By Frank Kamuntu
Stanbic Bank has today held its STANBIC ONGEA Digital Creators Summit 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, bringing together content creators, regulators, private sector leaders, policymakers and digital industry stakeholders. The summit explored digital inclusion, infrastructure, monetization, responsible creation and long-term support systems for digital creatives.
Treat Content Creation As A Professional Business
Stanbic Bank Uganda CEO, Kenneth Mumba Kalifungwa, opened the summit by recognizing the strategic role content creators now play in influencing markets, shaping public opinion and driving modern communication.
“Creators are digital entrepreneurs speaking to communities that many organisations cannot reach on their own,” he said.
Kalifungwa noted that while Uganda is rich with talent, many creators struggle with inconsistent earnings, platform limitations and structural gaps. He encouraged creators to treat their work as a business built on clarity, discipline and professionalism.
“Talent must be supported by structure. Understand your audience, your value and the needs of the organisations you want to partner with,” he said. “You are not just producing videos. You are building communities with real economic power.”
He reaffirmed Stanbic Bank’s commitment to supporting creators through financial literacy, digital income training and capacity-building programs tailored to help creators scale sustainably.
Stanbic Bank Confirms The Summit Is Now An annual Event
Kenneth Agutamba, Manager of Reputation and Corporate Communications at Stanbic Bank, formally announced that the STANBIC ONGEA Digital Creators Summit will now be held annually, making it a permanent platform for continuous engagement with Uganda’s growing digital creator community.
“This summit is now officially annual because creators are an essential pillar of our digital economy,” Agutamba said. “Stanbic Bank has already secured full sponsorship for creators to undergo advanced training so they can elevate their skills and operate competitively, even on global platforms. We are investing in creators the same way we invest in all other industries.”
Agutamba emphasized that institutional support is crucial in transforming content creation from a passion into a sustainable profession and called on partners across the ecosystem to join in strengthening the sector.
UCC On Responsible Digital Conduct
Uganda Communications Commission Executive Director, Hon Nyombi Thembo highlighted the role of affordable internet access in enabling digital creators to thrive. He noted Uganda’s continued progress in lowering data costs and increasing smartphone penetration.
Thembo warned against the misuse of digital platforms for cyberbullying, extortion or harassment.
“We support creators who are adding value, but we cannot tolerate those who abuse the digital space. The law is clear,” he added.
NITA-U Details Progress In National Digital Infrastructure
NITA-U Executive Director Hatwib Mugasa updated attendees on the ongoing expansion of the National Backbone Infrastructure, which powers both public and private-sector connectivity. He noted that over 67 percent of Internet Service Providers, (ISPs) depend on this infrastructure.
“We are moving towards full national coverage, including hard-to-reach areas and island districts,” Mugasa said.
He also underscored the importance of legal frameworks such as the Electronic Transactions Act, the E-Signature Act and the Data Protection and Privacy Act in strengthening trust and security in digital commerce.
Uganda’s Position In Africa’s $5.1B Creator Economy
John Ssenkeezi, President of the Uganda Digital Society, presented new data showing that Africa’s digital creator industry is valued at 5.1 billion dollars, yet Ugandan creators continue to earn below their potential due to structural and policy constraints.
Highlights included:
• 54 percent of creators earn less than 62 dollars
• Only 20 percent receive significant advertising revenue
• Key monetization tools are still unavailable locally
“Uganda has the talent and one of the youngest populations in the world, but the support system is still fragmented,” Ssenkeezi said. “If we do not coordinate as an ecosystem, we will continue to miss out.”
Recognition For Digital Creators
In conclusion of this Summit, Joseph Kanyamunyu, the Managing Director of Publics Africa Communications and Founder of Publicist East Africa revealed that more than 300 creators have already been nominated or registered for the upcoming Digital Creators Awards, full sponsored by Stanbic Bank, which are designed to recognize excellence, innovation and impact in Uganda’s digital space.
Kanyamunyu noted that the awards will be accompanied by a transparent national nomination and vetting process.
“These awards are meant to celebrate creators who are shaping conversations, building communities and inspiring change,” he said. “We want to elevate the creator profession to the respect it deserves.”
Kanyamunyu also announced additional opportunities:
• A 50 percent discount on global online courses from Red & Yellow for 200 delegates
• A partnership with Artfield Institute to provide advanced training in storytelling, branding, digital production and creative entrepreneurship
He added that the awards will work hand-in-hand with Stanbic Bank’s annual summit to create a full ecosystem of recognition, training and professional development.
Meanwhile, this event concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to strengthen Uganda’s digital creator ecosystem through better infrastructure, supportive policy, improved skills and long-term financial and institutional support.
Organisers [Stanbic], emphasized that with coordinated effort, Uganda can become a regional leader in digital content creation and innovation.
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