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.

The transaction, according to a statement made to police by Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi, a Nigerian national and diplomatic officer serving at the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, involved a chain of meetings and introductions that included Uganda’s Second Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Dr. Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya. The account places the centre of the negotiations at Old Kampala Mosque, where the Deputy Mufti’s office reportedly became the starting point for discussions over the proposedgold deal purchase.

Whereas the statement does not establish that Sheikh Bukenya personally supplied or manufactured the counterfeit bars, the Deputy Mufti supposedly  introduced the Prince and his associates to people represented as legitimate gold dealers and later became involved in arrangements surrounding all the transactions.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and any persons accused of wrongdoing would be entitled to respond to them and to the presumption of innocence unless and until Court at City Hall determines otherwise.

A trusted introduction

According to Abdullahi’s statement, the events began in early August 2026 when he and a Nigerian medical doctor, also a staff with Mulago Hospital, a one Dr. Sadique, sought to source genuine gold. Sadique, the statement says, knew Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya and had previously been contacted by him concerning gold issues.

The Deputy Mufti allegedly represented that he knew legitimate gold sellers and had a licence relating to gold transactions. That representation, according to Abdullahi, gave the prospective buyers confidence that they were dealing with people, including a respected and trustworth Mufti, who could provide genuine gold.

Abdullahi says him and Sadique subsequently met Sheikh Bukenya at Old Kampala Mosque, where they discussed the sourcing of gold. The Deputy Mufti allegedly confirmed that he had access to legitimate sellers and proposed that the Nigerians work with him and his business associates. But the first attempt quickly ran into trouble.

According to the statement, the first person presented as a seller produced what appeared to be gold but was subsequently considered counterfeit. The proposed transaction consequently collapsed. Rather than ending the search, however, the failed deal was followed by another approach.

Mufti Again Featres with a Second Seller

Abdullahi says that several days later, Sheikh Bukenya contacted Sadique again and claimed that he had found another person who possessed genuine gold. This time, the transaction was allegedly presented as urgent. Muhammad Kwaido, the earlier mentioned complainant and a brother to Abdullahi, attended a subsequent meeting at the Deputy Mufti’s office along with Dr. Sadique.

It was there, according to the statement, that Sheikh Bukenya introduced them to his associate, a man identified as Muzamiru, together with another person presented as the gold seller. Muzamiru has since been arrested and remanded. He was also identfied as Mufti Bukenya`s Personal Assistant. The participants discussed the proposed purchase, including the price, testing arrangements, processing and the procedure for completing the transaction.

The Deal Location Changes Repeatedly

Initially, the transaction was to take place at the Deputy Mufti’s office. Abdullahi says Sheikh Bukenya later changed the proposed location to a restaurant near the Gaddafi Mosque, explaining that his office lacked the electrical power socket required for the intended procedure. Gaddafi is the seat of Isilam faith in Uganda.

The Mufti supposedly suggested that the smelting of the gold could, if necessary, even be conducted from the restaurant at the Mosque. But the restaurant also proved unsuitable! According to the statement, the purported sellers considered the location too open and proposed moving the operation to Nureen Enterprises Ltd, a supposed smelting company of their choice.

The Refinery and the Three Bars

The group then proceeded to Nureen Enterprises in the outskirts of the Capital Kampala.  The people present at the refinery, according to Abdullahi, included Sheikh Bukenya, Muhammad Kwaido, Muzamiru, Dr. Sadique, Abdullahi himself and the person presented as the seller. They all waited for about two hours for the purported seller’s partners, a man and a woman, to arrive with the gold.

Eventually, the pair arrived carrying a bag with three bars purported to be gold. The transaction now entered a more technical stage. The parties were told that USD300 was required for smelting and testing the three bars. According to Abdullahi, they were assured that the money paid for testing and smelting would be refunded once the transaction was completed.

At that stage, Abdullahi says, he had no reason to suspect that the bars were fake. He says he relied on the representations of the people presenting the bars as genuine gold, the testing and processing procedures taking place at the refinery and, importantly, the confidence he placed in the people who had introduced the sellers, in particular Sheikh Bukenya and his associate Muzamiru. Following the testing and other arrangements, the purported sellers handed over a locked black toolbox containing the three bars.

The Payment

The group then left the refinery. According to Abdullahi, he temporarily held the locked toolbox as the group travelled in the Deputy Mufti’s vehicle to an area near the Nigerian High Commission. It was at this point that the payment mechanism allegedly changed from an ordinary cash or banking transaction, to cryptocurrency.

Sheikh Bukenya, the sellers and Muzamiru reportedly informed the buyers that payment would be made in USDT, a cryptocurrency commonly used for dollar-denominated transactions. Muzamiru was reportedly instructed to contact a USDT agent who could receive the money.

