Officials from UN Women and Equity Bank Uganda in a photo after the launch of the partnership this morning at the bank’s head office, Church House kampala

Equity Bank Uganda Limited has partnered with the UN Women in a new agreement aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment and expanding access to inclusive financial services across Uganda.

The collaboration, signed on Tuesday at the bank’s boardroom at Church House along Kampala Road, sets out a two-year strategic framework running from April 2026 to March 2028. It will focus on equipping women, particularly those in underserved and refugee-hosting communities, with financial tools, business skills and access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Under the partnership, the two institutions will jointly roll out programmes designed to improve financial literacy, entrepreneurship and digital inclusion while widening access to affordable financial products and services.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, UN Women Deputy Country Representative Adekemi Ndieli underscored the importance of private sector partnerships in advancing gender equality.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that women especially those in underserved and vulnerable communities have the tools, resources and opportunities to thrive economically. By working together, we can accelerate progress toward inclusive growth and sustainable development,” Ndieli said.

On behalf of the bank, Managing Director Gift Shoko said the initiative aligns with Equity’s broader mission of promoting inclusive finance.

“Equity Bank Uganda is proud to partner with UN Women to dismantle barriers that prevent women from achieving economic autonomy. Our commitment goes beyond financial products. We are offering training, digital literacy and clean energy solutions to ensure women can compete and succeed in today’s economy,” Shoko said.

He added, “We believe inclusive finance is the foundation of inclusive growth. Together, we will empower women to transform their enterprises and their communities.”

The partnership will focus on expanding access to savings, credit and digital banking solutions for women and underserved populations, alongside delivering financial literacy and entrepreneurship training. It will also support women-led agribusinesses and cooperatives, promote clean energy financing for low-income and rural households, and strengthen social protection and resilience in refugee-hosting areas.

As part of the arrangement, UN Women will provide technical expertise, policy guidance and community mobilization support, while Equity Bank Uganda will deliver tailored financial products, training and advisory services. The implementation will be guided by a joint work plan with clear targets and measurable outcomes.

The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of women across Uganda by improving access to finance, expanding business opportunities and strengthening their participation in economic development.

It will also support women entrepreneurs to tap into opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, enabling them to access wider regional markets, scale their enterprises and play a greater role in driving economic growth.

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As a new school term begins, classrooms fill with eager learners, but behind the scenes many schools face a familiar financial storm. Salaries must be paid, utilities cleared, supplies purchased and facilities maintained, all before most parents complete paying school fees. This timing gap can strain budgets, disrupt operations and in extreme cases affect the quality of learning.

Education and finance experts say the solution lies in one often overlooked tool-early financial planning. In Uganda’s private education sector, where fees are commonly paid in installments, the start of term represents the period of highest expenditure and lowest cash inflow. Without careful budgeting and access to flexible financing, schools risk delays in staff payments, stalled projects and reduced service delivery.

Equity Bank Uganda is positioning itself as a key partner in helping schools navigate this pressure through structured financial solutions tailored to the academic calendar.

According to Equity, institutions that forecast income and expenses term by term are far more resilient to seasonal cash shortages. By separating day-to-day operational costs from long-term development projects, schools can maintain stability while still pursuing expansion.

“When schools plan early, they understand how much money will come in and how much will go out. This helps them avoid pressure at the beginning of the term,” said Olivia Mugaba, Head of SMEs at Equity Bank Uganda. 

The bank works with school administrators to map projected fee collections against anticipated expenses, ensuring that loan repayments fall during periods when revenue is strongest.

Across the country, many private schools are investing heavily in infrastructure to meet growing demand. New classroom blocks, dormitories, school buses, ICT laboratories and improved water and energy systems are becoming standard expectations.

Ms Mugaba explained that through tailored asset financing, schools can acquire these investments without making large upfront payments. Funds are often paid directly to approved suppliers, accelerating delivery while ensuring transparency. In some cases, the asset itself serves as collateral, reducing the need for additional security.

“Repayment schedules are designed around school fee cycles, with options for termly or seasonal payments and, in some cases, short repayment breaks during holidays when income drops,” said Ms Mugaba.

Financial institutions now offer multiple credit products designed specifically for educational institutions. These include long-term loans for construction projects, working capital facilities for operational expenses, overdrafts for short-term liquidity, and bridging loans to cover temporary cash flow gaps.

Such flexibility is intended to ensure that learning continues uninterrupted, even when finances fluctuate. Schools investing in renewable energy or water systems may also qualify for special financing arrangements, reflecting the growing importance of sustainable infrastructure in education.

Beyond loans, digital banking platforms are transforming how schools manage finances. Systems such as School Pay, Peg Pay, and Sure Pay enable parents to pay fees electronically, reducing long queues and improving accountability.

