By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Stanbic Bank Uganda has engaged education leaders in the Elgon sub-region under the theme “Building Schools for a Sustainable Future,” focusing on strategies to strengthen schools and improve the quality of education.
The engagement, held at Mt. Elgon Hotel in Mbale City on Tuesday, 6th October, 2026, brought together school heads and other key stakeholders to discuss challenges facing schools and explore practical approaches to creating sustainable learning environments.
The meeting featured Mr. Sam Kuloba, a consultant and former Commissioner of Education, who shared his experience and insights on strengthening education systems and school leadership.
Also in attendance was Mr. Tunde Thorpe, Executive Head of Business, Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank, alongside Madam Melisa Nyakwera, Head of Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank, who represented the bank in discussions with education stakeholders.
The engagement focused on the importance of adopting sustainable approaches in school operations, infrastructure development, financial management and leadership, while ensuring that learners are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to navigate an increasingly changing world.
Speaking during the meeting, Stanbic Bank representatives emphasized the importance of working closely with education leaders to identify challenges affecting schools and develop practical solutions that can contribute to the long-term growth of the education sector.
The bank highlighted that building sustainable schools goes beyond constructing physical infrastructure. It also requires investment in teachers, learners, school leadership, financial management and other resources necessary to create resilient institutions capable of serving communities for generations.
Education leaders shared experiences from their respective schools and discussed challenges affecting the delivery of quality education. Key areas of discussion included improving learning environments, supporting teachers, strengthening school management and preparing learners with relevant skills for the future.
Mr. Sam Kuloba’s participation provided an opportunity for stakeholders to draw from his experience in the education sector, particularly on matters of school leadership, management and the development of sustainable education systems.
Mr. Tunde Thorpe and Madam Melisa Nyakwera also emphasized the role that the private sector and financial institutions can play in supporting schools through partnerships, financial solutions and other initiatives aimed at strengthening educational institutions.
Stakeholders observed that partnerships between government, financial institutions, school administrators, teachers and communities are essential in addressing challenges affecting the education sector.
The “Building Schools for a Sustainable Future” theme underscored the need to develop schools that are not only equipped to meet today’s demands but are also prepared to adapt to future social, economic and environmental challenges.
The engagement in Mbale provided a platform for education leaders and Stanbic Bank to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for supporting sustainable development within the education sector.
Education remains a key pillar of Uganda’s development, and stakeholders emphasized the importance of continued investment in schools, teachers and learners to produce a skilled and responsible generation capable of driving economic and social transformation.
The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration between education leaders, the private sector, government and communities to develop practical initiatives that can improve the quality of education and create sustainable learning environments across the country.
