Absa Bank Uganda has launched a new retail and business banking campaign anchored in financial literacy and aimed at empowering individuals and small businesses to make informed borrowing decisions and use credit as a tool for sustainable growth.
The campaign responds to a growing concern within Uganda’s lending landscape, where many borrowers access credit without a clear understanding of available financing options or how to structure borrowing to support long-term personal and business objectives.
Speaking at the launch, Moses Rutahigwa, Director for Retail and Business Banking at Absa Bank Uganda, said the initiative goes beyond offering financial products to fostering meaningful conversations around responsible borrowing.
“We believe deeply in the potential of every individual and business,” Rutahigwa said.
“While we continue to provide innovative and accessible financial solutions, this campaign commits us to deliberate, practical engagement throughout the year. Our aim is to help customers understand credit, select the right solutions, and use borrowing as a catalyst for growth rather than stress.”
Under the campaign, Absa will engage customers through its branch network, digital platforms and media channels, providing practical guidance on financial discipline, loan structuring, business planning and personal money management.
The programme will feature real customer success stories, expert insights and everyday financial tips designed to demystify borrowing and encourage responsible financial behaviour.
The campaign was officially launched during an interactive customer session that featured personal finance coach Newton Buteraba and business leader Robert Kabushenga. The two speakers shared candid lessons from their own financial journeys, highlighting early missteps, the importance of discipline and the long-term approach required to build sustainable success.
The session generated lively engagement, with participants posing practical questions on managing debt, planning for school fees, structuring business loans and balancing ambition with financial realities.
The exchanges highlighted the very gap the campaign seeks to address—limited access to relatable, practical financial guidance that builds confidence in everyday financial decision-making.
According to the Bank of Uganda, the banking industry’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3.66 percent by September 2025, down from 3.74 percent in the previous quarter. While the trend signals a recovering economy and improved credit risk management, NPLs remain a concern for the sector.
“Even with the positive trend, non-performing loans continue to impact the financial system,” Rutahigwa noted. “They are often driven by poor financial decisions, weak planning or diversion of funds to unproductive uses. This is where financial literacy and discipline become critical. Our goal is to ensure customers borrow with clarity, purpose and confidence.”
He added that the campaign aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen financial capability across Uganda.
The Bank of Uganda has championed a long-term financial literacy strategy aimed at improving consumer understanding of financial products and promoting informed decision-making as part of its mandate to enhance financial inclusion and consumer protection.
In parallel, the Uganda Bankers Association continues to drive industry-wide consumer education and financial literacy initiatives that support responsible banking practices and improved public awareness around effective money management. These collective efforts provide a strategic backdrop for Absa’s campaign.
According to officials, the financial literacy drive is supported by a range of accessible financing solutions offered by the bank. These include personal loans of up to Shs400 million with repayment periods of up to 96 months and guaranteed feedback within six hours; home loans of up to Shs2 billion at competitive rates to finance property purchases, construction or equity release; and digital loans of up to Shs5 million available instantly through Absa’s paperless mobile banking application.
Small and medium-sized enterprises can access unsecured business loans of up to Shs200 million with tenures of up to three years, as well as secured facilities of up to Shs600 million.
"The bank also offers school fees bridge financing with unsecured loans of up to Shs500 million and zero arrangement fees, alongside vehicle asset financing solutions of up to Shs600 million. Competitive interest rates are available across products, tailored to individuals, entrepreneurs and SMEs," Absa officials said.
