Stanbic Uganda’s Mona Ssebuliba Receives Uganda’s Diamond Jubilee Medal at Labour Day Ceremony
Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited board director Mona Muguma Ssebuliba has been awarded the National Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal, a state honour recognising contributions to Uganda’s development, during this year’s Labour Day celebrations.
The award places Mona Ssebuliba among individuals recognised for their role in advancing the country’s socio-economic agenda, with a focus on agriculture, a sector that remains central to Uganda’s economy.
Ssebuliba has worked across agribusiness finance initiatives, including her involvement with aBi Finance, where she has supported access to funding for agricultural enterprises and value chains.
Her work has centred on expanding credit to farmers and agribusinesses, an area that policymakers and lenders have identified as key to improving productivity and rural incomes.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. It reflects the collective effort behind aBi Finance and the commitment of our shareholders, partners, financial institutions, and the entire team working to drive impact across Uganda’s agribusiness sector,” Ssebuliba said.
“We remain committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive future for agriculture in Uganda.”
Agriculture accounts for a large share of employment in Uganda, but access to financing remains constrained, particularly for smallholder farmers. Development finance institutions and commercial lenders have increased focus on blended finance structures and risk-sharing mechanisms to expand lending into the sector.
Francis Karuhanga, Chief Executive of Stanbic Uganda Holdings, said the recognition highlights the role of agribusiness financing in the country’s growth.
“We warmly congratulate Director Mona on this well-deserved national recognition. Her contribution to Uganda’s agribusiness sector continues to create meaningful and lasting impact,” Karuhanga said.
“Her leadership and insight greatly enrich our Board, and strongly complement our focus on empowering women, youth and farmers as key drivers of Uganda’s growth,” he added.
Board Chairman Baker Magunda said the award reflects Ssebuliba’s role in advancing development priorities.
“On behalf of the entire Board, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Director Mona on this distinguished honour. This recognition is a testament to her dedication, leadership, and commitment to Uganda’s development. We are proud to serve alongside her and celebrate this achievement together as a Board,” he said.
The recognition comes as financial institutions in East Africa increase efforts to channel capital into agriculture, with a growing emphasis on sustainability, value-chain financing and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Uganda’s government has prioritised agriculture as a driver of industrialisation and export growth, with private sector participation, particularly through financial intermediaries, seen as central to closing funding gaps in the sector.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.
