About the ABA Awards
The Annual Bankers’ Awards, organised by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) in partnership with Uganda Bankers’ Association and Bank of Uganda, is a recognition event dedicated to honoring excellence across Uganda’s banking and financial services industry.
The 2026 Awards (Edition 2) brings together industry leaders, innovators, and transformational institutions to celebrate outstanding performance, professional integrity, and sector-wide impact.
About the Inagural Awards 2025
Award sponsor, aBi Finance
57 Submissions across 14 categories, from 14 institutions that submitted 28 banks attending the awards
9 Judges with 100+ years combined industry experience
Process audited by PwC for credibility and transparency
Integrity at the Heart of the Awards
The 2025 awards were reviewed by a panel of nine esteemed judges drawn from across the financial ecosystem, representing regulatory bodies, development partners, academia, and industry experts — collectively holding 100+ years of experience.
To ensure full transparency, independence, and credibility, the awards process was audited and validated by PwC.
The Annual Banker's Awards 2026
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
Banker of the Year
Award Description:
Recognises an outstanding banking professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional excellence, innovation, ethical conduct and measurable contribution to the growth of their institution and wider banking sector during the year under review. | |
Data Information · Monthly reports & Annual Report 2025 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Leadership & Impact. Demonstrated leadership and contribution to Bank performance | 20 |
Excellence in performance. Attainment of key responsibilities, targets and measurable results. | 20 |
Innovation & transformation. Leadership of innovative solutions. | 15 |
Contribution to the sector. i.e. Committees on Financial inclusion or at UBA. | 15 |
Ethics, Integrity & Professionalism | 15 |
People Development & Collaboration. i.e. Cross departmental support, Mentorship. | 15 |
Total | 100% |
Best Branch Manager
Award Description: The award shall be won by a Branch Manager in any bank deemed by the judges to have made the greatest contribution in the growth of their branch in 2025.
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Data Information · Reports 2025 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
The performance of the bank with him/her at the helm · Growth in profitability – 10 · Growth in Customers – 10 · Growth in deposits – 10 · Growth in loan portfolio – 10 · Quality of loan portfolio – 10 | 50 |
2025 Branch Audit Report | 20 |
Demonstration of commitment to corporate governance | 10 |
Individual service and contribution to growth of the branch | 10 |
Alignment with Values, Specific Achievements. | 10 |
Total | 100% |
Outstanding Young Banker of the year
This category aims at showcasing tomorrow’s pacesetters in the banking industry.
- The entrant should be below 35 years and working in the banking sector.
- The entrant should have shown the ability to generate new ideas, drive innovation and sustainable growth.
- Through his or her deeds (actions) the individual should have positively changed the fortunes his/her institution to the benefit of customers, colleagues, counterparties, communities and the banking sector.
- Submissions may be sent by the employing institution or by the entrant with an attachment responding to the question below;
“What idea would you implement in your organization to improve outcomes for customers, colleagues, and communities? Your idea should reflect your vision for the future of the banking profession.
INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS
The pinnacle of the evening — honoring individuals and institutions demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovation, sustainability, and exceptional service.
Bank of the Year – (Tier I, II, III, IV)
Award Description: The Bank of the Year Award is a prestigious recognition presented to a financial institution that has demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership, innovation, and customer service within a given year. This award honors a bank that has not only achieved strong financial results but also contributed meaningfully to the development of the banking sector and the broader economy. This will focus on the top 4 Institutions that are categorized in the following tiers. Tier 1 that will cater to commercial banks, Tier 2 for Credit Institutions, Tier 3 that will cater for Microfinance Institutions and finally Tier IV (SACCO’s). | |
Data Information · Annual Report 2025 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Financial Indicators; · % growth in assets · % growth in net profit · % NPA ratios · Return in assets. | 40 |
Staff Indication · % retention · Wellness program i.e. participation in wellness and rating of the wellness program · Training budget achieved | 20 |
Financial Inclusion
| 10 |
Bank of Uganda Rating | 20 |
Aggregates from all other categories. | 10 |
Total | 100% |
Outstanding Digital Innovation of the Year – (Tier I, II, III, IV)
Award Description: The Digital Innovation Award is a prestigious recognition presented to a financial institution that has developed and implemented a groundbreaking digital solution in the current year and / or has substantially increased its digital solutions and usage. This award honors a bank whose innovation has significantly expanded its reach and enhanced financial inclusion across the country. | |
Data Information · Annual Report 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
List of digital platforms & and no. of customers using them. | 50 |
Number of products & services on the digital platform. | 20 |
Income attributable to digital platforms. | 10 |
Number of key digital initiatives underway | 5 |
Aggregates from all other categories. | 5 |
Total | 100% |
Best Customer Experience Award – (Tier I, II, III, IV)
Award Description: This recognizes companies or organizations that demonstrate excellence in customer service, innovative strategies, and measurable improvements in customer satisfaction. It’s credible validation that your brand puts people first and consistently delivers. This recognition reinforces your reputation for excellence and shows that your business stands out in creating exceptional experiences. The focus will be around Best Customer Retail (Online) and Best Customer Retail (Physical). | |
Data Information · Annual Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Customer Satisfaction & Feedback. · Consistently high customer satisfaction scores. (Average 2025 & 2026) · Turnaround time for response to customer quires. | 40 |
Service Accessibility. · Availability/ uptime and ease of access to banking services across channels (branches, online, mobile, call centers). · Multilingual and culturally sensitive support on different channels. | 30 |
Digital Experience & Innovation. · Intuitive, user-friendly digital platforms (web/mobile apps). · Use of AI, chatbots, or automation to improve service delivery. · Seamless omnichannel experience (transitioning between channels without disruption). | 30 |
Total | 100% |
ESG Excellence Award
Award Description: The award is a recognition given to Institutions that demonstrate exceptional performance, commitment, and impact in the areas of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) with a close focus on the E. The awards highlight leadership in sustainability, ethical practices, and responsible corporate behavior that contribute positively to society and the environment. | |
Data Information · Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Presence of ESG strategy and framework. | 20 |
Implementation of ESG framework. | 20 |
Initiatives that improve the Internal & external capacity to implement ESG. | 20 |
List no. of environmental actives and their impact | 20 |
List no. of social activities and their impact | 10 |
List no. of governance and their impact Turnaround time for response to customer quires. | 10 |
Total | 100% |
Fintech Partnership of the Award.
