KAMPALA, Uganda — A new chapter has begun at Centenary Bank after CPA Godfrey Byekwaso officially assumed office as the bank’s Managing Director on July 1, 2026, succeeding Fabian Kasi, who has led Uganda’s largest indigenous commercial bank for the past 16 years.
The leadership transition marks one of the most significant changes in Uganda’s banking sector in recent years, with Byekwaso inheriting one of the country’s strongest financial institutions after an accomplished career within the Centenary Group.
The official handover, held on June 30, celebrated Kasi’s transformative leadership, during which Centenary Bank strengthened its position as Uganda’s leading indigenous bank and one of the country’s largest financial institutions. Under his stewardship, the bank expanded access to financial services across the country, accelerated digital banking, deepened financial inclusion and introduced customer centered innovations that transformed millions of lives.
In a message released after the handover, Centenary Bank paid tribute to Kasi’s contribution, describing his tenure as one that built a strong legacy of trust, excellence and innovation while positioning the institution for sustained growth.
As Byekwaso officially takes over, he is expected to build on that legacy while steering the bank through a rapidly evolving banking landscape shaped by digital transformation, regulatory reforms and regional expansion.
Byekwaso is no stranger to the Centenary family. He joined Centenary Bank Uganda in 2012 as General Manager for Finance after serving in senior leadership roles at FINCA Uganda and FINCA International. In 2023, he was appointed Deputy Managing Director of Centenary Bank Malawi before later rising to Managing Director, where he led a remarkable turnaround of the bank.
His leadership in Malawi drew widespread recognition after the bank returned to profitability and posted strong growth in deposits, assets and earnings. Customer deposits increased by 55 percent, total assets grew by 46 percent, while profit after tax surged by 168 percent during his first full year as Managing Director, highlighting his ability to drive sustainable institutional growth.
Byekwaso brings more than 26 years of experience in banking, finance, operations, advisory and executive leadership. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Makerere University. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda. He has also completed executive leadership programmes at Strathmore University Business School, including the Advanced Management Programme and the CEO Apprenticeship Programme.
Throughout his career, Byekwaso has also served in several governance roles, including Chairperson of the Operations Committee at the Bankers Association of Malawi and a member of the Finance Council of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. He is also a member of the Global Preparers Forum under the International Financial Accounting Standards Board.
His appointment comes at a time when Centenary Group is strengthening its governance structure to align with new Bank of Uganda regulations governing financial holding companies. The leadership changes are expected to support the group’s continued growth across Uganda, Malawi and future regional markets.
Meanwhile, Fabian Kasi is expected to transition into a broader leadership role within Centenary Group after overseeing one of the most successful periods in the bank’s history. During his 16 year tenure, Centenary Bank grew into Uganda’s second largest bank by assets and customer base while remaining the country’s leading indigenous commercial bank and a champion of financial inclusion.
As Byekwaso takes the helm, stakeholders across Uganda’s financial sector will be watching closely to see how the experienced banker builds on Centenary Bank’s strong foundation while driving innovation, expanding financial inclusion and positioning the institution for its next phase of growth.
