Centenary Bank has given 86 million Ugandan shillings (about $23,000) to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to help fund this year’s Kampala City Festival and the authority’s “Weyonje” waste management drive.
Of the donation, 50 million shillings will go towards the festival, which takes place on 5 October, while 36 million shillings will support efforts to improve waste collection and disposal in the city.
Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe, the bank’s executive director, said the contribution was part of the institution’s commitment to the city.
“As a bank, we are proud to celebrate with Kampala, its culture, innovation, and sustainability,” he said. “Through this contribution, we hope to contribute to the city’s symbol of unity, creative expression, and economic development as the city looks toward the future.”
The Kampala City Festival is one of the capital’s biggest annual events, drawing large crowds with performances, food, art, and cultural exhibitions. Centenary Bank is returning as a sponsor for the first time in eight years.
Balikuddembe noted that waste management remains central to building a thriving urban economy.
“We recognize that a thriving city is key to economic growth, and addressing challenges like waste management is central to creating an environment where businesses and people can prosper,” he said.
Waste remains a pressing issue in Uganda. According to the Auditor General’s 2023–24 report, only 37% of the more than four million metric tons of solid waste produced nationally over the past three years was collected. Cities managed just over a third of their waste, while municipalities collected about half.
KCCA’s executive director, Sharifah Buzeki, welcomed the donation, stressing the importance of partnerships between public institutions and private companies.
“Kampala belongs to all of us and keeping it vibrant, clean, and inclusive requires collective effort,” she said. “We thank Centenary Bank for demonstrating leadership in corporate citizenship through this generous contribution.”
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Centenary Bank has operated in Uganda’s capital for more than four decades. Each year, it allocates two percent of its profits to social projects in areas such as education, health, and environmental protection.
The bank has also invested in renewable energy for its branches, supported tree-planting programmes, and provided waste bins to help improve the city’s cleanliness.
