Residents of Greater Masaka region have been urged to embrace saving money in banks because it comes with different benefits, such as safety, but also contributes to an improvement in livelihood.

Masitula Naava, the deputy resident city commissioner (RCC) in charge of Nyendo-Mukungwe in Masaka city, said this during the official opening of the two-day market event organized by Stanbic bank on October 27. 

“As stakeholders, we still have a lot to do, especially in sensitizing the community to embrace saving money in banks. Many people have chosen not to keep their money in the banks because they think it is for a select few. However, many have fallen victim to con men who take advantage of them by encouraging them to invest in Ponzi schemes,” Naava said.

She called upon Stanbic officials to invest in grassroots mobilization, which she said will help the public get closer to learning about the projects of the bank and eventually pick interest in them.

“People can only embrace and own the bank’s projects if you teach them. Therefore, I encourage you to take your mobilization to the grassroots level because the public still needs to learn more about your services,” Naava added.

Flagged off last year, the market days have become a part of activities organized by the lender through the “L.O.V.E. October” programme, which is a period of giving back to the community and appreciating them for the support rendered throughout the year.

Stanbic’s head of marketing, Daniel Ogong, said, “As a bank, we believe that this is an opportunity for us to meet and interact more with our clients, to appreciate them, but also to get to know how we can serve them better. We are driven by our theme, ‘Uganda is our home; we drive her growth’.”

“We can only achieve better results if we work closely with our clients. The market days come with more opportunities, such as exposure and networking and we hope the public will take advantage of them,” Ogong added.

Florence Namayanja, the mayor of Masaka city, appreciated Stanbic for working hand in hand with the authorities in the region. “Development can only be achieved if there is synergy between the informal and formal sectors. We thank Stanbic for being exemplary and always working hand in hand with us whenever there is need,” she said.

Meanwhile, Stanbic wrapped up this ‘Love October’ Month Campaign over the weekend by donating maternal equipment that included a hydroelectric table, modern adjustable maternity beds, and Mama Kits, among oth- ers, to Alebtong District Health Centre IV, which is situated about 50 kilometres from Lira city.

According to the medical officer in charge, Dr John Baptist Ogwal, the health centre serves hundreds of disadvantaged families in the Lango sub-region, handling between 4000 and 5000 outpatients, 150 to 200 maternity cases, and nine to 20 C-sections monthly.

In May last year, Stanbic, in partnership with the ministry of Health and other private sector entities, launched the corporate society initiative aimed at raising Shs 5.9 billion for safe motherhood. The first phase of the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood’s support will be implemented in four high-volume facilities with key infrastructure and equipment gaps. The facilities include health centre IVs in Packwach, Busanza, Bukasa, and Mukono general hospital. By URN/ The Observer