Award Description: The Fintech Partnership of the Year Award is a distinguished recognition celebrating outstanding collaboration between a financial institution and a technology partner. As technology continues to be a powerful accelerator of innovation, this award encourages the adoption of cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance customer experience, drive operational efficiency, and expand financial access. It honors partnerships that exemplify innovation, agility, and strategic alignment in delivering greater value to customers and the broader financial ecosystem. | |
Data Information · Annual Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Evidence of Local Fintech partnership. | 20 |
Scale and impact of the solution developed. | 20 |
Uniqueness and innovation of the solution. | 20 |
Customer Experience Enhancement. | 20 |
Regulatory Compliance and Security. | 20 |
Total | 100% |
Best Bank in Agricultural Financing
Award Description. Recognizes a bank that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and impact in financing the agricultural sector through accessible and innovative financial solutions that support farmers, agribusinesses, value-chain development, and sustainable agricultural growth. DATA INFORMATION: · Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
The overall size of the agriculture finance loan book in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of the agricultural loan book between 2024 & 2025 | 15 |
No. of Agricultural Loan Accounts in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of agricultural loan accounts between 2024 & 2025. | 15 |
The average value per client of last year’s agriculture finance loan book | 10 |
The quality of the loan book | 10 |
The diverse types of agricultural assets financed. | 10 |
The level of innovation of agriculture Finance products offered | 20 |
Total | 100% |
Best Bank in Mortgage Finance
AWARD DESCRIPTION. Recognizes a bank that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting home ownership and housing development through accessible, affordable, innovative, and customer focused mortgage financing solutions. DATA INFORMATION: · Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
The overall size of the mortgage finance loan book in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of the mortgage loan book between 2024 & 2025 | 15 |
No. of mortgage Loan Accounts in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of mortgage loan accounts between 2024 & 2025. | 15 |
The average value per client of last year’s mortgage finance loan book | 10 |
The quality of the loan book | 10 |
The diverse types of mortgage assets financed. | 10 |
The level of innovation of mortgage Finance products offered | 20 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Best Bank in Asset Financing
AWARD DESCRIPTION. Recognizes a bank that has demonstrated outstanding performance and commitment to supporting individuals and businesses to acquire productive assets through accessible, innovative, and customer-focused financing solutions. DATA INFORMATION: · Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
The overall size of the asset finance loan book in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of the asset loan book between 2024 & 2025 | 15 |
No. of asset Loan Accounts in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of asset loan accounts between 2024 & 2025. | 15 |
The average value per client of last year’s asset finance loan book | 10 |
The quality of the loan book | 10 |
The diverse types of asset assets financed. | 10 |
The level of innovation of asset Finance products offered | 20 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Best Bank in Trade Finance
AWARD DESCRIPTION. Recognizes a bank that has demonstrated outstanding performance and commitment to supporting individuals and businesses to acquire productive assets through accessible, innovative, and customer-focused financing solutions. DATA INFORMATION: · Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
The overall size of the asset finance loan book in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of the asset loan book between 2024 & 2025 | 15 |
No. of asset Loan Accounts in Dec 2025 | 10 |
%age growth of asset loan accounts between 2024 & 2025. | 15 |
The average value per client of last year’s asset finance loan book | 10 |
The quality of the loan book | 10 |
The diverse types of asset assets financed. | 10 |
The level of innovation of asset Finance products offered | 20 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Best Bank in Corporate Banking
AWARD DESCRIPTION. Recognizes a bank that has demonstrated outstanding excellence in serving corporate and institutional clients through innovative, responsive, and tailored financial solutions that support business growth and long-term value creation. DATA INFORMATION: Reports 2025& 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
No. of Corporate Customers | 10 |
%age growth in corporate customers | 20 |
Corporate Loan Portfolio size | 10 |
%age growth in the corporate loan size | 20 |
Average corporate loan size per customer | 10 |
No. of Corporate Product /solutions | 10 |
Technology application geared towards serving the corporate customers | 10 |
No. of New Corporate Innovations developed in 2025 | 10 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Financial Crime prevention Award
