By Mulengera Reporters
Beneficiaries of the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) have praised Equity Bank Uganda for transforming their mindset, leadership ambitions and career outlook following a mentorship and leadership training conducted under the bank’s flagship scholars’ initiative.
The reactions from the students were captured in a two-minute and 18-second video produced after the training session and later uploaded on the Equity Bank Uganda YouTube Channel where scholars shared how the program had inspired them to dream bigger, embrace leadership and pursue purposeful careers.
The training came shortly after Equity Bank Uganda commissioned 100 top-performing students into the Equity Leaders Program while also celebrating the graduation of 81 students from the pioneer 2022 cohort during a ceremony held in Kampala.
The Equity Leaders Program, implemented under the Equity Group Foundation, was launched in Uganda in January 2022 and has since grown into one of the country’s notable private-sector education and leadership development initiatives. The program provides mentorship, leadership training, paid internships and university application support to academically outstanding students.
In a video, speaking during the training session, Claver Serumaga, Executive Director Equity Bank Uganda, challenged the scholars to begin working on themselves immediately, emphasizing that they were not merely future leaders but already part of the present generation expected to take charge and lead.
Serumaga encouraged the students to learn from the experiences and journeys of other people, remain curious and embrace mistakes as part of personal growth and leadership development. He noted that leadership begins with personal transformation and deliberate effort toward self-improvement.
Clare Tumwesigye, Head Marketing and Corporate Communication Equity Bank Uganda, urged the scholars to remain intentional about integrity, consistency and purpose, saying those values are critical in shaping successful leadership.
Tumwesigye told the students that leadership is built on discipline and personal values, adding that integrity and consistency could either make or break an individual’s journey. She encouraged the scholars to remain focused on their purpose as they progress in their academic and professional lives.
Richard Muraguri, Head Finance and Administration Equity Bank Uganda, encouraged the scholars to identify opportunities that align with both their passions and abilities.
Muraguri advised the students to always attempt new opportunities rather than fear failure, noting that trying and failing was better than never trying at all. He encouraged them to take bold steps toward achieving their dreams and ambitions.
Joachim Otim, Head Operations Equity Bank Uganda, challenged the scholars to set ambitious goals and avoid limiting themselves.
Otim encouraged them to pursue what may seem impossible, emphasizing that nothing is unattainable once an individual fully commits their mind to achieving it. He urged the students to think beyond ordinary expectations and strive to conquer bigger opportunities in life.
For many of the beneficiaries, the training became a life-changing experience that reshaped their understanding of leadership, self-development and the role of financial institutions in society.
Victor Ssenfuka, ELP Scholar Cohort 5, described the Equity Leaders Program as an exciting experience, particularly because of the interactions with senior officials from Equity Bank Uganda.
Ssenfuka said one of the highlights for him was the presentation by Clare Tumwesigye, Head Marketing and Corporate Communication Equity Bank Uganda which focused on leadership and self-development. He added that the session inspired him so much that he sought a one-on-one interaction with her after the discussion.
Another participant, Joana Aloyi, ELP Scholar Cohort 5, said the program had changed her perception of banking and financial institutions.
Aloyi explained that while growing up, she believed banks were institutions mainly responsible for keeping money and issuing loans. However, through the training, she came to understand that banks also play a major role in transforming lives, restoring dignity and empowering communities through wealth creation initiatives.
The latest intake of scholars was selected based on exceptional performance in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations and will now begin a structured leadership and mentorship journey under the program.
Since its launch four years ago, a total of 512 scholars have passed through the initiative in Uganda. The program currently operates in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Scholars admitted into the program undertake a three-to-six-month paid internship at Equity Bank Uganda, where they gain practical experience across different departments while receiving a monthly stipend. Participants also undergo a two-month college counseling program that supports university applications, essay writing and preparation for international examinations.
According to the Equity Group Foundation, several former scholars have secured fully funded scholarships to internationally recognized institutions, including Harvard University, New York University, University of Waterloo and the Moscow Aviation Institute.
The initiative forms part of the foundation’s broader mission to drive socio-economic transformation through education, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, technology and health programs across Africa.
For the scholars who attended the latest training, however, the biggest takeaway was not only academic opportunity but also the confidence, mentorship and inspiration needed to become transformational leaders capable of making a difference in their communities and beyond. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
