KAMPALA, UGANDA –The Ugandan banking and financial services sector is poised for a major shift, driven by research-led transformation, following a major announcement made at the 2025 UIBFS Research Conference in Kampala.
Under the theme “Bridging Knowledge and Practice: Research as the Driver of Financial Sector Transformation,” the conference brought together an influential cross-section of policymakers, industry regulators, researchers, academics, and financial leaders committed to repositioning Uganda’s financial sector as a hub of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.
Speaking during the opening session, Ms. Goretti Masadde, CEO of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), unveiled a bold research agenda that will empower banks and financial institutions to turn evidence-based insights into actionable strategies. “We must move beyond just learning, we must transform, and more importantly, lead through that transformation,” Ms. Masade said. “This is the only way we can support Uganda’s 10-fold growth agenda.”
Launch of the Research and Innovation Fund
A centerpiece of the conference was the announcement of a new Research and Innovation Fund established in partnership with Makerere University. This fund will support four critical types of research:
- Academic Research in Partnership with PhD Students to generate long-term, foundational knowledge in banking and finance.
- Applied Research Projects – focused on solving real-world industry problems with high-impact solutions.
- Routine Industry Surveys – to track shifting market dynamics and provide timely insights.
- Custom Research for Individual Institutions – allowing banks and financial players to commission specific studies that inform their strategic decisions.
“This fund is not just about producing knowledge. It’s about deploying research to drive growth, improve customer service, enhance risk management, and fuel innovation across the sector,” Ms. Masadde emphasized.
Government and Regulatory Endorsement
The conference received strong endorsement from the government and the central bank.
State Minister for Finance, Hon. Henry Musasizi, who officiated as chief guest, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting evidence-based decision-making. “If we are to achieve the goals of the National Development Plan IV, we must support research that goes beyond academics, research that solves real problems and predicts future trends,” he stated.
Hon. Musasizi lauded the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund, calling it “a model for the continent” and pledged continued government backing for research that powers Uganda’s economic transformation.
Representing the Bank of Uganda, Mr. David Kalyango, Director of Supervision, relayed Governor Martin Atingi-Ego’s strong support for the initiative. “Our strategic goals, stable inflation, sound financial systems, and sustainable growth require insights rooted in data and foresight. This conference is a timely marketplace for ideas to move from theory to transformative action,” he said.
Mr. Kalyango urged researchers and industry players to institutionalize collaboration, stressing that transformative research should not remain confined to academic journals. “We need regulatory sandboxes, co-created research, and digestible policy briefs that bridge the gap between theory and practice,” he added.
Academic Collaboration with Makerere University
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, praised the Ministry of Finance for backing Makerere’s Research and Innovation Fund, which he described as one of the most unique on the African continent.
Prof. Nawangwe also hailed the decade-long partnership between UIBFS and Makerere’s School of Business as a critical platform to co-create knowledge that addresses Uganda’s present and future challenges, including climate change, agricultural resilience, and inclusive finance.
A Call to Action
Across the conference, a unified call to action echoed: Banks and financial institutions were challenged to not only fund research but actively apply its findings to improve services, extend financial inclusion, and make strategic, data-driven decisions.
Ms. Masadde concluded with a powerful message to all stakeholders: “Let the conversations started today inspire collaboration. Let them spark lasting partnerships and practical solutions that shape Uganda’s financial future.”
The event was supported by strategic sponsors including the Bank of Uganda, Centenary Bank, Pride Microfinance, Bank Insurance, and the Bank of Tanzania, marking a collective commitment to Uganda’s journey toward a knowledge-driven and inclusive financial system.
