Kampala: SBG Securities, a subsidiary of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL), has called on Uganda’s pensions sector to play a more strategic role in financing the country’s long-term economic transformation, saying the industry’s growing pool of long-term savings can become a powerful catalyst for achieving the government’s ambition of growing the economy tenfold by 2040.
The call was made during the inaugural Stanbic Uganda Pensions Conference, held under the theme, “The Role of the Pensions Sector in Accelerating the Tenfold GDP Growth Strategy.”
The conference also marked the official launch of the SBG Securities Pension Fund Management business, expanding Stanbic Uganda Holdings’ pension services into licensed pension fund management. The event brought together regulators, policymakers, retirement scheme trustees, fund administrators, employers, investment professionals and other key stakeholders to explore how pension assets can be mobilised to finance productive sectors of the economy while delivering sustainable long-term returns for contributors.
Speaking at the conference, Mark Ocitti Ongom, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited, said the launch reflects the Group’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s economic transformation through innovative financial solutions.
“At Stanbic Uganda, our purpose is clear: ‘Uganda is our home; we drive her growth.’ We believe the pensions sector has a unique opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s long-term development by mobilising domestic savings and deploying them into productive investments that stimulate economic activity, create jobs and improve livelihoods,” Ongom said.
He noted that pension funds represent patient capital capable of financing infrastructure, housing, industrialisation and other strategic sectors that are critical to delivering Uganda’s tenfold GDP growth agenda.
“Retirement savings first and foremost provide dignity and financial security for workers after years of service. But when professionally managed and responsibly invested, they also become a powerful engine for national development. At Stanbic Uganda, our Positive Impact Agenda places women, youth and farmers at the centre of economic transformation. They are entrepreneurs, producers, workers and innovators whose success will define Uganda’s future.” He said adding that the expansion of our services into pension fund management positions us to partner more closely with pension schemes, regulators and government to unlock greater value for contributors while supporting national development.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Hon. Simon Mulongo, underscored the importance of strengthening Uganda’s pension ecosystem to improve retirement security while supporting inclusive economic growth. He said government remains committed to expanding pension coverage, particularly among workers in the informal sector, through initiatives such as the National Long-Term Savings Scheme.
“The pensions sector is no longer only about securing people’s retirement. It has become an important pillar for mobilising domestic capital that can finance Uganda’s long-term development priorities. We must continue strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks that encourage greater participation while safeguarding contributors’ savings,” Mulongo said.
The launch of the pension fund management business marks a significant milestone for SBG Securities and Stanbic Uganda Holdings, enabling the Group to provide an integrated suite of pension solutions spanning banking, custody, trustee services, investment advisory and licensed pension fund management.
This event has also flagged off the Stanbic October love month activities geared towards appreciating customers, supporting communities, and also happening in a milestone year when Stanbic is marking 35 years of operation in Uganda under the Standard Bank Group, one Africa’s Largest financial institutions.
Speaking at the launch, Grace Semakula, Chief Executive Officer of SBG Securities Uganda Limited, said the new offering responds to growing demand for professional, transparent and innovative pension fund management services.
“Our objective is to deliver consistent value to retirement schemes through disciplined investment management, strong governance and sound risk management. Pension savings deserve professional stewardship that balances sustainable returns with long-term capital preservation,” Semakula said.
She added that the new business positions SBG Securities to support national initiatives aimed at increasing retirement savings and extending pension coverage to Uganda’s growing informal sector. Paul Muganwa, Executive Director and Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda, said financial institutions have a responsibility to develop solutions that create value for clients while advancing the country’s broader economic aspirations. He noted that this commitment is reflected in Stanbic Uganda’s Positive Impact Agenda, which is anchored on five strategic pillars: financial inclusion, enterprise development and job creation, infrastructure investment, climate resilience, and corporate philanthropy.
“The journey towards a tenfold economy will require significant pools of long-term investment capital. Pension funds provide one of the most reliable sources of that capital, and through strong partnerships between government, regulators and the private sector, we can channel these resources into sectors that generate sustainable economic growth while protecting the interests of pension contributors,” Muganwa said.
He added that Stanbic Bank’s expertise across corporate banking, investment banking, custody services and capital markets uniquely positions the Group to provide integrated financial solutions for pension schemes and institutional investors. Over the years, SBG Securities has steadily expanded its investment offering from traditional securities to include Uganda Shilling and US Dollar Unit Trusts, and now licensed pension fund management.
Through this expanded offering, Stanbic Uganda Holdings aims to deepen financial inclusion, strengthen Uganda’s long-term savings culture, mobilise domestic capital for national development and support the Government’s ambition of building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive economy.
