Stanbic Bank Uganda has injected Sh s50million into Bunyoro University to support the establishment of an ICT innovation hub, becoming the first private sector entity to contribute to the operationalisation of the new institution.
The funding will go towards setting up an ICT Maker Space at the university’s campus in Hoima city, in the Albertine region, to promote innovation, skills development and entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on 26 March 2026, the bank’s chief executive officer, Mumba Kalifungwa, said the contribution reflects Stanbic’s commitment to education as a driver of national development.
He said education accounts for about 70% of the bank’s corporate social investment budget and remains central to its broader development agenda, which also focuses on financial inclusion, job creation, infrastructure development, climate resilience and corporate philanthropy.
The Maker Space is expected to serve as a hub for creativity, practical learning and collaboration, benefiting both students and the wider Bunyoro community.
Kalifungwa said the initiative aligns with the bank’s purpose of driving Uganda’s growth by empowering young people, women and farmers through education, digital skills and innovation.
He said Bunyoro University represents a transformative model, with half of its learning designed to be practical and community-based, enabling graduates to tackle real-world challenges.
The university, which is expected to become fully operational next year, will launch with 18 academic programmes. It has already been accredited by the National Council for Higher Education.
Kalifungwa said the programmes are designed to equip students with industry-relevant skills to boost productivity and technological advancement in the oil-rich region.
He added that the bank has earmarked up to Shs1tn by 2028 to support small and medium-sized enterprises through incubator programmes, expand financial inclusion through digitisation, and invest in education, health and climate initiatives.
Prof Samuel Kyamanywa, chair of the university task force, welcomed the funding, describing it as timely support ahead of the institution’s first intake, expected in October 2027.
He said the Maker Space will play a key role in nurturing innovation and producing graduates with the skills and values needed for socio-economic transformation.
Godwin Angalia, the RDC for Kikuube, said partnerships with the private sector are critical to the success of the university.
He noted that while the government established the institution, it cannot meet all its needs, making private sector support essential.
Angalia said the early investment by Stanbic Bank ensures that students will find key facilities in place when they begin their studies.
He added that the university is a strategic investment aimed at harnessing the region’s oil and natural resources by developing a skilled workforce to support industrial growth.
Over the past decade, the programme has reached more than 600,000 students, supported over 500 schools and helped establish more than 200 student-led businesses, focusing on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and innovation.
