FROM ACCOUNTS OPENING TO ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN: Indigenous Centenary Bank Backs Road Safety Drive, Nkozi Trauma Centre As Uganda Records Nearly 15 Road Deaths Daily

Centenary Bank, Uganda’s leading microfinance commercial bank, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the health, road safety and overall well-being of the communities it serves.

The annual Kaliisoliiso dinner held at Hotel Africana and organized by CBS FM, brought together partners and stakeholders to raise support for road safety initiatives and the development of the Nkozi Hospital Accident and Trauma Centre, which will strengthen Nkozi Hospital’s capacity to provide quality emergency and trauma care to victims of road traffic accidents.

Speaking at the dinner, Centenary Bank Managing Director, Godfrey Byekwaso, said the Bank’s responsibility to Ugandans extends beyond providing financial services to supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

“At Centenary Bank, our purpose is to transform lives through inclusive financial services. Supporting initiatives that preserve lives and strengthen communities is a natural extension of that purpose,” he said.

He noted that health and well-being are closely linked to the social and economic progress of communities because when people have access to timely healthcare and safer environments, they are better able to work, provide for their families, run businesses, and contribute to the development of their communities.

According to the 2025 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report, Uganda recorded 26,044 road traffic crashes in 2025, up from 25,107 in 2024. The crashes resulted in 5,383 deaths, compared to 5,144 deaths recorded in 2024. That means an average of at nearly 15 people died daily from road accidents.

The Bank’s partnership with Nkozi Hospital and CBS FM is one of the initiatives through which it is supporting better health outcomes and road safety. The Bank has been part of efforts to develop the Accident and Trauma Centre at Nkozi Hospital since the first fundraising drive in 2016.

Located along the Kampala-Masaka highway, Nkozi Hospital serves communities along one of the country’s major transport corridors and receives victims of road traffic accidents, among others. The development of the Accident and Trauma Centre is expected to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide timely emergency and trauma care to accident victims.

Every year, Centenary Bank dedicates 1.5% of its previous year’s profits towards Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in education, health, environmental stewardship, Social Mission of the Church and community development.

As part of its continued support, Centenary Bank entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with CBS FM in 2025, committing UGX 280 million to the Road Safety Programme. The Bank contributed UGX 80 million in 2025 and an additional UGX 100 million this year, bringing its contribution under the partnership to UGX 180 million. Over the years, Centenary Bank has contributed more than UGX 400 million towards the initiative through fundraising dinners, marathons and other activities.

“Our decision to support this initiative reflects who we are as an institution. We serve millions of Ugandans across the country. Every day, our customers travel on these roads to open their shops, transport produce, report to work, attend school, visit their families, and more. Their safety matters to us because they are the people we exist to serve,” Byekwaso said.

Byekwaso commended CBS FM for keeping road safety and community well-being on the public agenda and mobilising different stakeholders around the development of the Nkozi Accident and Trauma Centre.

“Centenary Bank remains committed to partnerships that create lasting value for the communities we serve. We will continue to support initiatives that contribute to healthier, safer and more resilient communities because transforming lives means caring about the well-being of the people we serve every day.”

The Katikkiro of Buganda, and Chief Guest of the dinner, Charles Peter Mayiga, cautioned Ugandans against reckless driving and urged motorists to take personal responsibility for preventing road crashes.

“Do not drink and drive, always use your seat belt, do not use your phone while driving, exercise patience and discipline on the roads, particularly when overtaking, approaching busy areas and interacting with pedestrians and other road users. These may appear to be simple actions, but they can make the difference between life and death. Every road user has a responsibility to protect their own life and the lives of others,” he said.

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Jako David Waluluka: Mr. Jacko David Waluluka is another unique entertainment and general investigative news writer, a field he has diligently covered for over fifteen years. He’s also the Chief Administrator at The Investigator. He can easily be reached via [email protected]