On Tuesday, 30th September, our Bank joined the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development  to commemorate the International Day for Older Persons 2025, under the theme “Enhanced Household Income: A Key to Dignity and Respect for Older Persons.”

This theme resonates deeply with Centenary Bank’s vision of being a trusted partner in transforming lives through financial inclusion, empowerment and community support.

Older people are the custodians of wisdom, culture, and the values that define our society. Yet some, particularly the vulnerable, face challenges accessing decent shelter, social protection, and other necessities.

As a Bank that serves over 3 million customers across Uganda, the majority of whom are in rural communities, we understand the importance of safeguarding the dignity of every Ugandan, regardless of age.

We thank the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development for trusting Centenary Bank by entrusting us as the financial institution supporting the SAGE program since 2022. Over 300,000 elderly persons from the 146 districts in Uganda have benefited from this project, with over 80 billion Uganda Shillings being paid out annually. We have adopted biometric enrollment, digital payment tracking and beneficiary education to improve service efficiency and reduce payment risks during account opening, enrollment and payment.

When the Ministry invited us to participate in these celebrations, we saw an opportunity to put our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment into action by supporting the people whose sacrifices laid the foundation for our country’s progress.

Our contribution is part of Centenary Bank’s broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda. For over 40 years, the Bank has worked to transform lives through financial services and initiatives that uplift communities.

The bank dedicates 2% of the previous year’s profit to corporate social investment in health, education, waste management, environmental conservation, and other community initiatives on this foundation.

In collaboration with the Ministry, the Bank constructed two modest homes for selected elderly beneficiaries in Jinja City (Budondo Division) this year. The Ministry identified and prioritized these houses as part of preparations for the International Day for Older Persons celebrations.

The initiative is fully bank-funded and reflects our broader vision of extending social protection beyond cash payments by ensuring that older persons live in dignity and safety.

In addition to the housing projects, the Bank provided 50 mattresses with protective covers to distribute to vulnerable elderly persons within Jinja.