With Uganda’s first oil production drawing closer, KCB Bank Uganda has stepped in with a Shs 4 billion unsecured tax bridge financing facility aimed at easing cash flow pressures for companies operating in the oil and gas value chain.
The financing is part of a wider package of sector-specific solutions the bank is rolling out to support contractors, suppliers, and investors preparing to plug into the country’s emerging petroleum economy.
Speaking in Kampala in April 2026, Fred Hirya Saul, Manager Trade Finance at KCB Bank Uganda, said the oil and gas sector, while full of promise, continues to pose complex financial demands that require flexible banking support.
“The sector presents huge opportunities, but also comes with heavy capital needs, tight timelines, and unpredictable cash flows,” he said. “We are stepping in to ensure businesses can access financing that keeps them operational, compliant, and competitive.”
At the core of the new offering is unsecured tax bridge financing of up to Shs 4 billion, designed to help firms meet tax obligations on time without diverting funds away from day-to-day operations. The bank says this is crucial in an industry where delayed payments and long project cycles often strain liquidity.
Beyond tax support, KCB Bank Uganda is also expanding structured collateralised financing options with no fixed ceiling, giving firms room to scale their working capital in line with growing project demands as oil sector activity accelerates.
The bank is also strengthening its operational support systems, introducing real-time cash deposit machines installed at client sites to improve security and efficiency. Once deposits are confirmed, custody risk is immediately transferred to the bank.
Complementing this are secure Cash-in-Transit services for safe fund movement, alongside digital tools such as POS-enabled merchant solutions and KCB Pay, which are streamlining payments across the value chain.
Hirya noted that the bank’s integrated approach is aimed at building resilience and efficiency in a sector where precision and speed are critical.
“As Uganda moves closer to first oil, financial systems must evolve with it. We are not just financing businesses—we are enabling them to operate with confidence, manage risks, and stay compliant,” he said.
KCB Bank Uganda says it remains committed to deepening its engagement in the oil and gas sector, positioning itself as a long-term partner in the country’s energy transformation journey.
With first oil on the horizon, banks are increasingly emerging as key enablers, helping local firms prepare to tap into the opportunities embedded in Uganda’s petroleum value chain.
