Pearl Bank has won two top awards at the 2026 Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards, securing recognition for its integrated reporting and performance in the banking services category.
The bank received the Gold Award for Integrated Report of the Year and recognition in the Financial Services Reporting category for Banking Services Tier 1 at a ceremony held at Kampala Serena Hotel on November 4.
The integrated reporting award is the first Gold recognition the institution has received under its new identity following its transition from PostBank Uganda to Pearl Bank.
The recognition comes as the bank implements a five-year strategic agenda aimed at strengthening service delivery and creating long-term value for Ugandans. Its strategy is anchored on two key objectives: promoting sustainable financial inclusion and stimulating entrepreneurship and service.
The FiRe Awards, organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) in partnership with the Capital Markets Authority and the Uganda Securities Exchange, recognise organisations that demonstrate excellence in financial reporting, corporate governance, sustainability disclosure and the use of technology.
This year’s awards were held under the theme, “Driving Sustainability Reporting through Technology and Innovation”, with discussions focusing on the growing importance of technology in improving transparency and accountability in corporate reporting.
ICPAU president Timothy Ediomu said organisations needed to prepare for the adoption of international sustainability disclosure standards, noting that Uganda had adopted the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards in 2024 and launched an implementation roadmap in 2025.
He said voluntary adoption begins this year, ahead of mandatory implementation for key entities by 2028.
“The importance of adopting sustainability disclosure standards cannot be overlooked, and I urge organisations to embrace technology, innovation and early adoption to strengthen transparency, accountability and investor confidence as we prepare for the 2028 mandatory enactment,” Ediomu said.
The chief guest, George William Nyombi, executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission, also highlighted the role of technology in strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of sustainability reporting.
Reporting standards
Pearl Bank chief financial officer Peter Ssenyange said the awards reflected the institution’s progress in improving its reporting standards following the transition from PostBank Uganda.
“Winning both the Gold Award for Integrated Report of the Year and the Tier 1 Financial Services Award under the Pearl Bank identity is a profound milestone,” Ssenyange said.
He said the bank’s integrated report provides an account of its financial performance, strategy, governance and sustainability initiatives, adding that the recognition would encourage the institution to improve its reporting practices.
“Our integrated report presents a complete picture of financial performance, strategy, governance and sustainability impact. These accolades motivate us to continue leveraging technology and innovation to produce reports that meet international standards and serve all our stakeholders as we pursue our high-impact goals of driving sustainable financial inclusion and stimulating entrepreneurship and service,” he said.
The transition from PostBank Uganda to Pearl Bank has involved changes to the institution’s corporate identity, digital platforms and sustainability agenda, while maintaining continuity in services to customers.
The bank provides financial services through its branch network, agent banking outlets, Wendi mobile wallet and other digital platforms, as part of efforts to extend access to financial services.
The latest awards add to the institution’s previous recognition at the FiRe Awards. In 2025, it was named winner in the Banking Services General category. It was also first runner-up in the same category in an earlier edition and received Bronze Awards for Integrated Reporting in 2023 and 2024.
Ssenyange was separately named CFO of the Year at the 2025 awards.