Abdullahi says the Nigerians contacted a forex agent known to them as Aminu and arranged for  the USD288,000 to be sent to the USDT agent introduced by the other side. The payment was eventually made. For the buyers, the transaction appeared to have been completed. But the most consequential part of the deal was yet to come.

The Gold Fails a Second Examination

After payment, Muhammad Kwaido proceeded with arrangements for documentation and the proposed exportation of the purported gold. It was during further examination and testing required before the gold could be documented and exported that the transaction unravelled. The three bars were subjected to additional testing.

According to Abdullahi’s statement, the results showed that they were not genuine gold bars. Instead, the bars were found to consist of steel or another base metal coated or plated with gold. The discovery transformed what had appeared to be a completed multimillion-shilling transaction into a case of sophisticated deception. The buyer had paid for three bars that were allegedly counterfeit.

The race back to the Deputy Mufti’s office

The discovery triggered an immediate attempt to confront those involved. Abdullahi says he and Kwaido contacted Sadique and went directly to Sheikh Bukenya’s office at Gadaffi Mosque. They informed the Deputy Mufti that the purported gold had failed the additional examination and showed him the bars.

The two Nigerians sought his intervention, according to the statement, because of what they described as his involvement in the transaction and because he had introduced Muzamiru as his business partner. In addition, Dr. Bukenya had earlier informed them how he had personally sourced the sellers from DR Congo and that they were in Uganda on his invitation and expense, hence the earlier mentioned urgency the transaction required.

That relationship, the statement suggests, was central to the confidence the prospective buyers placed in the deal. Abdullahi nevertheless makes a deliberate distinction about his own role. He says he was neither the owner, purchaser nor seller of the purported gold and did not introduce Kwaido to the individuals who presented themselves as sellers.

The Mysterious USD5,800

Beyond the headline figure of USD288,000, Abdullahi’s statement raises questions about smaller sums allegedly exchanged before the main payment. He says he was informed that the buyer had already given Sheikh Bukenya US$2,800 in connection with the transaction. He further says Sadique told him that he and the Deputy Mufti had added another USD3,000, allegedly calculated at US$1,000 per kilogramme. Together, the amounts were said to total TO USD5,800.

According to the statement, this amount was to be divided among four people, with each person receiving USD1,450. There was also reportedly a request for an additional USD3,000 from the buyer. Abdullahi says he communicated that request to Kwaido. But after the discovery of the counterfeit gold, he says he returned the USD2,400 he had personally received, to the buyer. The statement does not, by itself, establish the ultimate whereabouts or disposition of all the other funds allegedly paid in connection with the transaction.

Why the Deputy Mufti’s Role Matters

The most sensitive element of the allegations is not simply the counterfeit gold. It is the role allegedly played by a senior religious figure in bringing the parties together. Abdullahi repeatedly emphasises the trust attached to Sheikh Bukenya’s position. In his concluding remarks, he says the discussions concerning the transaction took place at the Deputy Mufti’s office and that those involved believed him to be a person of high integrity because of his position and status.

That confidence, if the account is substantiated, would have been a crucial element in the transaction. For the buyers, the presence and involvement of a senior religious leader allegedly gave credibility to people they did not otherwise know. The central question for investigators, therefore, is whether Sheikh Bukenya was simply an intermediary who was himself deceived by purported gold sellers, or whether he knew, or should have known, that the transaction was fraudulent. Remember he fully owned them before the buyer as his visitors from DR Congo.

A Transaction that Moved Through Trusted Spaces

The chronology described in the statement is striking. The prospective buyers were first brought into contact with the alleged sellers through discussions at Old Kampala Mosque. The transaction was then considered at the Deputy Mufti’s office. It was moved to a restaurant around Gaddafi Mosque.

From there, the parties went to a chosen smelting company, where they waited for the purported sellers’ associates to arrive with the three bars. After the purported gold was handed over, the group travelled in the Deputy Mufti’s vehicle to an area near the Nigerian High Commission. Payment was then made through a USDT arrangement.

Only after the buyer began the process of documenting and exporting the gold did additional testing expose the bars as counterfeit. It is this sequence that gives the allegations their extraordinary character. A transaction worth nearly three hundred thousand US Dollars  allegedly passed through a series of locations and intermediaries before the product was ultimately exposed as fake.

Questions Investigators will Have to Answer

As the matter proceeds to a full criminal investigation, several questions become central. Who supplied the three bars? The statement refers to a man and a woman who allegedly arrived with the purported gold, as well as the person initially presented as the seller. Establishing their identities and tracing their movements could be critical.

Who owned the gold, or knew where it came from? Investigators would need to establish the chain of custody of the three bars before they reached Nureen Enterprises. What did the refinery’s first tests actually establish? The statement says the bars underwent testing and processing before payment. Investigators will need to examine what tests were conducted, what their results were and whether the procedures could have been manipulated.

