I&M Bank Uganda has strengthened its risk management capabilities, with the appointment of Rutabanzibwa Lwanga as Head of Risk.
Lwanga brings with him extensive experience in audit, assurance, and management.As Head of Risk, he is tasked with leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive risk management framework, to strengthen the bank’s oversight across credit, market, liquidity, and operational risks.With a career spanning over 24 years in Uganda’s banking sector, with 18 years of devoted to risk, audit, and assurance, Lwanga brings extensive expertise in internal controls, compliance, and organisational governance.
Lwanga began his banking career in 2001 as a teller and steadily rose through frontline and operations roles, including ATM Officer, Back Office Support Officer, Teller Services Manager, and Customer Service Manager by 2006.
In 2007, he joined Barclays Bank (now Absa), as Operational Rigour Coordinator in the Retail segment.
His strength in governance and controls led to successive promotions, first to Risk and Control Rigour Manager, and later to Head of Control Rigour (Management Assurance) in 2009.
By 2015, he had taken on broader responsibilities, serving as Interim Head of Operational Risk, before being appointed Head of Governance and Control later that year.
In November 2015, he was elevated to Acting Chief Risk Officer, a role he held until January 2017.
In 2017, Lwanga became Head of Retail Credit Risk at Barclays Bank, a position he held until 2018, when he moved to Stanbic Bank Uganda as Senior Manager in the Internal Audit function.
He was later appointed Country Head of Non-Financial Risk in August 2021, reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, a role he held until September 2025, before joining I&M Bank Uganda.In these roles, Lwanga led major risk management initiatives, strengthened internal controls, and provided strategic oversight for operational and ESG-related risks.
His work also involved regular engagement with Boards and Board Risk Committees, helping shape governance and influence risk culture at the highest levels.
With a solid foundation in Uganda’s banking industry, Lwanga’s time in risk and audit leadership has given him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that financial institutions face in today’s dynamic environment.
His experience across different facets of banking enables him to bring a balanced, practical perspective to strengthen I&M Bank’s risk management culture.
Lwanga holds a Master of Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Makerere University.
He is also a highly certified professional, with credentials such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA), and a Certification in Sustainability and Climate Risk from GARP.