By Bernard Bakalu
The poor saving culture due to the lack of reliable financial institutions such as banks, has promoted the investment of Shs 800m into the establishment of a bank in Kapeeka, Nakaseke District.
The investment has been made by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luwero.
Last year, Matilda Namuwonge, a resident of Kapeeka Town Council and a teacher at St. Jerome Cove Day and Boarding Primary School still in Kapeeka town said that; "the long distances we have to travel, have failed me and many of my colleagues from embracing the saving culture by opening up accounts in banks."
For instance, in Nakaseke’s neighbouring district of Luwero, is where banks such as Centenary, Stanbic, Equity and DFCU, have established branches, which are considered nearest to the populace in Nakaseke.
For a prospective bank customer in Nakaseke, like in Kapeeka Town Council, to access any bank, they have to cover a distance of about 37 kilometres.
This challenge, saw Christians of St. Consolanta Kapeeka Catholic Parish petition the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luwero for intervention.
https://nilepost.co.ug/2023/01/12/dtb-targets-industrial-park-with-first-bank-in-kapeeka/
In response, the Diocesan administration partnered with Centenary Bank to construct a building to house the branch in Kapeeka town.
Late October 2022, Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, the then Bishop of Kasana-Luwero diocese and the Apostolic Administrator of Kampala Archdiocese officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony.
The Prelate said that he hoped the branch would be commissioned a year later.
Now, presiding over the commissioning ceremony, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luwero Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa has urged locals in Kapeeka, Nakaseke District to embrace modern banking services.
Rev. Fr. Deo Kibirango, the coordinator on behalf of Centenary Bank for the project says the poor road network and costs of accessing banks have been serious hindrances to enjoying banking services.