The, Who received the USD288,000? The money was reportedly sent in USDT to an agent introduced by the other side. Tracing the digital wallet addresses, intermediary accounts and eventual beneficiaries could provide an important financial trail.

What was the purpose of the additional payments? The alleged USD2,800, USD3,000 contribution and subsequent request for another USD3,000 will also require clarification. What exactly was the relationship between Sheikh Bukenya and Muzamiru? Abdullahi says Muzamiru was introduced as the Deputy Mufti’s business partner. Investigators would need to establish the nature of that relationship and whether it extended to the gold transaction. Did anyone know the bars were counterfeit before the payment was made? This may ultimately be the most important question.

The presumption of innocence

The allegations contained in Abdullahi’s statement are serious, but an allegation is not proof of criminal liability. The statement represents the account of one participant in the transaction and in our subsquent series, we shall test against the evidence of other participants, transaction records, communications, refinery records, CCTV footage, cryptocurrency transfers and forensic examination of the bars.

Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya and the other people mentioned in the statement definitely have the right to provide their accounts of what happened. Surprisingly, in one of the clips before our desk, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramathan Mubajje is seen on the table, supposedly as a reconcilliator after the bad deal. His statement too, will be sought for our better reporting of the matter.

For investigators, the task is to determine whether this was a case of criminals exploiting the reputation and connections of an influential religious figure, or whether the Deputy Mufti himself played a knowing role in a deliberate scheme to defraud the Nigerian buyer. For Muhammad Kwaido, however, the immediate reality was stark. Three bars that had been represented as gold were allegedly worthless base metal beneath a thin covering of gold. And US$288,000 had already changed hands!

The Investigator has established that Gold Medal, a company that has for years specialised in importing garments and other merchandise from China, has been unable to operate this year following enforcement action by URA officials.

The company now claims that its troubles began after a dispute with one of its clients escalated into a confrontation involving Sharifa Nakalema, a URA official who works in intelligence collection.

Gold Medal officials allege that Nakalema subsequently demanded a stake in the company from its Chinese investors and threatened consequences when the proposal was rejected.

Nakalema, however, declined to respond to the allegations when contacted by The Investigator, saying she was too busy to discuss the matter.

The Groupage Business

Gold Medal’s business model revolves largely around Groupage imports, a system in which goods belonging to several small-scale traders are consolidated into shipments from China before being transported, cleared and distributed to individual clients in Uganda.

According to Ruth, a director at Gold Medal, the company charges its customers a service fee for facilitating the importation and clearance of their merchandise.

She says the business had operated normally until one of its consignments was delayed last year.

One of the affected clients, according to Ruth, had goods valued at about Shs20 million in the delayed shipment. The client complained about the delay and subsequently demanded Shs30 million from Gold Medal as compensation, in addition to taking possession of her merchandise.

Ruth says the company apologised for the delay and attempted to resolve the dispute amicably.

“Gold Medal offered to pay Shs12 million and also have her take her goods without paying,” Ruth said, explaining that the company was prepared to absorb part of the loss to settle the matter. The client allegedly rejected the offer and insisted on the Shs30 million compensation.

Summoned to URA

The dispute took a dramatic turn when Ruth was summoned to URA offices. She says she was surprised to find the complainant already at the URA offices with Nakalema.

According to Ruth, she was detained at Nakalema’s office until about 3am before being taken to Jinja Road Police Station. She claims police at Jinja Road declined to admit her and she was instead taken to Kira Road Police Station.

“I was detained at Kira Road without any case or file for about three days when my people came for me,” she said. The allegations could not independently be verified by The Investigator, and no police or court documents have been presented to this publication confirming the circumstances of the detention.

The dispute was eventually resolved financially, with Gold Medal agreeing to pay the client Shs30 million, according to Ruth. But, she says, that settlement did not end the company’s problems.

The Café Javas Meeting

Ruth claims that after the dispute was settled, Nakalema demanded a meeting with Gold Medal’s Chinese owners.

The meeting was reportedly arranged by Dr Hamza Sebunya, the husband of musician Rema Namakula, and took place at Café Javas in Lugogo.

Ruth says she attended the meeting and that she has recordings of the discussions.

According to her account, Nakalema told the Chinese investors that if they wanted Gold Medal to continue operating in the Groupage importation business, they had to make her a business partner.

“She made it clear before my bosses that if they want to remain in the business of Groupage importation, they have to offer her shares in the company,” Ruth alleged. She claims the demand was for a 50 percent stake in Gold Medal.

The Chinese investors allegedly rejected the proposal. Nakalema is also accused of demanding that Ruth be removed as the company’s resident director.

Faced with the demand for shares, the Chinese investors allegedly proposed an alternative arrangement under which Nakalema would receive Shs5 million for every container cleared.

Ruth says the proposal was rejected and the discussions collapsed.

The Investigator could not independently authenticate the alleged recordings or verify the details of the meeting with the other participants.

