At the Makerere University Investor Roundtable Summit held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, a powerful message emerged: Uganda’s future prosperity hinges on its ability to invest in its youthful population strategically.
Stanbic Bank Uganda, represented by its Executive Director and Head of Personal and Private Banking, Samuel Mwogeza, positioned the bank not merely as a financial institution but as a key architect of this economic transformation, guided by its comprehensive Women, Youth and Farmers (WYF) agenda.
The summit was graced by, among others, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, the State Minister for Gender and Youth Affairs and several thought leaders.
Tackling Youth Unemployment
Mwogeza didn’t shy away from the stark reality of youth unemployment, labelling it a “ticking time bomb.”
He cited a compelling statistic, noting that over 77% of Uganda’s population is under 25, yet over 4 million young people are not in school, not working, or being trained for any skills.
According to Mwogeza, this demographic dividend, which should be the engine of growth, is at risk of being wasted.
The solution, he argued, lies in a fundamental shift in mindset; from job-seeking to job-creating, and intentional investment in entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive financing.
Stanbic’s WYF Agenda as a Strategic Blueprint for Growth
Stanbic Bank’s strategy is a direct response to this challenge. Its WYF agenda, which focuses on empowering Women, Youth and Farmers to start up small-scale enterprises, provides a clear framework for targeted interventions that empower these crucial segments of the economy. Key pillars of this agenda include:
Mindset Shift and Skills Development
The Stanbic National Schools’ Championship has become a flagship initiative, equipping thousands of high school students with the entrepreneurial skills needed to become job creators. This program fosters innovation and practical problem-solving from a young age. This year’s champion is Sumaya Girls’ School, which Stanbic Bank awarded Shs20M for their Uro-Care UTI Detector Strips Innovation.
Enterprise Development and Mentorship
The Stanbic Business Incubator offers hands-on support to small businesses led by women and youth. The incubator provides essential training in areas like financial management, business operations, and market access, enabling these enterprises to grow and become sustainable. Recent initiatives, such as the Albertine Agribusiness Development Programme, directly link farmers to the burgeoning oil and gas sector.
Stanbic Business Incubator recently graduated the first cohort at a grand ceremony that was officiated by Hon. Lillian Aber, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees.
Bridging the Financing Gap
Mwogeza revealed that, having recognised that access to capital is a primary barrier, Stanbic Bank launched specialised financial solutions.
One of them is Stanbic for Her, which has, over time, supported more than 30,000 women entrepreneurs with affordable credit.
Additionally, the Stanbic SACCO Programme provides low-interest financing to smallholder farmers, allowing them to scale up production and increase household incomes.
This focus on informal and underserved groups demonstrates the bank’s commitment to inclusive growth.
A Bold Investment in the Future
Mwogeza underscored the bank’s deep commitment with a powerful statement saying, “Our current investment in local enterprises stands at over Shs960 billion. But we are not stopping there. It’s not just a slogan. It’s our strategy.”
This highlights Stanbic’s role as a private sector partner actively working to drive the national economic agenda.
The bank’s initiatives, including a renewed push for an investment target of up to Shs1 trillion by 2028 under its new WYF strategy, are proving that intentional capital injection, coupled with skills development, can transform potential into tangible prosperity.
The Investor Roundtable Summit served as a potent reminder that economic transformation is not only possible but requires a concerted effort from both the public and private sectors. By focusing on the women, youth, and farmers who form the bedrock of Uganda’s economy, Stanbic Bank is helping to write the blueprint for a more resilient and inclusive future.