Overview:
Absa Bank Uganda launches a UGX200 million card rewards campaign to incentivize customers and drive digital payment adoption across the country.
KAMPALA, Uganda – Absa Bank Uganda has launched a new customer campaign, “Play Your Cards Right,” offering 200 million Ugandan shillings (about $53,000 USD) in cash prizes to 14 lucky cardholders. The initiative aims to significantly boost the adoption and use of digital payments across the country.
The campaign, running from June to August 2025, is open to all Absa debit and credit cardholders, including personal, business, local, and foreign accounts. To participate, customers simply need to use their Absa cards for at least five transactions each month. Every transaction increases their chances of winning.
Each month during the campaign, four winners will be selected – two from Personal Banking and two from Business Banking. Each monthly winner will receive 10 million shillings, totaling a monthly prize pool of 40 million shillings. At the end of August, two overall grand prize winners, one from each banking segment, will be awarded 40 million shillings each, bringing the campaign’s total prize value to 200 million shillings.
Moses Rutahigwa, Absa Bank Uganda’s Retail and Business Banking Director, emphasized the strategic intent behind the campaign. “With this campaign, we’re not only rewarding our customers but also encouraging greater adoption of secure, fast, and convenient digital payments. Today’s customer expects digital tools that align with their modern lifestyle, and that’s exactly what Absa’s card solutions offer,” Rutahigwa stated.
The push for digital payments aligns with current market trends. According to the Bank of Uganda’s 2023 Financial Stability Report, debit card transactions reached 561.5 billion shillings, with over 3.8 million active debit cards. Credit card usage is also on the rise, with transaction values hitting 30.9 billion shillings from nearly 10,000 active credit cards.
“Our cards offer a seamless experience, from quick tap-to-pay functionality to wide merchant acceptance and robust in-app controls. This campaign is one more way we are recognizing and rewarding our loyal customers,” Rutahigwa added.
Sam Kiyaga, Head of Alternate Channels at Absa Bank Uganda, highlighted the bank’s continuous innovation and focus on safety. “We’re continuously strengthening our card services with features like real-time transaction alerts, card locking controls, and spending limits. Sign up for an Absa card today, use it regularly, and you could be a winner,” Kiyaga said.
Absa has already demonstrated strong performance in the digital payments space. As of December 2024, the bank recorded an 18.5% growth in card payment volume, outperforming the market average of 11%. Active card usage also grew by 15%, significantly above the market rate of 2%. Absa is currently the leading issuer of all card types in Uganda, issuing over 70% of credit cards and contributing 92% of credit card payment volumes.
“Our leadership in the digital payments space underscores our commitment to financial inclusion and customer empowerment,” Kiyaga concluded.
Victor Makere, the Country Manager for Visa Uganda, also commented on the partnership. “Our partnership with Absa is rooted in trust, innovation, and a shared vision of financial inclusion. Campaigns like this not only reward Absa Visa cardholders but also accelerate the adoption of secure digital payments across Uganda,” he said.
Absa Bank Uganda Limited is part of Absa Group Limited, one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups1 listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.2 With 39 branches, 85 ATMs, and 25 Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) countrywide, Absa Uganda is committed to finding local solutions to uniquely local challenges. The bank offers a range of retail, business, corporate, and investment solutions, and is dedicated to being a force for good by working to improve lives and strengthen communities.