Alleged Payments

Ruth further alleges that despite the disagreement over the proposed business arrangement, Nakalema later received more than Shs80 million from the Chinese investors in connection with the clearance of some containers.

She claims Gold Medal has records showing the amounts allegedly paid and the accounts through which the money was transferred.

According to Ruth, some of the payments were allegedly delivered through Dr Hamza.

“These are payments we can account for. I have the figures and the accounts where the money was wired,” she said.

The allegations, however, remain claims by Gold Medal officials and could not independently be verified by The Investigator.

There was also no evidence presented to this publication showing the nature of any contractual or official arrangement under which such payments would have been made.

Gold Medal Shuts Down

The company believes its refusal to give Nakalema a stake eventually triggered the enforcement action that brought its business to a standstill.

Ruth claims Nakalema threatened to close the company after the Chinese investors refused to make her a partner.

Two months ago, according to the company, URA enforcement officials raided its premises and subsequently closed the business.

Since then, Gold Medal says it has been unable to operate. “We have not worked at all this year. That is why we are demanding justice,” Ruth said.

The closure has reportedly affected the company’s Chinese investors, employees and numerous small-scale traders who depended on Gold Medal to consolidate and clear their merchandise.

For the Chinese investors, the dispute has evolved from a commercial disagreement into what they describe as a fight for the survival of their investment.

Questions for URA

The allegations raise broader questions about the conduct of revenue enforcement officers, the boundaries of intelligence operations and the protection of foreign investment in Uganda.

URA officials have wide responsibilities in enforcing tax and customs laws, including investigating suspected violations and ensuring compliance with customs procedures.

However, allegations that a public official demanded shares in a private company, sought to remove a director or received money from investors would raise serious questions if established.

Such claims would require scrutiny by the relevant authorities and should be tested against documentary evidence, financial records and the official record of the enforcement actions against Gold Medal.

The company says it is ready to provide its records, including alleged payment trails and recordings of meetings, to investigators.

The allegations also come at a time when Uganda continues to court Chinese investors and promote itself as a destination for foreign capital.

For Gold Medal’s owners, the central issue is no longer simply the original dispute with a customer.

They want authorities to investigate how a client compensation dispute escalated into what they allege became an attempt to control their business and, eventually, its closure.

Nakalema Responds

The Investigator contacted Nakalema by telephone and asked her to respond to the allegations made by Gold Medal. She declined to discuss the matter. “I am very busy. I can’t talk anything on that matter. And I also don’t have time to meet you,” Nakalema said.

Her response was the only comment obtained from her regarding the allegations.

The Investigator was unable to independently establish whether the alleged recordings and payment records exist or whether the enforcement action against Gold Medal was connected to the accusations made by Ruth.

The company maintains that it has evidence to support its claims and is demanding an investigation.

As the controversy deepens, the fate of Gold Medal now rests on whether the allegations can be independently substantiated and whether the relevant authorities will examine the evidence presented by the company.

For the Chinese investors and the Ugandan employees whose livelihoods depend on the business, the demand is straightforward: they want their company reopened and the circumstances surrounding its closure investigated.

Until that happens, Gold Medal remains shut, while serious allegations against a URA intelligence official continue to hang over the company’s collapse.

Behind every pension contribution, unit trust investment, government bond purchase, or corporate security lies a custodian ensuring that investors’ assets are safe, properly accounted for, and managed in line with regulatory requirements.

Who Regulates Custodial Services in Uganda?

Custodial services operate within a tightly regulated framework designed to protect investors and maintain market integrity. In Uganda, custodians are licensed and supervised by key regulators, including the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), which oversees capital market activities, and the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA), which regulates retirement benefits schemes. In addition, the custodians are domiciled within licensed banking institutions, and their activities are subject to oversight by the Bank of Uganda, which regulates and supervises banks. Custodians also comply with requirements issued by securities depositories and other market infrastructure institutions.

This robust regulatory oversight ensures that investor assets are held independently, transactions are properly recorded, and financial institutions adhere to the highest standards of governance, risk management and accountability.

What Is the Role of a Custodian?

A custodian is an independent financial institution trusted to safely hold and administer investors’ assets, such as government securities, shares, bonds, pension fund investments and unit trusts.

A custodian does more than keep assets safe, they help complete investment transactions, receive income such as dividends and interest, update ownership records, check investment balances and provide reports to investors and regulators. In simple terms, it is like a trusted record keeper who ensures every investment is received, recorded and accounted for.

This independence is important because it separates the people who manage investments from the institution that holds them. Like keeping house keys with a trusted caretaker rather than the tenant, this separation helps reduce fraud, errors and misuse of investor funds.

Why Custodial Services Matter

Uganda is at a pivotal stage of financial development. Pension funds, insurance companies, asset managers and collective investment schemes are managing increasingly larger pools of capital, creating a need for stronger financial infrastructure.

