The Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), in partnership with the Uganda Bankers Association, has hosted the inaugural Talent Convention 2026, bringing together key stakeholders to address talent development in Uganda’s banking and financial services sector.
Held at Mestil Hotel, the high-level convention convened industry leaders, regulators, human resource professionals, and emerging talent to explore strategies for building a resilient, future-ready workforce capable of supporting Uganda’s long-term economic transformation agenda.
In her opening remarks, UIBFS Chief Executive Officer Goretti Masadde underscored the central role of human capital in driving industry growth.
“As the sector evolves—shaped by digital transformation, changing customer expectations, and global shifts—we are reminded that our greatest asset is not technology or capital, but people,” she said.
Masadde emphasised the urgency of aligning talent development with Uganda’s 15-year strategy to grow the economy tenfold—from approximately $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040—adding that human capital will be critical to achieving this target.
Delivering a keynote on behalf of Michael Atingi-Ego, the Executive Director for Banking Supervision at the Bank of Uganda, David Kalyango, highlighted the importance of deliberate investment in skills development.
“Every economy that has achieved sustained transformation has done so through systematic cultivation of human capability,” Kalyango said, noting that Uganda’s growth ambitions will require deeper, sector-specific expertise to manage increasing complexity in financial intermediation.
The convention featured panel discussions on key industry challenges and opportunities. One session focused on future-proofing talent amid digital transformation and generational shifts, with contributions from Rachael Dumba and Ruth Senyonyi, who emphasised the need to balance productivity with employee well-being.
Another panel examined succession planning as a governance priority, with Zedi Muyingo stressing that succession planning should be driven at board level rather than treated as a routine operational function.
Participants also highlighted the need for institutions to invest more intentionally in talent development, particularly in response to shifting workforce dynamics.
Fatuma Namatovu, Head of Culture Transformation at dfcu Bank, pointed to the risks associated with rapid career progression without adequate preparation, warning that it could undermine leadership depth and institutional stability.
Speaking on behalf of the Uganda Bankers Association, Patricia Amitto emphasised the link between talent and national development.
“Strategic plans alone do not create growth—people do. The success of our industry’s ambitions depends on the talent we develop and manage,” she said.
The convention concluded with a strong call for coordinated efforts across the sector to prioritise talent development as a key driver of sustainable growth and competitiveness in Uganda’s financial services industry.