Stanbic expands access to unsecured loans with revamped ‘Oli in Charge’ campaign

What the report says

Stanbic Bank Uganda has relaunched its “Oli in Charge” campaign with a broader push to expand unsecured lending for households, small businesses and farmers, according to Watchdog Uganda. The bank said the effort is meant to help parents preparing for the third school term, entrepreneurs looking for working capital, and farmers investing ahead of the final quarter of the year.

At the Kampala relaunch, Stanbic officials framed the campaign as part of the lender’s wider focus on financial inclusion and digital banking as it marks 35 years in Uganda. Sylvia Atuhairwe, the bank’s head of distribution, said the initiative is intended to make borrowing faster, simpler and more accessible, while Yvone Namutosi, who heads digital and e-commerce, said customers can apply through the Stanbic Mobile App and USSD and receive a loan decision in as little as two minutes.

The bank said salaried customers may access unsecured loans of up to 350 million shillings, while non-salaried customers, including farmers and entrepreneurs, may borrow up to 250 million shillings. It also said selected digital transactions may attract waivers, and that some Instant Cash loans of up to 5 million shillings will be interest-free under the campaign terms.

Stanbic also linked the lending drive to insurance protection, with its insurance manager saying borrowing should be paired with safeguards for assets and future obligations. More broadly, the campaign reflects a common trend in banking toward digital lending and wider credit access, though the specific product terms and customer eligibility remain subject to the bank’s conditions.