Category Archives: Business Ideas

Opportunity Bank Runs For A Greener Uganda: Supporting Tree Planting In Schools Nationwide

Kampala, Uganda – Sunday, August 10, 2025 – As Opportunity Bank Uganda marks 30 years of service, it celebrates this milestone with its annual charity run held this morning at the Bank’s Head Office in Kamwokya, with participants conquering both 10km and 5km routes. Held under the inspiring theme, “Planting Hope, Growing Change, Greening the Future,” the event reaffirmed the Bank’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and social impact—core pillars of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. The Opportunity Bank Run is more than just a fitness event—it’s a nationwide movement uniting the community to raise awareness about climate change, promote environmental conservation, and support reforestation efforts across Uganda.

Greening Uganda’s Future: A Growing Legacy

Since May 2024, Opportunity Bank has been at the forefront of environmental action. In partnership with the Lukango Tree Conservancy (LuTreeCo), the Bank launched a ground-breaking national school greening initiative to plant indigenous trees and cultivate environmental stewardship among Uganda’s youth. This has enhanced environmental awareness among students and improved school landscapes through the planting of indigenous trees.

Key Achievements to Date:

• Over 3,000trees planted across 66 targeted schools
• 3,000+ students directly involved in tree-planting activities
• Schools reached all over the 4 regions of Uganda

From flood-prone Soroti to drought-affected Kikuube, the initiative has successfully tackled diverse ecological challenges while promoting biodiversity and climate resilience in school environments.

Empowering Uganda’s Future Environmental Stewards;

Owen Amanya – Chief Executive Officer, Opportunity Bank Uganda

“The trees we’re planting today are more than just saplings—they are seeds of hope, symbols of resilience, and commitments to lasting change. They embody this year’s powerful theme: Planting Hope, Growing Change, Greening the Future.

At Opportunity Bank Uganda, we believe that sustainability begins at the roots—in our schools, where we also proudly support access to quality education through our School Improvement Financing Program, in our youth who will inherit this planet, and in the choices, we make every day as individuals and as institutions.

The Opportunity Bank Run is more than a fitness event. It is a national movement—a call to action for every Ugandan to take part in protecting our environment while building healthier, more resilient communities.

The urgency is clear: Uganda loses an estimated 90,000 hectares of forest every year, and our national forest cover has declined from 24% in 1990 to just 9.5% today. This is not just a loss of trees—it’s a threat to our biodiversity, water security, and climate stability.

But we are not powerless. Each tree we plant can absorb up to 22 kilograms of CO₂ per year, restore degraded landscapes, and support hundreds of species. Through our reforestation efforts—driven in partnership with the Lukango Tree Conservancy—we are working to reverse this trend: one tree, one school, one community at a time.

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to every student who planted a seedling, every teacher who led by example, every runner who showed up, and our sponsors & partners who believed in this cause—thank you. You are all part of this growing movement.

Together, let us continue to run with purpose, plant with intention, and grow a future we can be proud of.

One tree. One child. One future. That’s the promise of Opportunity Bank Uganda.”

Proceeds and awareness raised through the Opportunity Bank Run directly support ongoing initiatives, including the expansion of the school greening program and broader community-led conservation efforts.

Opportunity Bank Uganda extends heartfelt appreciation to all runners, families, schools, and corporate partners who participated in this transformative event. Whether you ran, walked, or cheered, your involvement helps plant hope, grow change, and green the future of Uganda.

Opportunity Bank and Turaco Partner to Embed Health Insurance into Savings Accounts with ‘Opportunity Sanyu’

Affordable microinsurance now available to Ugandan saversprotecting families from medical and burial expenses.

KAMPALA, 5th June 2025 – Opportunity Bank Uganda, in partnership with Turaco Microinsurance, has launched Opportunity Sanyu an affordable health and life insurance product now embedded directly into Opportunity Bank’s savings accounts. The product is designed to protect Ugandan families from the financial stress of hospital visits and bereavement without the hassle of traditional insurance sign-ups.

The product name ‘Sanyu’, which means “joy” in Luganda, represents the peace of mind that comes when a family’s savings are protected even during life’s hardest moments.

A New Chapter for Financial Protection in Uganda

Over 60% of Ugandans rely on savings or borrowing to pay for healthcare, often derailing long-term plans like school fees or business investments. Opportunity Sanyu tackles this head-on by making microinsurance accessible, automatic, and truly affordable, starting at just UGX 2,000 per month.

What Customers Get:

• Hospital Cash Benefit: UGX 200,000 to UGX 1 million per year
• Funeral Cover: UGX 500,000 to UGX 2 million
• Effortless Access: Embedded into savings accounts, just give consent & the cover activates
• Hassle-Free: Premiums deducted automatically, no paperwork or separate sign-ups

“Our customers’ savings are their future,” said Owen Amanya, CEO of Opportunity Bank Uganda. “But one health emergency can take it all away. With Opportunity Sanyu, we’re helping our customers stay on track and build resilience through banking that truly protects.”

Fast Claims. Real Relief.

Turaco’s tech-driven systems ensure fast, paper-light claims, making insurance truly work when it’s needed most. Similawo Resty, a Turaco customer, shared: “When I was admitted to the hospital, I feared for my health and how I’d pay. Turaco came through for me. I could settle my bill and repay those who helped. I’m so grateful.”

“Opportunity Sanyu is what inclusive insurance should look like embedded, simple, and ready when emergencies arise,” said Cedrick Todwell, Director of Business Development at Turaco. “Together with Opportunity Bank, we’re bringing dignity and financial stability to households across Uganda.”

Since 2019, Turaco has partnered with banks, fintechs, and mobile operators to insure over 4 million people across Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana with more than 1 million lives covered in Uganda alone.

Opportunity Sanyu is now available to Opportunity Bank customers nationwide. Anyone with a deposit account can visit their nearest branch to activate coverage and join the movement towards secure, protected savings.

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A Night of Triumph! Opportunity Bank Shines at Bank of Uganda’s ACF Awards, Taking Home 9 Prestigious Honours

It was a night to remember! With immense pride and excitement, Opportunity Bank Uganda is thrilled to celebrate an extraordinary milestone—scooping 9 out of 16 major awards at the highly anticipated Bank of Uganda Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) Awards, held last evening at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

The event marked 15 years of the transformative ACF loan scheme, which has powered Uganda’s agricultural finance landscape. The awards recognized financial institutions that have gone above and beyond in accelerating economic development through innovative and inclusive agricultural lending.

And the big winner? Opportunity Bank.

From the start, Opportunity Bank stood out—proving once again that commitment to underserved communities and bold leadership in financial innovation can drive real, lasting impact. This victory isn’t just a celebration of past efforts; it’s a powerful declaration of what’s possible when purpose meets performance.

A CLEAN SWEEP OF AWARDS – HERE IS WHAT WE WON: