ELP factor: Christabel Babirye’s story

Equity Bank Uganda continues to transform the lives of young people across the country through strategic investments in education, leadership development, and mentorship under the Equity Group Foundation.

This is evident through Christabel Babirye Nabukenya, a student leader and member of the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) Cohort 5, who recently shared her journey during an induction event at Africa Bible University in Lubowa.

For Nabukenya, the relationship with Equity bank began long before she joined the prestigious leadership program. At just 12 years old, while participating in the Digital Impact Awards Africa in 2018, Nabukenya challenged Equity bank to expand its EquiDuuka banking services into rural communities to make financial services more accessible to people living far from urban centres.

Her concern was, many rural Ugandans were still travelling long distances to access basic banking services. Years later, Nabukenya watched as EquiDuuka expanded deeper into rural Uganda.

For her, this was proof that the bank was listening to ordinary citizens and responding to real community needs.

“That moment made me realise that institutions can truly listen and act,” she reflected.

This early interaction would later evolve into a deeper relationship when she joined the Equity Leaders Program, one of Equity Group Foundation’s flagship initiatives designed to nurture academically gifted students into future leaders through mentorship, leadership training, internships, and career development opportunities.

A former student of Gayaza High School, Nabukenya admitted that before joining the program, her perception of banking was largely shaped by the pressures of managing student savings activities at school.

To her, banking seemed complex, stressful, and heavily transactional. However, her perspective shifted after participating in the ELP induction program.

Through mentorship sessions and interactions with industry leaders, Nabukenya discovered a different side of banking, one centred on empowerment, transformation, and opportunity creation.

She came to understand that banking is not merely about money management, but about enabling individuals, businesses, and communities to grow.

During the induction, scholars underwent intensive training sessions focused on leadership, discipline, resilience, integrity, and purpose. Industry professionals and Equity Bank leaders challenged participants to think beyond personal success and position themselves as change-makers capable of driving positive impact in their communities.

According to Nabukenya, the experience left many scholars inspired, empowered, and more intentional about their futures.

“The program has helped many of us believe in ourselves and see leadership as service,” she noted.

She credited the foundation for investing in young people at a critical stage in their development, helping them discover their purpose while equipping them with practical skills for life beyond the classroom.

Beyond academic support, Nabukenya praised the program for exposing students to mentorship, internships, personal development, and leadership opportunities that many young Ugandans would otherwise struggle to access.

She believes these experiences are helping shape a generation of confident, ethical, and solutions-driven leaders prepared to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s growth.

Nabukenya also encouraged fellow scholars to maximise the opportunities offered by returning to their communities with innovative ideas, stronger leadership capabilities, and a renewed commitment to service.

Through initiatives such as the Equity Leaders Program, Equity continues to demonstrate that investing in education is about far more than academic excellence. It is about building human capital, nurturing leadership, and preparing a generation capable of transforming Uganda’s future.

By combining education support with leadership development, mentorship, and practical exposure, Equity bank is helping shape leaders who will define the country’s next chapter.

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المصدر: The Observer (Uganda)