Custodial services safeguard investor assets by ensuring they are held securely and separately from the assets of service providers. This means that regardless of challenges faced by an institution, investor assets remain protected.

Custodians also provide independent oversight of investment transactions. Every trade is verified, reconciled and accurately recorded, reducing operational risks and enhancing transparency. This visibility enables regulators, trustees, fund managers and investors to make informed decisions while promoting confidence in Uganda’s capital markets.

In addition, custodians facilitate the efficient functioning of financial markets by supporting trade settlement, asset servicing and investment participation across local and international markets. Their presence is widely regarded as a hallmark of a mature and trustworthy financial system.

Who Are the Typical Clients of Custodial Services?

Custodial services usually work behind the scenes, but they serve clients whose investments affect many Ugandans.

Typical clients include pension and retirement benefits schemes, unit trusts, insurance companies, asset managers, corporate institutions, government entities, high-net-worth individuals and other institutional investors.

Through these clients, custodians help protect the retirement savings, insurance funds and investment portfolios of ordinary Ugandans.

How Do Custodial Services Benefit an Ordinary Ugandan?

Many Ugandans may never meet a custodian, but they benefit from the protection custodians provide.

For example, when a worker contributes to a pension scheme, a custodian helps ensure that the savings are safely held and independently monitored. When someone invests in a unit trust or government security, the custodian helps ensure the investment is properly recorded and reconciled.

At a national level, strong custody services attract more investment, support business growth, and strengthen confidence in Uganda’s financial markets. This can contribute to jobs, economic growth, and broader financial inclusion.

Simply put, custodial services help ensure that when Ugandans invest for the future, their money is protected, properly recorded and independently checked.

What New Innovation Is Centenary Bank Bringing to the Custody Market?

Centenary Bank is entering the custody market with solutions aimed at improving access, transparency, and confidence for investors.

Through its custodial services, the Bank will support different investment products and institutional investors while using technology to improve safekeeping, reporting, transparency, and efficiency.

This is an important step for Uganda’s financial market. By combining its national presence, governance standards and technology-led service model, Centenary Bank aims to provide investors with a trusted local partner for custody services.

A Catalyst for Uganda’s Financial Transformation

As Uganda continues to grow its savings and investment culture, custodial services will become even more important. They provide the trust and structure needed for long-term savings, institutional investment and capital market growth.

Think of custodial services as the quiet security system behind an investment. The investor may not see it every day, but it protects assets, supports accountability and helps the market operate with confidence.

In simple terms, custodial services are not just a back-office function. They are a key part of financial trust. They help ensure that every shilling entrusted for investment is protected, accounted for, and positioned to grow.

The writer is the Manager Custodial Services, Centenary Bank

By Pauline Kansiime

The initiative, launched under the theme “Growing Trees, Transforming Lives, Restoring Creation,” will support the restoration of degraded landscapes while creating environmental and economic benefits for participating communities.

Environmental degradation, particularly deforestation is one of the key sustainability challenges today which is worsening climate change through global warming. It affects agricultural production, business continuity, household incomes and the well-being of communities as a result of irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged drought and floods among others negative impacts of climate change.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Centenary Bank, Godfrey Byekwaso said the Cente Green Days forms part of the bank’s Environmental, Social and Governance agenda and its commitment to sustainable and responsible banking.

“At Centenary Bank, we are a values-based Bank that recognises the critical connection between financial services, businesses, communities and the environment in which they operate. It is therefore imperative on us to restore the environment in order to enhance the resilience and prosperity of the communities, especially vulnerable ones, only then can the bank prosper,” he said.

Centenary Bank plans to support the growing of 100,000 indigenous timber and fruit trees every year for the next five years across Uganda, making 500,000 trees by 2030. The initiative is expected to contribute to the restoration of approximately 300 acres of degraded land across 12 districts this year and about 1,500 acres over a five-year period.

The Bank is implementing the initiative in partnership with the Uganda Episcopal Conference and Good Forests Foundation with 12 Dioceses of Arua, Nebbi, Kiyinda-Mityana, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kasese, Kotido, Moroto, Fort Portal and Tororo already participating in the programme.

Byekwaso said the Bank chose to work with the Catholic Church because of its trusted leadership, strong community presence and long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition to owning significant amounts of degraded land, the Church can mobilise communities and inspire people to embrace care for creation as a shared responsibility.

Good Forests Foundation on the other hand brings a wealth of the technical knowledge required to deliver lasting results. Its expertise in site assessment, species selection, planting, maintenance and monitoring will support tree survival and the successful restoration of degraded land.

“We also want participating communities to receive practical benefits from this programme. Indigenous timber and fruit trees can help protect soils, improve food security, diversify household incomes and strengthen resilience to erosion, floods and droughts,” Byekwaso added.

He called upon other organisations to join Cente Green Days and contribute resources, expertise and community networks to expand the programme’s impact beyond its initial five-year target.