Online banking services also allow institutions to pay staff and suppliers efficiently while maintaining real-time financial records, an important factor for transparency and planning.

Banking support increasingly extends beyond financing to include advisory services. Schools can receive guidance on budgeting, project planning, risk management, and digital financial management, helping administrators make informed decisions as they grow.

To access financing, institutions typically need to provide registration documents, financial statements, enrollment trends, and detailed project plans. Smaller facilities can sometimes be approved quickly, while larger developments undergo more extensive assessment.

As Uganda’s education sector expands, financial sustainability is becoming as critical as academic performance. Experts warn that without careful planning; even well-intentioned investments can strain institutions.

By combining early budgeting, flexible financing, digital tools, and advisory services, banks and schools are working to ensure that financial challenges do not derail learning.

For thousands of students returning to school each term, the goal is simple: classrooms that function smoothly from day one. Behind that stability, however, lies a carefully managed balance sheet.

In the modern education landscape, keeping schools running may depend as much on financial discipline as on dedicated teachers and eager learners.

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The Uganda Development Bank has officially opened its Eastern Regional Office in Mbale City, as the institution reports a growth with total assets rising to Shs2.28 trillion in 2025.

The new office, located on Masaba Road will serve the sub regions of Elgon, Teso, Bukedi, Busoga and Karamoja in a bid to bring development financing and advisory services closer to businesses and communities in Eastern Uganda.

The expansion comes amid improved financial performance by the bank, with total assets growing by 24% supported by Shs438 billion in new funding from government capital contributions and external lines of credit.

“Our gross loan portfolio also expanded to Shs1.77 trillion, with 60% of this invested in primary agriculture, agro industry and manufacturing, demonstrating our continued focus on driving real sector growth,” said Joshua Allan Mwesiga, Director Strategy and Corporate Affairs at UDB.

He added that the bank approved Shs518.4 billion for 120 projects across the country in 2025, with 50% directed towards agriculture, agro industrialisation and manufacturing, while key service sectors such as tourism, education and health accounted for 12%.

“These investments underscore UDB’s role as a catalyst for private sector led growth and national development,” Mwesiga said.

The bank projects that the 120 financed projects will create more than 33,600 jobs, mainly for the youth, while generating output worth Shs5.2 trillion and profits of Shs2.76 trillion.

“They are also expected to contribute about Shs918.7 billion in corporation tax and generate Shs2.79 trillion in foreign exchange earnings, strengthening the country’s balance of payments,” Mwesiga noted.

The Mbale regional office will offer long term financing of up to 15 years, alongside business advisory, project preparation and investment support across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, education, health and construction.

Steven Kakonge, Senior Investment Manager for Agriculture at UDB said the office will act as a strategic hub for unlocking the region’s economic potential.

“With opportunities such as tourism offering significant potential, where increased visitor numbers could greatly boost local economies, UDB is proud to be part of transforming the region and improving the lives of Ugandans,” Kakonge said.

Managing Director Dr Patricia Ojangole said the expansion is part of a broader plan to strengthen the bank’s national presence.

“Today represents a significant step forward as we broaden our reach and expand the Bank’s capacity to deliver on our mandate. Until now, we have operated from Kampala, Gulu and Hoima, supported by mobile teams across more than 105 districts,” Ojangole said.

She added that the bank plans to establish additional regional offices in Mbarara and Arua.

“With the launch of the Mbale Regional Office, we are deepening our presence in Eastern Uganda and strengthening our ability to serve clients closer to where they live and do business,” she said.

Ojangole noted that over the past five years, the bank has disbursed more than Shs200 billion into nearly 100 projects across Eastern Uganda.

“Between 2021 and 2024, projects financed by UDB in Eastern Uganda created and maintained over 7,000 jobs, generated output of Shs1.3 trillion and contributed Shs67 billion in corporation tax,” she said.

Local leaders welcomed the move, describing it as timely in addressing the financing gap in the region.

Mbale District Chairperson Muhammad Mafabi said the presence of the bank will unlock investment opportunities.

“The establishment of Uganda Development Bank’s Eastern Regional Office presents a timely solution to the financing gap faced by businesses in the region. With access to long term affordable financing, businesses can now invest in expansion, machinery and value addition,” Mafabi said.

Mbale Mayor Elect Joyce Matuka Kidulu said the city is ready to support initiatives that drive inclusive growth.

“Today, we see the positive changes taking shape, from new buildings to improving infrastructure, which signal a brighter future for our people. We are committed to working together and supporting initiatives that uplift our community,” she said.

UDB aims to continue with its efforts in sustainable financing solutions that drive job creation, boost productivity and strengthen exports.

