Centenary Bank Strengthens Partnership with Chinese Business Community at Annual Chinese Clients’ Dinner

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reported that Centenary Bank used its annual Chinese Clients’ Dinner in Kampala on 23 July 2026 to reaffirm its focus on serving Chinese-owned businesses operating in Uganda. The event brought together Chinese entrepreneurs, business leaders, representatives from partners including the Sino-Uganda Security Centre, and Centenary Bank executives to discuss business needs and areas for collaboration.

According to the report, the bank has been expanding products tailored to Chinese clients, including lower account transaction charges, preferential pricing for telegraphic transfers, competitive foreign exchange services through its Treasury team, and Corporate Internet Banking. It also pointed to dedicated relationship managers, guarantees, letters of credit, cash-in-transit services, import financing, deposit-rate options and support for regional and international trade. The bank’s addition of the Japanese yen as a trading currency was presented as another tool for clients involved in cross-border commerce.

Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe, Centenary Bank’s Executive Director for Business, said at the dinner that Chinese enterprises are important to Uganda’s development through investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, trade and employment. The bank said it had gained new Chinese business customers over the past year, which it linked to rising confidence in its services.

The development matters because China is widely regarded as one of Uganda’s major trade and investment partners, with Chinese firms active in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure and commerce. Watchdog Uganda framed the engagement as part of Centenary Bank’s effort to position itself as a banking partner for businesses expanding within Uganda and across international markets.