Tree growing is not new to Centenary Bank, since 2023, it has supported the growth of over 250,000 trees across the Country. Additionally, in 2025, Centenary Bank began measuring its carbon emissions which stood at more than 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The Bank is now taking deliberate steps to manage and reduce its environmental footprint, including supporting tree growing as part of broader efforts to contribute to carbon sequestration.

Centenary Bank, which has partnered with the Rotary Cancer Run for the past 15 years, joined Rotary Uganda and thousands of Ugandans in this year’s run. The Bank has contributed more than UGX 3 billion towards the initiative over the years as a platinum sponsor, supporting cancer awareness, screening, treatment and the development of critical healthcare infrastructure.

Speaking at the 2026 Rotary Cancer Run at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Centenary Bank Managing Director, Godfrey Byekwaso, said the Bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Ugandans.

“Today’s run is a reminder that we all have a role to play. We can champion cancer prevention by adopting healthy lifestyles, encouraging regular screening and early diagnosis, supporting families affected by cancer and continuing to invest in facilities and services that improve access to treatment. I implore everyone to see every step you have taken as a contribution towards saving lives,” he said.

This year’s Rotary Cancer Run will support the completion of the LINAC bunkers at the Centenary Bank Cancer Centre at Nsambya Hospital. The bunkers will house radiotherapy equipment that will help expand access to cancer treatment for Ugandans.

Through its partnership with Rotary Uganda, Centenary Bank has partnered in the construction of the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Centre at Nsambya Hospital, which provides cancer screening, chemotherapy, surgery and palliative care services. The partnership has also facilitated more than 300 health camps across the country, taking cancer awareness, screening and early detection services closer to communities.

Byekwaso said Centenary Bank’s support reflects their commitment to improving lives beyond banking. Every year, Centenary Bank dedicates 1.5 percent of its previous year’s profits to corporate social responsibility initiatives that address community needs.

“Health remains one of our priority areas because access to quality healthcare helps families, businesses and communities thrive. This year, we have committed UGX 500 million to support the 2026 Cancer Run,” Byekwaso said.

He also noted that the Bank’s commitment to the Cancer Run goes beyond financial support, with various branches across the country having sold Cancer Run kits in preparation for the run and the bank’s staff across the country having been actively mobilized to participate in this year’s run. The Bank has also encouraged its customers, partners and communities to join the cause because fighting cancer requires collective action.

Centenary Bank’s support for the Rotary Cancer Run is part of its ESG mandate, where it supports communities in various activities outside banking under the themes of health, education, environmental stewardship and the social mission of the church. These include, but are not limited to, supporting hospitals with various needs like machinery and furniture; supporting schools with construction, textbooks and furniture; supporting communities with waste management, tree growing and sanitation equipment; as well as supporting the church with items like church furniture, events and financial literacy.

The Rotary Cancer Run has grown into one of Uganda’s largest charity events, bringing together individuals, corporate partners, institutions and communities to raise funds and awareness for cancer prevention and treatment. Centenary Bank’s participation is part of its wider commitment to improving lives and supporting sustainable community development.

The initiative, supported by Centenary Bank was launched with a groundbreaking ceremony at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, bringing together hospital management and staff, Centenary Bank Managing Director Godfrey Byekwaso, bank representatives and other stakeholders.

As a healthcare institution that has served generations of Ugandans, St Francis Hospital Nsambya continues to expand its services to meet the needs of the growing number of patients it serves. The investment in effective waste management is therefore an important step towards ensuring that the quality of healthcare is complemented by safe and responsible handling of waste generated within the facility.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Centenary Bank Managing Director, Godfrey Byekwaso said the initiative reinforces the importance of creating healthcare environments that protect patients, health workers and communities.

“Today, as we launch this waste management system, we amplify the value of creating a safer, cleaner and healthier environment for patients, healthcare workers and the surrounding community,” Byekwaso said.

The initiative also reflects the growing importance of responsible healthcare waste management in protecting public health and the environment. Safe healthcare waste management is an essential component of a well-functioning healthcare facility, ensuring that waste generated by medical services is handled safely and responsibly.

“The facility whose construction we begin today will improve the segregation, handling and safe disposal of healthcare waste. It will protect our patients, staff, surrounding community and environment, while helping the Hospital meet the standards expected of a modern healthcare institution,” Dr. Andrew Muyingo Ssekitooleko, the Chief Executive Officer, St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, said.

For Centenary Bank, the support is built on a longstanding partnership with the Rotary Club and St Francis Hospital Nsambya. Through such partnerships, the Bank has supported the Rotary Cancer Run and the establishment of the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Centre at Nsambya Hospital. The latest contribution extends into another area that directly contributes to health, safety, and environmental sustainability, with health and community well-being remaining important areas of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility agenda.

