The Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), in partnership with the Uganda Bankers Association (UBA), has officially launched the 2026 Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala under the theme “Together Towards Greatness.”
The launch was held at UBA’s offices in Muyenga, a Kampala suburb.
The gala brings together banks and financial institutions from across Uganda to celebrate sports, teamwork, employee wellbeing, networking and industry collaboration.
The launch marks the beginning of a series of sporting activities that will culminate in the grand finale on 20 September 2026.
Speaking at the launch, the Board Chairperson of UIBFS, Mr. Godfrey Ssebaana, said the Bankers’ Sports Gala provides an important platform for financial sector professionals to interact beyond the workplace, strengthen professional relationships and promote teamwork.
“Sports teach us values that are equally important in the workplace — teamwork, discipline, leadership, resilience, respect and fair play. The Bankers’ Sports Gala gives us an opportunity to celebrate these values while strengthening the bonds that unite our industry,” Mr. Ssebaana said.
The Chief Executive Officer of UIBFS, Ms. Goretti Masadde, noted that the gala is more than a sporting event, emphasising its role in promoting employee wellbeing and strengthening relationships across the financial services industry.
“The banking industry is highly competitive, but there are areas where we are stronger when we come together. The Bankers’ Sports Gala is one such platform. We compete against each other on the field, but we also build friendships, networks and stronger professional relationships,” Ms. Masadde said.
She added that this is particularly important at a time when banks are challenged to support the economy towards the 10-fold growth agenda.
Speaking at the same event, the Executive Director of People, Culture and Administration at the Bank of Uganda, Mr. Oscar Kiiza, commended UIBFS for sustaining the tradition of the annual Bankers’ Sports Gala, which provides professionals in the industry with an opportunity to network.
Mr. Kiiza represented the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Michael Atingi-Ego, who is the patron of the institute, as the guest of honour.
He noted that professionals play an important role in the growth of their institutions and, therefore, need to collaborate. He added that sports promote discipline, fair play, wellness, togetherness, networking, professional relationships and respect for rules — all of which are important lessons for life.
The 2026 gala will feature a range of sporting disciplines, providing staff of participating financial institutions with opportunities to showcase their talents, compete in a spirit of fair play and interact with colleagues from across the industry.
The organisers have called upon banks and other financial institutions to participate actively in the gala by registering teams and encouraging their staff to take part in the various activities.
Beyond competition, the gala is intended to promote team spirit, healthy lifestyles, employee engagement, networking and collaboration within Uganda’s banking and financial services sector.
This year, 28 institutions are participating, including the regulators Financial Intelligence Authority and Bank of Uganda, as well as Wazalendo SACCO, the Forex Bureau and Money Remittances Association, and Sky Reinsurance Brokers Limited.
As the industry comes together under the theme “Together Towards Greatness,” the 2026 Bankers’ Sports Gala seeks to demonstrate the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in people as a foundation for a stronger financial services sector.
About the Bankers’ Sports Gala
The Annual Bankers’ Sports Gala is an industry-wide tournament that brings together employees of banks and financial institutions in Uganda to participate in various sporting activities while promoting networking, teamwork, employee wellbeing and industry unity.
