The Financial Literacy Association of Uganda (FLAU) convened its inaugural annual general meeting at Hotel Africana, Kampala on May 25, 2023 to elect a leadership committee, having been in existence for a year.

FLAU is an umbrella body that unites stakeholders in the financial literacy field and is aimed at disseminating vital information, education, and training to enable Uganda to achieve its 2040 financial literacy goal.

Members had the opportunity to nominate themselves or others whom they deemed suitable for positions. The nominated candidates then stood up to confirm their acceptance and proceeded to present their curriculum vitae to substantiate their qualifications.

The room filled with laughter as some nominees unleashed vast vocabulary, leaving the members mesmerised.

Moreover, the recitation of academic achievements by certain individuals, including holders of doctorates and leaders of prominent international organisations, left many in awe, as they meticulously enumerated their significant contributions.

The association members cast their ballots online after numerous contestants eloquently expounded on financial concepts to demonstrate their eligibility.

Members of the Financial Literacy Association of Uganda voting for the leadership committee using their phones at Hotel Africana, Kampala on May 25, 2023

Following the completion of the voting process, the committee was formed, comprising individuals with diverse responsibilities. The committee members were as follows: Daniel Ayebare (chairman), Apollo Mbowa Kibirango (deputy chairperson), Myria Lugwire Mutesi (general secretary), Flavia Nakamatte (secretary treasury and finance), Andrew Eboku Eyeru (secretary strategy), Jacinta Anyinge (secretary legal and compliance), Clarke Henry Kisembo (secretary publicity, mobilisation & membership), Jackline Nagasha (secretary monitoring and evaluation), and Aisha Nakanwagi (secretary research and development).

Daniel Ayebare, the elected chairman of the association, officially announced the formation of the committee and revealed their primary task, which involved formulating strategies to advance the national financial literacy agenda.

The chairperson of the leadership committee of the Financial Literacy Association of Uganda, Daniel Ayebare, talks to the members after the election

"In this Annual General Meeting (AGM), we have been confirmed and have a fully-fledged committee now and the first task is to enter a strategy session to see how we actually incorporate all that in alignment to the national strategy," he told New Vision.

Ayebare expressed his commitment to establishing sustainable infrastructure that would support the association for the long term.

"I envision the development of a fully sustainable infrastructure, encompassing both an online presence and a physical headquarters, as we are currently utilising borrowed space. We require a dedicated home that can serve as a hub for disseminating financial literacy information," he asserted.

Furthermore, Ayebare aims to establish a network of financial literacy trainers nationwide, fostering coordination among them to ensure a unified dissemination of information to the most underserved segments of the population.

Cake cutting after the installation of the committee

Despite operating as an autonomous entity sustained by membership fees, Ayebare expressed optimism in securing support from potential partners such as the Bank of Uganda, the Ministry of Finance, Non-Governmental Organisations, and other stakeholders in the financial literacy realm.

He encouraged Ugandans to become members of the association, emphasising the importance of gaining financial knowledge and imparting that knowledge to others.