Newly appointed Centenary Bank Managing Director Godfrey Byekwaso has pledged to preserve the institution's legacy of trust while accelerating digital transformation, financial inclusion and customer-focused innovation.
Byekwaso earlier this month replaced long-serving Fabian Kasi as the Managing Director of Uganda's largest indigenous commercial bank.
He told journalists on Thursday that he is taking over a bank that is performing well, describing the leadership transition as an opportunity to build on an already strong foundation rather than fixing a struggling institution.
"What excites me is that we are having this transition when everything is going well. Normally, change happens when something has broken, but in our case, nothing has broken. I must thank Fabian(Kasi) for being a good captain and handing over a ship that is not docking but continuing to sail,” Byekwaso said.
Byekwaso said preserving the trust that customers have placed in Centenary Bank would remain his foremost priority.
"The bank was built on trust, and today that trust is not just in the name but has become part of the institution's culture. One thing that has made the bank successful is the trust customers have in it, and I will endeavour to preserve that trust."
He said the bank would remain guided by its purpose of transforming lives through inclusive and innovative financial solutions, while maintaining the values of integrity, professionalism and teamwork that have shaped its growth.
According to Byekwaso, customer centricity will continue to define the bank's operations, with greater emphasis on understanding customer needs, improving products and accelerating service delivery through technology.
"We must listen to customers, understand their needs, develop products and improve services that are tailored to them. Above all, we must embrace technology and digital innovation to enhance our services. Technology must not only provide convenience but must also be simple and secure."
The new managing director also stressed that investment in employees would be critical to sustaining customer confidence and delivering quality services.
He reaffirmed Centenary Bank's long-standing commitment to serving financially excluded communities, saying the institution would continue focusing on farmers, youth, women entrepreneurs and rural populations.
For farmers, he said, the bank would continue providing timely financing aligned to agricultural seasons, while young entrepreneurs would receive support to transform business ideas into successful enterprises.
Women-owned businesses, he added, would benefit from both financial products and business development support to strengthen their enterprises.
Byekwaso also highlighted the bank's extensive branch network, agency banking, mobile banking platforms and digital solutions such as Gonza Pay as key tools for expanding financial inclusion.
"Centenary Bank is a bank for those who were previously considered unbankable. The people we serve remain at the heart of our work."
He assured customers of improved services, pledged continued compliance with regulatory requirements and promised shareholders sustainable value creation.
Beyond retail banking, Byekwaso said the bank would continue financing agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), microfinance institutions and environmental sustainability initiatives while supporting Uganda's broader economic development agenda.
Reflecting on his leadership philosophy, Byekwaso said effective leadership is anchored on influencing people, asking the right questions, making informed decisions and fostering collaboration.
He cited his previous assignment in Malawi, where he led institutional transformation despite inheriting an organisation facing financial losses and integrity challenges.
"You cannot simply wake up and tell everyone to leave. You need people. Building a shared mission, vision and purpose with people is critical."
Looking ahead, Byekwaso said the Centenary Group's immediate priority would be safeguarding the gains already achieved while expanding financial access to Uganda's large unbanked population.
He said innovation would play a central role in designing products that respond to the needs of underserved communities and bring more Ugandans into the formal financial system.
Byekwaso also identified cybersecurity and fraud prevention as strategic priorities, warning that increasing digital adoption requires stronger customer awareness alongside continued investment in secure banking systems.
"We have invested in technology to manage cybersecurity risks, but customers must also be educated because fraudsters often target them through calls and other methods. Integrity and professionalism must remain core values because some fraud cases happen due to failures by insiders."
Byekwaso further said Centenary Bank intends to support opportunities emerging from Uganda's oil and gas industry by financing businesses across the sector's value chain, including SMEs, transporters, employees and service providers.
"As a bank committed to Uganda's economic growth, we will participate in supporting businesses across the oil and gas value chain."
