KCB Bank Uganda has emphasized that affordable financing is essential to strengthening agribusinesses, securing food supplies, and creating sustainable employment across the country. Speaking at the Public-Private Sector Round Table Discussion on Food Security and Job Creation (October 22–23, 2026), the bank aligned its mission with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who urged stronger public-private partnerships to transform Uganda’s agricultural value chains.
The two-day event, held at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) Namanve Campus, was organized by the African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) Uganda and the SDG Secretariat under the Office of the Prime Minister. This year’s theme focused on “Investing in Resilient Food Systems for Enterprise Growth, Decent Work, Sustainable Livelihoods and Economic Transformation.”
Agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, employing approximately 68% of the country’s total workforce. Despite its scale, regional supply imbalances and market gaps persist.
“Food scarcity exists in some areas, while other areas have plenty,” noted Wensi Niwagaba, Head of SME Business at KCB Bank Uganda, during a panel focused on unlocking finance. “The question is: where is the integration? We need to strengthen the connections between producers, traders, processors, and markets so that food can move efficiently from areas of plenty to areas of scarcity. Financing plays an important role in making that happen.”
Prime Minister Nabbanja echoed this sentiment, calling on financial institutions, producers, and processors to collaborate aggressively. She emphasized that public investments must focus on boosting production, cutting post-harvest losses, expanding storage facilities, and opening up market linkages.
To bridge the funding gap, KCB Bank Uganda leverages several government-backed financing programs administered through the Bank of Uganda to offer competitive lending rates:
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- Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF): Offers a structured 12% annual interest rate for agricultural production and agro-processing investments. Grain-trading facilities can access credit at 15% per annum.
- Small Business Fund: Provides small enterprises with accessible financing at a 10% annual interest rate.
- Female-Led and Made Enterprises (FLME): A targeted proposition offering unsecured financing to eligible women entrepreneurs, bypassing traditional collateral barriers.
The impact of these structured facilities is substantial. By mid-2026, the government’s cumulative ACF disbursements reached UGX 1.35 trillion, benefiting more than 14,000 recipients and accelerating commercial agricultural development.
Licensed and regulated by the Bank of Uganda, KCB Bank Uganda operates a robust national network comprising 16 branches, 21 ATMs, 568 banking agents, and 736 merchant outlets. The institution is dedicated to driving financial efficiency and innovation for individuals, businesses, and public institutions nationwide.
