KAMPALA, Uganda— The Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), in partnership with the Uganda Bankers Association, successfully hosted the inaugural Talent Convention 2026—an influential industry forum positioning talent as the cornerstone of Uganda’s financial sector growth and transformation.
Held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, the high-level convention convened industry leaders, regulators, HR professionals, and emerging talent to examine strategies for building a resilient, future-ready workforce. The engagement comes at a critical time as Uganda advances its ambitious agenda to expand its economy tenfold—from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040.
The convention provided a dynamic platform for dialogue on the evolving role of human capital in an industry increasingly shaped by digital transformation, shifting workforce expectations, and global competitiveness.
In her opening remarks, UIBFS CEO Goretti Masadde underscored the central role of talent in driving sustainable growth:
“As the sector continues to evolve—driven by digital transformation, changing customer expectations, and global shifts—we are reminded that our greatest asset is not technology, nor capital, but people—that is talent.”
She emphasized the urgency of aligning talent strategies with Uganda’s long-term development goals, noting that human capital will be the defining factor in achieving the country’s 15-year, tenfold growth strategy.
Delivering keynote remarks on behalf of the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, David Kalyango, Executive Director of Banking Supervision, highlighted the pivotal role of human capability in economic transformation:
“Every economy that has achieved a decisive and durable transformation has done so through the deliberate, systematic cultivation of human capability.”
He noted that Uganda’s growth ambitions will significantly increase the scale and complexity of financial intermediation—making the development of deep, sector-specific expertise a critical priority.
The convention featured thought-provoking panel discussions tackling some of the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
The first panel explored future-proofing talent in the face of digital disruption and generational change. Rachael Dumba addressed the readiness for Gen Z and tech-driven talent, while Dr. Canon Ruth Senyonyi highlighted the importance of balancing performance with employee wellness. The session was moderated by Daphne Ntegyereize Oboth.
The second panel examined succession planning as a governance imperative, with Zedi Muyingo emphasizing that succession planning must begin at the Board level and be treated as a strategic governance priority rather than a routine operational function. This session was moderated by Mary Lillian Manyonga.
A recurring theme throughout the convention was the urgent need for organizations to make deliberate, sustained investments in talent development. Fatuma Namatovu, Head of Culture Transformation at dfcu Bank, pointed to the growing gap between rapid career progression and leadership readiness—warning that this could undermine institutional stability if left unaddressed.
Reinforcing the link between talent and national development, Patricia Amitto, speaking on behalf of the Uganda Bankers Association, noted:
“Strategic plans do not create growth—people do. The success of our industry’s ambitions rests entirely on the talent we develop and manage.”
The Talent Convention 2026 reaffirmed UIBFS’ commitment to; Strengthening talent development across the financial services sector, Building robust leadership pipelines and succession frameworks, Enhancing institutional capacity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Promoting sustainable, people-centered growth strategies, Aligning industry talent with Uganda’s long-term economic transformation agenda
The success of the convention was made possible through the support of key industry sponsors, including Pearl Bank, I&M Bank, Pride Bank, United Bank for Africa, Centenary Bank, Cairo Bank Uganda, Tropical Bank, and Opportunity Bank.