Centenary Bank annually allocates 1.5% of its previous year’s profits to Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives focused on healthcare, education, environmental stewardship, community development and the Social Mission of the Church. Based on this foundation, the Bank contributed UGX 20 million towards the waste management project as part of its commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the community.

Byekwaso commended the management and staff of St Francis Hospital Nsambya for prioritizing responsible waste management and continuously seeking ways to improve the environment in which healthcare is delivered.

“We aspire to see this project deliver sustainable impact long after today’s launch. We remain committed to partnerships that go beyond banking and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of the communities we serve,” he said.

He added that sustainable partnerships between institutions are essential to addressing challenges affecting communities, noting that a healthier community ultimately contributes to a stronger society.

Centenary Bank continues to support partnerships and initiatives that create meaningful and sustainable impact in the communities it serves.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Prof. Alinaitwe described his appointment as both an honour and a profound responsibility, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Board of one of the country’s most important public utilities. He also paid tribute to the Corporation’s Management and staff for their dedication over the years and congratulated the outgoing Board, led by Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu, for the significant progress achieved during its six-year tenure.

Looking ahead, the new Chairman acknowledged that while NWSC has made remarkable strides in expanding access to water and sanitation services, several critical challenges will require continued strategic attention. Among these, he identified non-revenue water, driven largely by pipeline vandalism and illegal water use, as one of the Corporation’s key operational priorities.

Prof. Alinaitwe also highlighted the increasing pressure created by rapid urbanisation and population growth, noting that demand for water services continues to rise faster than the expansion of existing infrastructure. He observed that parts of Kampala’s water network have now served for more than five decades, underscoring the need for sustained investment in rehabilitation and network expansion. He further pointed to the rising costs of electricity and water treatment chemicals, together with the need to expand sewerage coverage, as issues that will continue to shape the Corporation’s investment priorities in the years ahead.

Despite these challenges, the incoming Chairman expressed confidence in NWSC’s ability to deliver on its mandate, citing the Corporation’s extensive national footprint, strong technical expertise, committed workforce and sound governance systems as key strengths that provide a solid platform for continued growth. He also commended the Corporation’s customer-focused culture and the quality of water services it continues to provide across the country.

Prof. Alinaitwe reaffirmed his commitment to building on the achievements of the outgoing Board, emphasizing that the next phase of the Corporation’s journey will be guided by continuity, innovation and a shared commitment to delivering reliable and sustainable water and sewerage services for all Ugandans.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity for members of the outgoing Board to reflect on their six years of service. Delivering the vote of thanks, Rt. Hon. Daniel Kidega described his tenure on the Board as both rewarding and transformative, expressing appreciation to NWSC’s Management and staff for the collaboration, trust and professional support they extended throughout the Board’s term. He noted that the Corporation’s deliberate investment in strengthening corporate governance had equipped Board members with valuable leadership experience and contributed significantly to the institution’s success.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the incoming leadership formally signed the SCALE Area Performance Contracts, reaffirming their commitment to accountability and improved service delivery under the Corporation’s new performance management framework. The event concluded with an awards ceremony in recognition of the outgoing Board’s dedicated service, marking the end of one successful chapter and the beginning of another as NWSC continues its journey towards delivering safe, reliable and sustainable water and sewerage services across Uganda.

This is because customer experience does not begin when a customer walks into a branch, opens an app or calls a contact centre. It begins much earlier with the people, culture and systems that shape every interaction behind the scenes.

This was one of the strongest messages to emerge from the Annual Customer Experience CEO Breakfast, where business leaders reflected on how organisations must rethink the role of customer experience to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive environment.

Speaking at the event, Centenary Bank Managing Director Godfrey Byekwaso argued that organisations often focus on what customers experience when they interact with the business. The real differentiator lies in what happens when customers are not there.

“Customer experience is not just about what people feel when they come to us, but also about what we do when they are not there. Behind the curtains, behind the doors, what are we doing to make sure there is sustenance of that experience?”, Byekwaso said.

For many organisations, service delivery has traditionally been viewed as a support function responsible for resolving complaints, monitoring service standards and tracking satisfaction scores. While these remain important, they are no longer enough.

When the customer journey is treated as the responsibility of one department, organisations often limit it to frontline staff. Yet customers rarely judge a business solely by the interaction they have with a teller, relationship manager or call centre agent. Their experience is shaped by every process working behind the scenes, from how quickly systems respond and how efficiently products are designed to how effectively different departments collaborate.

“At Centenary Bank, our mission of transforming lives guides every interaction with customers. We provide financial solutions appropriately and conveniently, but the ultimate purpose is the transformation of lives. If we all wake up every day asking whether we have transformed somebody’s life today, there is no way we are going to lose the customer,” Byekwaso commented.

He challenged customer experience professionals to move beyond measuring complaints resolved or service requests handled and instead become business leaders who use customer insights to improve operations, identify efficiencies and design products that create lasting value.

