Absa Bank Uganda has brought together financial sector leaders, regulators, and technology players for a landmark dialogue on data privacy, urging institutions to treat information protection as a pillar of customer confidence and brand equity.
The high-level engagement, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala, convened representatives from banks, insurance firms, fintech’s, and the Personal Data Protection Office. Discussions were anchored on the theme “Data Privacy as a Driver of Customer Trust and Brand Equity.”
Opening the dialogue, Absa Uganda’s Managing Director, David Wandera, stressed that safeguarding customer information is no longer a box-ticking exercise for compliance but a critical business priority.
“Data privacy is the new currency of trust. Institutions that embed it into their operations will enjoy stronger relationships with customers and a lasting reputation for integrity,” Wandera noted.
Supporting this call, Ruth Kagabane, Absa’s Director of Compliance, explained that the bank views privacy as central to risk management and growth in the digital economy. She urged peer institutions to embed privacy-by-design approaches across systems and partnerships.
The dialogue also featured regulators. Sophia Kironde, Executive Director for Supervision at the Bank of Uganda, highlighted that while compliance demands investment, the cost of neglect ranging from reputational damage to financial penalties is far greater.
“Protecting customer data is not optional. It is a responsibility that defines resilience and trust in the financial system,” Kironde said.
Participants explored practical measures including oversight of third-party data handlers, handling cross-border transfers, and building institutional cultures that respect consumer rights in the digital space.
By convening the dialogue, Absa Uganda positioned itself as a sector leader in shaping a collective approach to privacy at a time when cyber threats and digital transactions are on the rise. The bank affirmed that only through collaboration can the industry safeguard customers and preserve confidence in financial services.