UGANDA – ABSA Group, a financial service provider, has announced the appointment of Seasoned banker Nadine Byarugaba as the new ABSA Uganda board chairperson after acting in the position for close to a year.

Previously, Swithin Munyantwali held the position until September 2019, when she was appointed to the Board of ABSA Group as a Non-Executive Director. Byarugaba has served on the Board since January 2016.

In a statement, deputy ABSA Group chief executive officer Peter Matlare said her appointment will strengthen the value of the bank to shareholders.

“I am delighted to confirm Nadine’s appointment as Board Chair of Absa Bank Uganda. Her strategic leadership and seasoned knowledge of the banking sector stands us in good stead as we continue to pursue our ambition and goal to be a leading and trusted African financial services company,” Matlare said.

“I am confident that Nadine’s leadership will strengthen our resolve to deliver continued value to our customers and shareholders.”

Mr Mumba Kalifungwa, the Absa Uganda managing director, said the bank will leverage on Ms Byarugaba’s experience to scale to greater heights.

“Ms Byarugaba, who brings with her a wealth of expertise in the financial services sector, will provide crucial strategic direction and oversight as we work towards delivering continued business growth and success for the bank for both our shareholders and customers,” he said.

Byarugaba is a seasoned banking professional with experience spanning over 25 years. She is a Board member for New Faces New Voices, a Pan-African Advocacy Group, under the Graca Machel Trust that focuses on expanding the role of women in the financial sector.

She has worked at Standard Chartered Bank in various capacities such as Regional Head, eCommerce Sales, Africa, Head of Global Markets, Head of Internal Control, and systems administrator.

Ms Byarugaba holds a MBA from Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh. She also serves as a Non-executive Director at Uganda Reinsurance company limited among others.

The appointment comes at a time when Absa announced the completion of a rebranding exercise from Barclays.

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