KAMPALA, Uganda — Stanbic Bank has committed to providing specialized financing and internship opportunities to help university students and recent graduates transition into the professional workforce.
Israel Arinaitwe, Stanbic Bank head of personal banking, announced the commitment during the final day of the Makerere Career Expo 2026 on March 13. Arinaitwe said the bank has established partnerships with its corporate clients to create internship pathways, responding to student requests for practical experience before graduation.
Banks will finance a good business idea, Arinaitwe said. What we are doing is to give you different financing for different businesses to ensure that your idea can easily be commercialized.
The bank is also utilizing the Stanbic Business Incubator to provide young entrepreneurs with on-site experience and the technical skills necessary to run a business. Arinaitwe noted that while classroom learning is vital, the incubator ensures graduates have the hands-on training required for the unique challenges of the Ugandan market.
The expo, held under the theme Connecting Potential to Purpose: Partnerships for Sustainable Impact, is a nationwide initiative supported by the MasterCard Foundation and NSSF. The program is scheduled to reach 14 universities and tertiary institutions by April 21.
Beyond financial support, the bank has appointed a dedicated head of youth to oversee initiatives that cater specifically to the needs of the more than 25,000 students who graduate annually in Uganda.
Paul Rumanda, head of human resources at the Infectious Diseases Institute, told students that sustainable impact occurs when potential is bridged with purpose. He emphasized that employers increasingly look for candidates whose personal missions align with organizational goals.
Regarding the rise of automation, Fred Percy Kisa of NSSF told attendees that the future of work relies on a human-plus-machine approach. He encouraged students to use artificial intelligence as a tool to improve research and productivity.
The annual fair brought together 50 employers and industry experts to provide mentorship and career development resources, including workshops on professional networking and navigating the digital workspace.
