Female bankers launch SACCO, book club
“So, we have launched a book club. You know very well that leaders are readers. The moment you stop reading, you can't lead,” Masadde said.
UIBFS CEO Goretti Masadde appends her signature to the board during the launch. (Photos by Rhyman Agaba)
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Female bankers in Uganda have launched a Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCO) alongside a digital Bankers Book Club aimed at strengthening financial empowerment, leadership growth and professional networking within the banking sector.
The initiatives were unveiled on Thursday during the third annual Women in Banking and Finance conference held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. The event was organised by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) in partnership with the Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) and the Women Economic Empowerment Initiative.
More than 80 banking and finance professionals, both women and men, supported the event and sent representatives to attend the conference, which attracted sponsorship and participation from leading financial institutions including Stanbic Bank Uganda, aBi Finance, Cairo Bank Uganda, Equity Bank Uganda, Bank of Baroda Uganda, Centenary Bank, United Bank for Africa Uganda, I&M Bank Uganda, UGAFODE Microfinance, Bank of Uganda and MTN Mobile Money Uganda Limited.
The conference featured a lineup of prominent women leaders and banking executives who discussed gender equity, leadership, financial inclusion and boardroom representation in Uganda’s financial services sector.
Among the notable speakers was Goretti Masadde, the chief executive officer of UIBFS, who officially launched the Women in Banking and Finance Initiative together with the Bankers Book Club.
“So, we have launched a book club. You know very well that leaders are readers. The moment you stop reading, you can't lead,” Masadde said.
She explained that the digital club was created to encourage a stronger reading culture among professionals in the banking industry, especially women balancing demanding careers and family responsibilities.
“But we also appreciate that ladies are busy. At the same time, we know that we do not have a very good culture of reading. So it is for both men and women, but we've launched it here for bankers,” she added.
Masadde revealed that the club would operate on a subscription basis of sh100,000 annually and already has a club president to coordinate activities and book discussions.
The Guest of Honour, Serena Cavicchi, a senior social development specialist at the World Bank and Task Team Lead for the GROW Project in Uganda, applauded efforts aimed at empowering women financially and professionally.
Cavicchi emphasised the economic case for investing in women. Her remarks highlighted the importance of positioning women not as beneficiaries, but as key drivers of economic transformation.
"Women-led businesses are good business and not a risk. Women are good borrowers and good leaders,” said Cavicchi.
Keynote speaker Christine Kyeyune Kawooya, the Rotary District 9214 Governor overseeing Uganda and Tanzania, delivered a presentation focusing on professional growth, business success and community service leadership.
“We are not asking for charity or special favours. We are asking for intentionality. Success is not about titles — it is about the influence and impact you create,” Kawooya remarked.
Several panel discussions explored how investing in women contributes to stronger institutional growth, innovation and sustainability within financial institutions.
A session moderated by Saul Sseremba focused on “Give to Gain: Women on Boards,” featuring leading women executives and board members.
Annette Mbabazi Rumanyika Mulira, a member board of Trustees for MTN Mobile Money Limited, discussed the importance of sponsorship over mentorship and how senior leaders can intentionally champion younger women into leadership spaces.
Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe, the Centenary Bank executive director business, highlighted the return on investment in gender equity, arguing that institutions that invest in women often experience stronger business performance and workplace innovation.
Monica Sanyu, a boad member UGAFODE, emphasised how women on boards contribute to gender-responsive governance, while Catherine Poran spoke about overcoming boardroom barriers through expertise and institutional transformation.
Senior Presidential Advisor and Mawokota North MP Amelia Kyambadde also participated in the launch.