With increasing numbers of young Ugandans turning to content creation to earn a living, Kwikiriza announced that Stanbic Bank will inject Shs 1 trillion into expanding avenues for youth in the digital creator space. She made this revelation during a press briefing held on Friday, 30th November, at the Onomo Hotel in Kampala.
The event marked the official launch of the Stanbic Ongea Digital Creators Summit 2025, a national platform developed in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Ongea Africa, and the Uganda Digital Society (UDS). The initiative aims to boost job creation and fast-track Uganda’s digital transformation by strengthening the rapidly growing creator economy.
Kwikiriza emphasized that the Shs 1 trillion investment falls under the bank’s Women, Youth, and Farmers (WYF) Agenda. She also unveiled the Stanbic Digital Content Creator Annual Prize, featuring five scholarship-based awards that aim to professionalize the creator industry.
Categories include:Creator of the Year, Premium Professional Course Financial; Literacy Creator Award,Business & Management Insights and Social Impact Creator Award, Mid-Level Course, among others.
“Skills outlive trophies. These scholarships will equip creators with world-class competence to grow, monetize, and professionalize their craft. It reflects our commitment to youth empowerment and digital transformation,” she said.
The training will be facilitated through Red & Yellow and accessed via the Uganda Digital Society (UDS), ensuring creators gain the skills needed to operate as structured, profitable small businesses.
Kwikiriza further highlighted Stanbic’s support through Youth CVP (Cost-Volume-Profit) benefits, including free digital account openings and financial literacy programs—critical tools for new entrepreneurs.
Kenneth Tweheyo, UCC’s Head of Competition and Consumer Affairs, reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to consumer protection, innovation, and enforcing network coverage obligations that require at least 95% population coverage.
“We support platforms like the Ongea Summit because they champion responsible content creation, digital safety, and innovation. Together, we can build a safe, inclusive, and empowered digital ecosystem,” Tweheyo said.
Representing UDS, President John Ssenkeezi expressed pride in serving as the Summit’s technical partner.
“Uganda has immense talent, especially among its youth. The goal is to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive,” he noted.
He added that their focus is on building meaningful partnerships that deliver real value, not just chasing fleeting online trends.
Joseph Kanyamunyu, Summit Director at Ongea Africa, stressed that the Summit is intentionally designed as a national development platform targeting youth employment.
“The Stanbic Ongea Digital Creators Summit aims to empower creators with skills, business tools, policy awareness, responsible content practices, and commercial opportunities,” he said.
The 2025 Summit, set for 11th December, will feature the Ongea Skills Lab, offering digital and business training, as well as roundtable sessions linking creators with regulators and financial institutions.
Kanyamunyu explained that the multi-stakeholder initiative is positioned as a catalyst for Uganda’s digital future enhancing digital and financial literacy, improving youth employability, and strengthening connections between creators, policymakers, and businesses.
He concluded by noting that the partnership demonstrates how private-sector investment combined with regulatory support forms the most effective model for driving job creation and accelerating digital transformation in Uganda.
