Uganda Development Bank (UDB), the country’s Development Finance Institution (DFI), has officially launched a regional office in Hoima City to better serve the mid-western region of Uganda and the Albertine area.
Located at Plot 5, Kyaruhanga Road in Hoima City, the Bunyoro Regional Office will act as a liaison point for the districts of Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, Masindi, Hoima, and Buliisa, among others.
The office will enhance UDB’s capacity in addressing both the financial and non-financial needs of the local business community, thereby promoting financial inclusion and equitable economic development in the Bunyoro sub-region.
“Establishing this regional presence reinforces the Bank’s mandate as Uganda’s National Development Finance Institution and improves our ability to unlock investment opportunities across the country,” said Dr. Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of UDB, during the launch ceremony.
“Extending our footprint to the Bunyoro sub-region demonstrates our commitment to narrowing access gaps and bringing essential financial services closer to the communities that need them. This is crucial for advancing economic empowerment, fostering inclusive growth, and accelerating transformation,” Dr. Ojangole added.
In line with the Bank’s mission to accelerate socio-economic development in Uganda through sustainable financial initiatives, the office will support projects within the private sector that have the potential to deliver significant socio-economic benefits in the areas of primary agriculture, industry (including agro-industrialization, manufacturing, knowledge-based industries, and extractives), services (such as health, tourism and hospitality, education, and technology), and infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Jeniffer Namuyangu Matia Kasaija, the State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs, the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, who officiated as Guest of Honor, remarked that UDB’s expansion to Bunyoro will enable the region to realize its full economic potential, highlighted by numerous investment opportunities in agriculture, oil and gas, and tourism sectors.
“The opening of a regional office in Bunyoro is a vital step towards strengthening inclusive economic development across the country. This region is rich in potential in agriculture, tourism, energy, and emerging industries, and deserves direct access to the financing and advisory services needed to harness it. By bringing services closer to the people, UDB is reducing the cost and distance barriers faced by businesses and communities, while also accelerating investment, job creation, and value addition within the sub-region,” said Hon. Namuyangu.
“This new branch reaffirms our commitment as government to ensure that growth is broad-based and that every region of Uganda is empowered to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she added.
In 2025, the Bank approved UGX 75 billion in new loans to 5 enterprises in Bunyoro. These investments are projected to create 2,322 new jobs, UGX 421.7 billion in additional output, UGX 406 billion in foreign exchange earnings, UGX 22 billion in profits, and UGX 6.58 billion in tax contributions to the government.
Previously, UDB operated with two offices located in Kampala and Gulu. To enhance efficiency and deepen financial inclusion nationwide, the Bank is establishing three additional regional offices strategically placed in Mbale (Eastern Uganda), Arua (West Nile), and Mbarara (Western Uganda).
