Centenary Bank boosts Kampala Festival, waste management with sh86m donation

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Centenary Bank has injected sh86 million into Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to support the long-awaited return of the Kampala City Festival and strengthen the city’s waste management initiatives.

The contribution, unveiled recently, allocates sh50 million to the upcoming festival scheduled for October 12 and sh36 million to the Weyonje Campaign, KCCA’s flagship programme to improve waste collection and disposal.

Announcing the donation, Centenary Bank Executive Director, Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe, said the partnership underlines the bank’s dual focus on promoting cultural heritage while addressing urgent urban challenges.

“Kampala is a vibrant city, full of innovation and creativity. Through this support, we celebrate its people, culture, and resilience while also helping to address critical issues like waste management,” he said.

Centenary Bank Executive Director, Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe. (File)

Balikuddembe emphasised that for the city to thrive, its residents must enjoy not only opportunities for celebration but also a clean and sustainable environment.

Festival returns after eight years

The Kampala City Festival is one of Uganda’s most popular cultural gatherings, attracting thousands of visitors from across the country and beyond. This year’s edition is particularly significant as it marks the festival’s return after an eight-year break.

The one-day street event promises a colourful blend of music, dance, food stalls, and art exhibitions, transforming the city centre into a hub of activity. Organisers say the festival is a showcase of Kampala’s diversity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.

For small businesses and informal traders, the event represents a golden opportunity. Street vendors, food sellers, artisans, and performers are expected to earn substantial income, further embedding the festival’s role in stimulating the local economy.

Balikuddembe noted that Centenary Bank is proud to be part of this revival.

“The Kampala City Festival is not just about fun. It creates livelihoods, builds community pride, and projects the capital as a destination for cultural tourism,” he added.

Waste management challenge

On the other hand, the bank’s investment in waste management comes at a critical time for Kampala. Uganda generates nearly four million tonnes of solid waste annually, yet a 2023/24 Auditor General’s report revealed that only 37 percent of this waste was properly collected and disposed of between 2021 and 2024.

Uncollected waste continues to clog drainage channels, pollute water sources, and create health hazards in crowded urban settlements. For KCCA, tackling this challenge remains a priority, and private sector support is vital.

Balikuddembe said the sh36 million earmarked for the Weyonje Campaign will help raise public awareness on proper waste disposal while strengthening systems for collection and recycling.

“A clean city is central to business growth and people’s well-being. Our support for KCCA aligns with Centenary Bank’s wider environmental, social, and governance agenda,” he explained.

Centenary Bank’s broader ESG drive

The bank’s contribution fits into its broader environmental and social responsibility efforts. In recent years, Centenary has converted 10 of its branches to solar energy, planted more than 100,000 trees nationwide, distributed over 80 waste bins in communities, and introduced waste separation systems in its offices.

These initiatives, Balikuddembe said, demonstrate the bank’s resolve to drive sustainability alongside financial growth.

Centenary Bank also has an annual policy of channelling at least two percent of its profits into community investment projects, spanning health, education, and environmental conservation.

KCCA welcomes partnership

KCCA Executive Director, Sharifah Buzeki. (File/New Vision)

KCCA Executive Director, Sharifah Buzeki, welcomed the bank’s gesture, saying the contribution underscores the importance of collaboration in building a modern capital city.

“Keeping the city clean and vibrant is a collective responsibility. We are grateful to Centenary Bank for demonstrating leadership through this contribution,” she said.

Buzeki added that while the October festival will celebrate Kampala’s cultural richness, the waste management drive will serve as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with growth.

Looking to the Future

Centenary Bank has been part of Kampala’s growth story for over 40 years, evolving into one of the country’s largest financial institutions with millions of customers. Its latest partnership with KCCA highlights not only its role as a financial services provider but also as a development partner committed to improving the quality of life in the city.

As the countdown to October 5 begins, Kampala is preparing for both celebration and transformation. The sh86 million contribution will echo in the rhythms of the festival, the livelihoods of traders, and the cleaner streets envisioned under the Weyonje Campaign.

Balikuddembe said, “When Kampala thrives, Uganda thrives. That is why we are proud to stand with the city today and into the future.”