Housing Finance Bank Expands Financial Inclusion Drive in Hoima

What the report says

Housing Finance Bank held a customer and stakeholder engagement forum in Hoima to better understand local financial needs and widen access to banking services as business activity grows across the Bunyoro sub-region, according to Nile Post. The event brought together bank officials, branch staff, customers and community stakeholders, with Omuhikirwa Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom, attending as guest of honour.

The bank said its Hoima branch, opened in 2023, has been shaped by customer feedback. Ivan Kituka, who heads distribution and alternative channels, said the bank originally focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, but later expanded to serve micro businesses and people undertaking incremental home construction. He said this led to the creation of a dedicated Micro Banking section and broader outreach efforts, including local hiring and a larger micro banking team.

The forum also highlighted services for farmers and digital banking options, while customers were encouraged to use the bank’s complaints channels and even become agents to extend services closer to their communities. Representatives from the Bunyoro Kingdom urged more affordable financing, especially for agriculture, land access and housing, citing the region’s economic potential in farming, coffee, housing and enterprise.

Nile Post reported that the meeting ended with Housing Finance Bank promising to review the issues raised and continue supporting customers through housing, microfinance, SME lending, agricultural finance and other products. The exchange underscored the growing role of formal banking in a region where local leaders say economic opportunities are expanding.