KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) – Uganda Development Bank (UDB), has commissioned UDB Tower, its new 14-storey head office located at Plot 22, Hannington Road in Kampala, marking a major milestone in the Bank’s institutional growth and its contribution to Uganda’s long-term economic transformation.
The purpose-built head office brings UDB’s head-office operations into one modern, integrated facility designed to enhance operational efficiency, collaboration, innovation and service delivery as the Bank expands its role in financing Uganda’s development priorities.
The commissioning was officiated by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Musasizi said the commissioning of UDB Tower reflects Government’s commitment to building strong national institutions capable of supporting Uganda’s ambitious development agenda.
“Uganda’s next phase of economic transformation requires strong institutions with the capacity to mobilise long-term capital and channel it towards productive investments in agro-industrialisation, tourism development, mineral-based industrialisation, and science, technology and innovation. UDB occupies a critical place in this national development architecture, connecting our development priorities with the capital and investment required to translate them into tangible economic opportunities for Ugandans,” said Hon. Musasizi.
Hon. Musasizi added that strengthening UDB’s institutional capacity will enable the Bank to play an even greater catalytic role in supporting investments that expand Uganda’s productive base, create jobs, grow exports and contribute to higher household incomes.
“The UDB Tower is therefore more than an investment in physical infrastructure. It is an investment in the institutional capacity Uganda requires to deliver its long-term development ambitions. Government expects UDB to continue leveraging its capital, expertise and partnerships to crowd in greater levels of private and development finance into the Ugandan economy,” Hon. Musasizi said.
Over the years, UDB has undertaken a deliberate institutional transformation agenda characterised by stronger governance, enhanced operational efficiency, improved financial performance, increased development impact, expanded partnerships and continued investment in technology, systems and human capital.
The establishment of UDB Tower represents an important milestone in that journey and provides the Bank with an institutional platform from which to deliver its expanding national mandate.
UDB Board Chairman, Mr. Geoffrey T. Kihuguru, said the new head office should be viewed in the context of the Bank’s long-term responsibility to Uganda’s development.
“UDB Tower represents more than the growth of an institution. It represents our continued investment in Uganda’s capacity to finance its own development aspirations. As the country pursues accelerated economic transformation, UDB must have the institutional strength, governance, talent and infrastructure required to mobilise capital, support productive enterprises and catalyse investments of national significance,” said Mr. Kihuguru.
Mr. Kihuguru said the new head office provides an institutional platform commensurate with UDB’s growing responsibilities and reflects the Bank’s commitment to ensuring it remains resilient, sustainable and capable of delivering development impact at scale.
“Our responsibility is to build a development finance institution that is not only relevant to Uganda’s needs today, but one that has the capacity and resilience to serve generations to come. UDB Tower is part of that long-term institutional investment and reflects our confidence in the future of the Bank and, more importantly, in Uganda’s development journey,” Mr. Kihuguru added.
UDB Managing Director, Dr. Patricia Ojangole, said the commissioning of the Tower represents the culmination of an important phase in the Bank’s institutional transformation and creates a stronger platform for its people, operations and partnerships.
“UDB Tower represents a major milestone in our institutional journey. Beyond providing a modern and efficient working environment, it brings our people and operations together in a space designed to strengthen collaboration, innovation and service delivery. It also reflects the growth, resilience and ambition of an institution whose responsibility is to deliver meaningful and measurable development impact for Uganda,” said Dr. Ojangole.
She added that the Bank’s investment in its permanent home reflects a long-term approach to institutional sustainability and operational efficiency.
“As Uganda’s national Development Finance Institution, our mandate requires us to think and invest for the long term. This facility gives UDB a permanent institutional home from which we can continue strengthening our capabilities, serving our clients and partners and supporting investments that contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation,” Dr. Ojangole said.
UDB Tower has also been designed as a smart, resource-efficient and environmentally conscious building, integrating technology to improve the management of energy, security, safety and other critical building systems.
A central Building Management System provides integrated monitoring and control of key electrical and mechanical infrastructure, enabling more efficient management of the building and its resources.
The Tower incorporates a 25-kilowatt solar-power system to supplement grid electricity, alongside modern lighting controls and zoned air-conditioning systems designed to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
Extensive glazing and openable windows maximize the use of natural daylight and ventilation, reducing dependence on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling where conditions allow.
The combination of smart building technologies, renewable energy, efficient energy-management systems and climate-conscious design features reflect UDB’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable institutional operations.
The building incorporates modern workspaces, customer-service facilities, meeting and training rooms, an innovation room, Boardroom and modern ICT infrastructure, supported by integrated security and fire-safety systems. These are to be complemented by an auditorium and resource center that will position the Bank as a thought leader in development finance.
