Muyenga, Kampala – The Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) in collaboration with the Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) officially flagged off the 2025 Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala at the UBA offices in Muyenga. This year’s event, themed “Beyond the Finish Line,” also marked the launch of a groundbreaking UIBFS Sports App and a 30-day Fitness Challenge aimed at fostering physical and mental well-being in Uganda’s financial sector.
The Friday evening kicked off with high energy as hundreds of banking professionals gathered for the inaugural Bankers’ Run/Walk, with options of 3KM, 5KM, and 7KM routes. Participants registered through the newly launched UIBFS Fitness App, joined a vibrant Zumba warm-up, and hit the course in high spirits—signaling the start of a season that goes far beyond sports.
A First-of-Its-Kind App for the Sector
The highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the new UIBFS Sports Gala App, designed to help participants track their daily 5,000 steps as part of the month-long Fitness Challenge. The app will also help users upload their achievements, monitor inter-bank performance, and foster healthy competition between teams.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch our first-ever sports app. It’s a digital leap for the industry—ensuring transparency, encouraging daily fitness, and enhancing team spirit across institutions,” said Mrs. Goretti Masadde, CEO of UIBFS, during her address.
She added that future updates will allow direct integration with platforms like Google Fit, making step tracking even more seamless.
Fitness, Fun & Mental Health
Mrs. Masadde emphasized the gala’s broader purpose: mental wellness, especially in a high-pressure industry.
“This isn’t just about physical activity. It’s about reconnecting, recharging, and building resilience. Bankers often sit for long hours, juggling young families and high workloads. This initiative is designed to offer an outlet—to de-stress, to network, and to thrive,” she said.
The 30-Day Fitness Challenge will award medals and points to individuals and institutions that hit their daily targets. But the gala doesn’t stop there.
More Than a Run: A Season of Games Ahead
Running from September 5th to October 19th, the 2025 Sports Gala will feature a rich mix of indoor and outdoor games, including:
CEO/ExCo Golf Tournament, Swimming, Team quizzes, Board games, Football, CEO go-kart racing and more.
The season will culminate in a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on November 8, 2025.
Voices from the Industry
Mr. Philip Andrew Wabulya, Executive Director Risk and Strategy at Bank of Uganda, who represented the Governor Michael Atingi-Ego, reaffirmed the central bank’s support:
“A healthy mind leads to a healthy economy. As Bank of Uganda, we are proud to stand with the industry in promoting wellness, unity, and innovation. This gala is more than sport—it’s about sustainable growth and sector cohesion.”
UBA Executive Director, Mr. Wilbrod Owor, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the event provides an essential platform for strengthening bonds within the sector.
“Our staff are our greatest asset. This initiative helps us invest back into their well-being while building stronger inter-institutional relationships.”
A Strong Turnout of Institutions
The event is set to involve over 25 financial institutions, including:
Bank of Uganda, ABSA, Stanbic, Standard Chartered, Equity, Centenary, DFCU, Housing Finance Bank, PostBank, UDB, UBA, FINCA MDI, and many others.
Representatives from HR departments and executive leadership from participating banks also praised the initiative’s role in advancing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals by prioritizing staff welfare and sustainability.
Looking Beyond the Finish Line
As the name suggests, this year’s theme challenges participants not just to complete, but to go further—beyond the finish line. It’s a call to action for the banking industry to prioritize holistic wellness, collaboration, and transformation.
