Microfinance Limited, said the forum enabled her to connect with fellow bankers from larger financial institutions while also meeting her tutors from UIBFS in person.
"As a credit officer, it helps me connect with my fellow bankers, especially those in bigger institutions like DTB, and also meet my tutors at UIBFS since we mainly learn online," Akankwasa said.
She added that interacting with fellow professionals had reassured her that many bankers face similar workplace challenges.
"I have also learnt that my fellow officers go through the same challenges that I face, and I have learnt how to overcome them to boost my career," she said.
While 34-year-old Marion Harriet Katengwa, an entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Whirl Financial Services Ltd, said the forum had given her valuable networking opportunities while reinforcing the importance of financial inclusion.
"Today's experience has helped me connect with fellow members venturing in the same industry, and this has helped me reconnect with the major backbone of banking, which is financial inclusion," Katengwa said.
She added that seeing more women occupy top leadership positions in the financial sector had strengthened her confidence as a young entrepreneur.
"When I see a fellow woman as a CEO, it gives us courage as young women entrepreneurs to persist," she said.
Katengwa also credited Sebaana's mentorship session for encouraging participants to specialise and continuously add value to themselves professionally.