However, customer experience cannot improve if employee experience is overlooked.

Employees cannot consistently deliver exceptional service when they are constrained by inefficient processes, disconnected systems or limited collaboration across departments. The quality of the customer experience will always mirror the quality of the internal experience.

Centenary Bank’s Chief Manager, Customer Experience, Antonina Agatha Odhiambo echoed this thinking by emphasising that customer experience is built through people and the processes that support them. While customers remain at the centre of every business, delivering consistently positive experiences requires organisations to intentionally invest in employees and the systems that enable them.

Technology will undoubtedly continue to transform how organisations engage customers. Artificial intelligence will personalise services, data analytics will anticipate customer needs, and digital platforms will become faster and more intuitive. Yet, Byekwaso cautioned that technology should never come at the expense of understanding people.

He noted that customer needs are far from uniform, requiring organisations to design experiences that reflect the realities of different customer segments.

“A farmer in Kabale is different from an entrepreneur in Owino. Their needs are different. Yes, we invest in technology because our customers need convenience, but we also maintain the human touch through our 81 physical branches because it brings empathy, trust and understanding.”

This philosophy is reflected in the bank’s continued investment in both digital channels and physical branches, recognising that while customers increasingly value convenience, many still rely on personal interactions to make important financial decisions.

Businesses that will distinguish themselves over the next decade will not simply be those with the most advanced technology. They will be those that build cultures where employees are empowered, departments collaborate seamlessly and every decision is made with the customer in mind.

As organisations prepare for Customer Service Week in October, the conversation is shifting beyond service excellence to employee experience and customer obsession. Increasingly, businesses recognise that customer loyalty is no longer won at the point of service. It is earned much earlier in the boardroom, through organisational culture and in the everyday experiences of employees.

Ultimately, customer experience is not defined by a single interaction, but by every decision an organisation makes long before a customer arrives. It is shaped by the culture leaders create, the employees they empower, the technology they invest in and, above all, the trust they build every day. Businesses that recognise this will not only deliver better service culture but also build stronger loyalty and sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Speaking at a recent Rotary Cancer Run activation held at St. Francis Nsambya Hospital, Centenary Bank Managing Director Godfrey Byekwaso highlighted the importance of taking action against cancer beyond the annual race, noting that the fight must begin with awareness, education, early detection and collective community action.

“The fight against cancer does not begin on the day of the race. It begins with awareness, education, early screening and our collective community action,” he said.

The call comes at a time when cancer continues to touch families across Uganda, with personal experiences shared during the activation highlighting the human cost of delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Byekwaso noted that many people only seek medical attention when cancer has already advanced, making awareness and early detection critical in changing outcomes. Through initiatives such as the Rotary Cancer Run, communities are encouraged to overcome fear, seek screening and pursue timely medical attention.

“Awareness is important so that people can go for treatment,” Byekwaso emphasised, highlighting the need to create an environment where people feel encouraged to talk about cancer, get tested and seek treatment early.

Centenary Bank’s involvement in the Rotary Cancer Run reflects a commitment to supporting the well-being of the communities it serves. The Bank has now supported 13 editions of the Cancer Run, contributing more than Shs3 billion to the fight against cancer over the years and taking part in over 300 health camps with Rotary across the country. This year alone, it has committed Shs500 million to the race, on top of more than Shs300 million towards other Rotary activities. The Bank noted that its role in society extends beyond providing financial services to investing in areas such as healthcare, education and community wellbeing.

This year’s campaign is focused on raising funds towards the construction of radiotherapy infrastructure, highlighting the importance of collective action in strengthening Uganda’s healthcare system and expanding access to critical cancer care.

The Bank further emphasised that partnerships remain central to creating sustainable impact, with organisations and individuals coming together around a shared goal of improving healthcare outcomes for Ugandans. Every year, Centenary Bank sets aside a share of its net profit for corporate social investment; this year that stood at 2 per cent, close to Shs6 billion, supporting youth, women, refugees, children, the elderly and the business community.

“As a bank, we remain committed to partnerships that create lasting change,” Byekwaso reaffirmed, adding that it would continue its commitment to the radiotherapy initiative.

The Rotary Cancer Run activation therefore serves not only as a mobilisation platform ahead of the race, but also as a reminder that addressing cancer requires sustained action throughout the year. By encouraging early screening, promoting awareness and supporting critical cancer treatment infrastructure, stakeholders are working towards a stronger and more responsive cancer care system in Uganda.

Centenary Bank continues to encourage communities to join the collective effort against cancer and support initiatives that contribute to better health outcomes for individuals and families across the country. Byekwaso urged individuals, families, companies and institutions to sign up for the Cancer Run, buy a kit from a Centenary Bank branch, mobilise their teams and donate what they can. “I commend the Rotary fraternity for their relentless commitment, year after year. I invite every Ugandan to walk with us on this journey to run, to give and to care,” he said.