AWARD DESCRIPTION. Recognises a bank that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and effectiveness in preventing, detecting, and responding to financial crime, including fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions violations, and other emerging financial crime threats. DATA INFORMATION: Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Existence and effectiveness of internal anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CTF), and fraud prevention policies | 20 |
Regular updates to policies in line with evolving regulatory requirements. | 20 |
Demonstrated adherence to local and international compliance standards (e.g. FATF, Basel, AML/CFT laws). | 20 |
Implementation of technology-driven solutions such as AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics to detect suspicious activity | 10 |
Robust internal risk assessment processes and strong internal control mechanisms and independent audit systems. | 10 |
Frequency and quality of financial crime prevention training for staff. | 10 |
Incident detection, response and recovery | 10 |
Total | 100% |
Best Bank in Product Innovation & Marketing
Award Description: This award is intended to recognize an institution that has demonstrated excellence in developing and successfully brought innovative solutions/ products to the market that deliver measurable customer value, enhance accessibility and usability, leverage technology and generate significant market impact. The award considers both strength of the innovation and effectiveness with which it has been positioned, adopted and sustained in the market. | |
Data Information
· Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Product innovation & Differentiation. This will focus on uniqueness, creativity, research and ability to redefine the market. | 20 |
Customer Value & Satisfaction. Tangible value delivered to customers | 20 |
Market adoption & Business impact. No. Of Users, Transaction volumes, revenue generated etc. | 25 |
Use of Technology as an enabler and accelerator. i.e. Delivery, customer experience | 10 |
Market, Distribution & Promotion. Focusing on pricing, distribution, promotion and overall penetration. | 20 |
Scalability and Product sustainability. Continued growth and long-term relevance. | 5 |
Sub -Total |
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Total | 100% |
SME Bank of the Year
AWARD DESCRIPTION. Recognizes a bank that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through accessible, innovative, and tailored financial solutions. DATA INFORMATION: Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
No. of SME Customers | 10 |
%age growth in SME customers | 20 |
SME Loan Portfolio size | 10 |
%age growth in the SME loan size | 20 |
Average SME loan size per customer | 10 |
No. of SME Product /solutions | 10 |
Technology application geared towards serving the corporate customers | 10 |
No. of New SME Innovations developed in 2025 | 10 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Bancassurance Excellence Award
Award Description: The Award recognizes the institution/Bank that has demonstrated an outstanding performance throughout the year of assessment, innovation is delivering the solution to the market, customer reach, and growth in the delivery of bancassurance services. | |
Data Information · Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Growth in Bancassurance portfolio and revenue | 25 |
Number of customers | 20 |
Innovation in bancassurance products/ services. | 20 |
Customer Experience and Claims/Service efficiency | 15 |
Strategic partnerships and Distribution channels | 10 |
Compliance, Governance and risk management | 10 |
Total | 100% |
Cyber Security Partner Award
Award Description: The Award recognizes a technology or cybersecurity service provider that has demonstrated exceptional capability in supporting the banking infrastructure to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from cyber threats, while strengthening the overall security and resilience of their Internal systems and operations. | |
Data Information
· Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
Demonstrated ability to protect banking systems, infrastructure, data, and customers from cyber threats. | 25 |
Ability to identify emerging threats quickly and provide effective incident response and recovery support. |
20 |
Use of advanced technologies, threat intelligence, AI, automation, and other solutions to strengthen cybersecurity. | 15 |
Demonstrable improvements in the cybersecurity posture and resilience of supported financial institutions. | 10 |
Quality, availability, responsiveness, and effectiveness of support provided to banking clients. | 10 |
Compliance & Industry Standards. Adherence to relevant cybersecurity regulations, standards, certifications, and best practices. | 10 |
Total | 100% |
Fastest Growing Non-Deposit Taking Credit Provider of the Year/ Fastest Growing SACCO of the Year
Award Description: The Award recognizes an Institution that has achieved the most significant and sustainable growth in its portfolio, customer base, revenue, and market reach. | |
Data Information · Annual Reports 2025 & 2026 | |
Judging Criteria | Max. Score |
% age Growth in loan/credit portfolio | 30 |
% age Growth in customer base | 20 |
% age Revenue growth | 10 |
Profitability growth | 10 |
Geographic/market expansion | 10 |
Product and digital innovation | 10 |
Sustainability of growth and portfolio quality | 10 |
Total | 100% |
