NCBA Bank Uganda has urged the Muslim community to embrace restraint, patience and prudent financial management as it hosted an Iftar dinner to mark the holy month of Ramadan, underscoring the institution’s role in promoting values-driven banking and inclusive economic growth.

The event, held in Kampala, drew Muslim leaders, customers, business partners, corporate executives and community representatives from urban and rural settings.

Speaking at the dinner, NCBA Uganda Chief Executive Officer Mark Muyobo said the event demonstrated the strong bonds that links the bank to faith communities, institutions and commerce in Uganda.

“Ramadan is a sacred period marked by fasting, prayer, reflection and charity. The discipline of abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset mirrors virtues that are essential in financial life, restraint, patience and intentional living,” Muyobo said.

He drew a direct parallel between spiritual discipline and money management, saying planning ahead, avoiding waste, managing debt responsibly and protecting resources for the future are foundational to sustainable prosperity. “Self-control in personal conduct is comparable to discipline in managing money, investing wisely and building resilient enterprises,” he said.

Muyobo emphasised that NCBA sees banking as stewardship rather than mere custody of funds. He said the bank’s role is to safeguard deposits while also enabling growth through financing, advisory services and capacity building. “Our responsibility goes beyond safeguarding deposits, to enabling growth and supporting sustainable prosperity for individuals, families and communities,” he added.

Generosity, a key pillar of Ramadan practice, formed a central theme of the evening. Muyobo cited the example of Prophet Muhammad and the twin practices of obligatory Zakat and voluntary giving, saying charitable acts promote social justice and shared prosperity. He argued that modern financial systems complement this ethic by empowering entrepreneurs, facilitating home ownership, and creating pathways to economic resilience.

He occasion to reiterate the bank’s strategic emphasis on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which he identified as engines of employment, innovation and grassroots development. He outlined tailored lending solutions such as working capital facilities, asset financing, trade finance and structured growth credit, targeting agriculture, manufacturing, trade, professional services and start-ups. In addition to credit, he said the bank offers advisory support, mentorship, digital banking platforms and financial literacy initiatives aimed at strengthening sustainability and resilience among entrepreneurs.

He pointed to recent efforts to expand outreach through mobile and internet banking, farmer-centric financing schemes, and SME capacity-building. While he did not disclose figures, he emphasised that a combination of affordable finance, technology and training is central to the bank’s inclusive growth agenda.

Muslim leaders present at the dinner welcomed the initiative, praising the bank for engaging faith communities during a sacred period. They said such events help bridge private sector activity with social priorities, and reinforce the role of ethical business in national development. Several community representatives noted that financial institutions that combine outreach with concrete support contribute to trust-building and social capital.

The Iftar dinner also served as a public reminder of Uganda’s tradition of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, with guests joining in prayers and sharing the evening meal.

Muyobo said NCBA will continue to engage communities through targeted financial products and capacity-building efforts, maintaining that financial stewardship and social responsibility are inseparable, and that ethical banking can support both faith-inspired values and the country’s socioeconomic ambitions.

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About NCBA Bank Uganda

NCBA Bank Uganda Limited is a subsidiary of NCBA Group PLC, East Africa’s third-largest bank with an asset base of UGX 960 Billion and a strong liquidity profile. Formed from NIC and CBA Banks in 2020, NCBA combines extensive corporate and retail banking experience with leading innovations, offering products from mobile banking, asset finance to tailored investment solutions. Focused on relationship management and customer success, NCBA empowers clients to achieve financial goals while supporting regional economic growth.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Edgar Tusiime

Head, Marketing, Communications & Citizenship

Email: Edgar.Tusiime@ncbagroup.com |Website: https://ncbagroup.com/ug