OPPORTUNITY BANK TRANSFORMING LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH FINANCIAL INCLUSION.

Opportunity Bank partnership with OI, AMFIU, NUDIPU and Cheshire Services Uganda (CSU) with support from Community Fund is implementing a three-year project called Mainstreaming Financial Inclusion for persons with disabilities in Uganda. The project is aimed at transforming lives of 3,700 PWDS by 2022 in Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Kamdin through disability Community sensitization on radio and TV to break down barriers, Institutional Capacity Building, building Networks and linkages with same minded organizations, collecting disability data and building a business case, providing technology -led financial solutions and services to PWDs and care givers and monitoring and evaluating the impact of the project.

Over the last 18 months, 200 community leaders, PWD district union leaders, and district leaders have participated in PWD community sensitization meetings from the districts of Iganga, Mbale, Manafwa, Namisindwa, Palisa, Soroti, Lira and Oyam. The sensitization aimed at addressing the three main barriers to financial inclusion which include attitude, environment and institutional barriers.

The bank has developed a financial literacy training curriculum oriented to PWDs needs, trained staff and field agents as trainers to deliver financial literacy training. The project has so far served  7,404.

 Ms. Akoli Bena, proprietor of Bena’s restaurant in Lira expressed her gratitude to the Opportunity Bank staff for the training and encouragement that has not only helped her access financing for her business but she has been able to save double her daily capital required to run her business which she thought would never be possible as she has been running her restaurant for two years and never been able to save

“It’s been a hand to mouth thing. No one had made efforts to train me on how to manage my small income for the past two years.”  Ms. Akoli Bena

The CEO Mr. Robert Ongodia emphasized that financial inclusion is high on the agenda for Opportunity bank and the project with people with disabilities is inline with our purpose to make the lives of people and communities better.

“Opportunity Bank aims for persons with disabilities to enjoy equal and fair access to quality financial products and services” Robert Ongodia

 In an emerging economy like Uganda, it is very important that government and private sector play an important role and share the responsibility of providing the disabled a dignified life. Providing financial inclusion will ensure employment to the disabled and help in enhancing economic growth.