Stanbic, Centenary, UGAFODE excel at inaugural bankers' awards

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Stanbic has been crowned Bank of the Year in Uganda. The November 19, 2025, event saw industry leaders, executives, innovators and rising banking professionals converge at Mestil Hotel in Kampala city's suburb of Nsambya for the inaugural Annual Bankers’ Awards.

The awards organised by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), in partnership with the Bank of Uganda and the Uganda Bankers’ Association, marked the first time Uganda’s financial sector came together under a unified platform to celebrate excellence, innovation, and transformative leadership.

Stanbic dominated key categories, including its recognition for exceptional environmental sustainability under the ESG–Environment Focus Award and its win in the first tier of the Customer Experience Award. These combined achievements solidified the bank’s position at the pinnacle of Uganda’s banking industry.

The idea for the awards was conceived in late 2024 during consultations following the Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala. What began as a simple proposal to recognise sports achievements quickly grew into a visionary effort to honour exceptional performance across all banking disciplines, filling a long-standing void in sector-wide professional recognition.

The maiden edition, themed: Beyond the Finish Line, symbolised the resilience, service excellence, and ongoing transformation shaping Uganda’s modern banking ecosystem.

14 categories for the take

There were 57 submissions competing across 14 categories. The night delivered outstanding moments, including the Customer Excellence Award going to UGAFODE, which claimed the second tier of the Customer Experience Award.

Centenary Bank earned the Outstanding Digital Innovation Award for its groundbreaking digital solutions, while Tropical Bank was celebrated for advancing integrity and trust through its strengthened Financial Crime Prevention initiatives.

Pearl Bank

Agricultural financing, one of Uganda’s economic lifelines, saw Pearl Bank recognised as the Best Bank in Agricultural Financing. The bank further cemented its footprint by winning the FinTech Partnership of the Year Award. Leadership at branch level was equally honoured, with Absa Bank’s Jessica Mangheni named Best Branch Manager for her exemplary frontline management and transformational leadership.

NCBA Bank

NCBA Bank received applause for its excellence in Asset Financing, while DFCU Bank stood out as the top institution in Mortgage Financing, reinforcing its role in expanding home ownership and real estate growth. Bank of Baroda secured the SME Banking Award for its unwavering support to small and medium enterprises, alongside notable performances in trade finance by leading institutions.

Individual milestones

On the individual front, one of the evening’s most prestigious honours, Banker of the Year, went to Eva Nassaazi of I&M Bank, celebrated for her leadership, innovation, and impact across the year. Rising talent was also recognised, with Douglas Mwambu receiving the Outstanding Young Banker Award.

Beyond the competitive awards, the ceremony also celebrated winners from the 2025 Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala, honoured institutions that have heavily invested in professional capacity building with UIBFS, and elevated distinguished members to the prominent Fellow and Honorary Fellow categories.

The transparency of the evaluation process was safeguarded by PwC, while a panel of nine respected judges with more than a century of combined industry experience ensured fairness, credibility, and integrity throughout the process.

UIBFS chief executive officer Goretti Masadde emphasised the importance of the Awards in a rapidly evolving financial sector driven by technology, shifting customer needs, and expanding economic opportunities. She noted that excellence is catalytic, strengthening institutions and elevating commitment to service.

Board chairperson Michael K. Mugabi reaffirmed UIBFS’s dedication to institutionalising the Awards as the sector’s premier benchmark of excellence. Representing the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Michael Atingi-Ego, praised the event for spotlighting leadership, innovation, customer protection, and risk management pillars essential for a strong and progressive financial system.

With its successful debut, the Annual Bankers’ Awards have set the foundation for a new tradition, one poised to inspire performance, nurture talent, and elevate Uganda’s banking sector to greater heights in the years ahead.