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Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited has registered a strong operational and financial rebound in its first year of managing the country’s electricity distribution network, posting Shs1.71 trillion in revenue as it stabilised a system inherited from private operators.

The performance comes a year after the government repossessed the distribution mandate from Umeme Limited on April 1, 2025, in a transition referred to as the “Big Switch,” returning the function to state control after two decades.

In its one-year report, UEDCL said the takeover marked an improvement for the electricity sub-sector, which was unbundled 25 years ago into three entities, including Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, and UEDCL.

Despite early turbulence characterised by widespread outages and aging infrastructure, the company says it has since stabilised the national grid while expanding access and improving operational efficiency.

“The past year demanded strong leadership, focus and resilience,” said Managing Director Paul Mwesigwa.

“The Big Switch has impacted the nation’s industrial capacity, Gross Domestic Product, social and economic transformation, and created job opportunities for Ugandans,” he said.

He added that the grid has relatively stabilised and investments are now flowing into the asset.

According to the report, UEDCL currently serves about 2.7 million customers across the country, having added 236,326 new electricity connections within the first year. The company operates the largest distribution network in Uganda, with a nationwide footprint spanning Central, Western and North Eastern regions.

The utility also emerged as a major contributor to government revenue, remitting Shs132.5 billion in taxes while maintaining near full staffing levels at 99.5 percent of its approved workforce structure.

Financial indicators show a stable start, with revenue standing at Shs1.71 trillion by February 2026, supported by a gross margin of 22 percent and an EBITDA margin of 9 percent. The company projects revenue to rise to Shs2.62 trillion by the end of the financial year, with improved profitability driven by efficiency gains and increased electricity sales.

UEDCL attributed this performance to rising demand for electricity, with domestic peak demand increasing from 986 megawatts in April 2025 to 1,188 megawatts in February 2026, representing a 20.4 percent growth.

The company also recorded a 12 percent increase in average daily electricity purchases from UETCL, reflecting expanded distribution capacity and a growing customer base.

To sustain this growth, UEDCL has unveiled an ambitious five year investment plan worth over 994 million dollars aimed at rehabilitating and modernising the country’s aging electricity infrastructure.

“This programme is not only a capital plan but a systematic recovery and growth strategy to transform an outdated distribution network into a modern, dependable and scalable power system,” the report stated.

The investment will target three key areas including expansion of electricity access through last mile connections, improvement of network reliability and quality of supply, and replacement of obsolete equipment using modern technology.

The company plans to connect at least 300,000 new customers annually over the next five years, translating into an additional 1.5 million connections, as Uganda pushes toward universal electrification and industrial growth.

In the first year alone, UEDCL committed significant resources toward stabilising the grid, including transformer relocations, substation upgrades, and installation of protection systems across key areas such as Kasese, Bombo, Mbale Industrial, Mukono, Jinja Industrial and Hoima.

“These interventions have improved fault detection, reduced outages and strengthened supply reliability, benefiting tens of thousands of customers across the country,” the report noted.

At the same time, the company undertook major procurements worth over Shs412 billion for critical materials, including transformers, cables, meters, and network equipment, alongside an additional Shs20 billion committed to labour and logistics support.

UEDCL also demonstrated strong financial discipline by paying Shs1.71 trillion to UETCL for bulk electricity purchases within its first ten months of operation, ensuring stability in the national power supply chain.

In a landmark move, the company secured a $50 million financing facility from Absa Bank Uganda, becoming the first government agency to directly borrow for infrastructure investment at relatively low interest rates.

However, the transition was not without challenges. UEDCL revealed that much of the infrastructure inherited at takeover was aging and, in some cases, operating beyond its recommended lifespan.

“The condition of the distribution network rather than the company’s ability to run the grid is the primary cause of outages,” the report explained, citing old transformers, weak protection systems and worn out equipment as key constraints.

Additionally, persistent vandalism of electricity infrastructure continues to disrupt operations and divert resources from planned investments.

“What emerges is a recurring pattern of deliberate damage to critical infrastructure, often in areas where restoration works have just been completed,” the company said.

Despite these challenges, UEDCL reported strong operational performance, including a cash collection rate averaging 101 percent, indicating improved revenue efficiency and financial sustainability.

The company successfully transitioned its ICT systems after Umeme’s exit, ensuring seamless billing, vending, and customer service from day one.

Looking ahead, UEDCL’s focus remains on strengthening the grid, reducing energy losses to 13.7 percent in line with targets set by the Electricity Regulatory Authority, and supporting Uganda’s growing industrial base.

“The plan provides a transformative roadmap aimed at delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity services,” the report stated.

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