Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Absa Bank Uganda has launched a three-month campaign offering Shs66 million in cash prizes to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt digital payments using Business Debit Cards.
The campaign, running from October 15, 2026, to January 15, 2027, will reward one customer with Shs22 million each month.
Existing and prospective business customers can qualify for the monthly draws by opening an active Absa Business Account and signing up for a Business Debit Card, or by spending at least Shs500,000 monthly using the card at point-of-sale (POS) terminals or online. Each qualifying activity earns the customer one entry into the draw.
Moses Rutahigwa, Personal, Private and Business Banking Director at Absa Bank Uganda, said the campaign reflects the bank’s commitment to helping SMEs adopt simpler, safer and more efficient ways of managing business payments.
“Uganda’s businesses are operating in an increasingly digital economy, and that shift also needs to extend to how businesses manage their everyday expenditure,” Rutahigwa said. He added that the campaign seeks to accelerate the adoption of digital payments by encouraging SMEs to use their Business Debit Cards for routine transactions.
The initiative comes as SMEs continue to play a significant role in Uganda’s economy. According to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the country has more than 1.8 million micro, small and medium enterprises in the informal sector alone. MSMEs are estimated to contribute 54.5% of gross domestic product and account for 92% of employment.
Digital payments are also gaining ground. Bank of Uganda data shows that electronic-money transaction volumes increased by 17.3% in the year to December 2025, while transaction values rose by 28%, reflecting growing adoption of electronic payment methods.
At Absa, the value of transactions made using Business Debit Cards has increased by 18% over the past 12 months.
David Luyima, Head of Cards and Payments at Absa Bank Uganda, said greater card usage could help SMEs manage routine expenses more conveniently while improving visibility over their transactions.
“SMEs make payments every day, from purchasing stock and meeting operational expenses to paying for services and making online purchases. A Business Debit Card gives them a secure and convenient way to make many of these payments directly from their business account, while creating a transaction record that makes it easier to keep track of expenditure,” Luyima said.
He added that the monthly Shs22 million prize provides an additional incentive for businesses to use a payment tool already available to them.
One qualifying customer will be selected each month, with the cash prize credited directly to their active Absa Business Account. Participation is open to existing and prospective business customers, subject to the campaign’s terms and conditions.
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