David A. Wandera

I recently joined @qataharraymond on the @GrabACoffeePod for a conversation on some of the most topical issues shaping financial decisions today: the cost of money, what influences interest rates, and how these affect the choices people make. We also explored my personal and career journey, perspectives on growth, and how individuals can think about investments, whether in real estate or fixed income, based on their goals and circumstances. Watch the full conversation here: youtu.be/azpCbcmsJRc?si…

We did it again. Bigger, louder, and feeling ever closer to our purpose this year. As always, the Kampala hills were not easy, but the mission behind every step kept us all going, whether you did a few hills or completed all of them. As a girl dad, the goal of keeping girls in school and expanding access to education across Uganda is deeply personal to me, and it was inspiring to see so many Ugandans rally behind this cause. Our intention with the #AbsaKH37HillsRun, is to use it as a platform to help break down some of the biggest barriers to girls’ education in Uganda (poverty, sickness, early marriage, and the lack of menstrual hygiene support that all continue to keep many girls out of school). The other day more than 8,000 runners showed up and 100 companies partnered behind this cause. That growth, for me, signals something very important. More people want to have positive impact on the future of girls through supporting their education journey. That is powerful to see and we are immensely humbled. I want so give a special and heartfelt token of thanks to our partners and to our esteemed chief runner, Ms. @sylmulinge. Your presence elevated this year's run. To everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, cheered, partnered with us, or supported this initiative in any way, thank you. Once again, you demonstrated the incredible impact we can create when we come together to #RunForHer as a community.

A week shy of my first anniversary as CEO at @AbsaUganda, I found myself on a panel discussing Dr. Martin Oduor-Otieno’s brilliant book on the humanized leader at the 2026 LEAD convention. The timing felt almost poetic because looking back, this year has been about both the map (for direction) and the mirror (for reflection) for me as a leader. Twenty years as a trader trained me for speed with quick decisions and fast moves, so my map is quite clear. But leading an institution demands a slightly more different rhythm. I now keep a mirror close, invite my colleagues and the Board to challenge me, and constantly ask whether am I demanding of others what I won't do myself. People hear what you say, but they replicate what you do so you cannot lead others until you first master yourself. Growth in leadership is most often found in the humility to ask questions and the empathy to understand that every person interprets leadership through their own unique lens. I am deeply grateful for the board and my colleagues in their different capacities for this opportunity.

I lost my father to the Amin War before my first birthday so I never really got to know him. But in his place, God left me with a warrior in the form of my mother. She was a nurse who worked long shifts, raising me as an only child in a house that was always full of love. Even when things were tough, she shielded and protected me from knowing how tough times were. She taught me that you make do with what you have. You stretch. You survive. You keep moving. To this day, I speak to her every other day and carry her example with me everyday. One of my greatest hope is that my children will experience even a fraction of the strength, sacrifice and love that she has given me. I am eternally grateful for her in my life and wish a Happy Mothers’ day to all doing the much needed job that often goes thankless. Today, I am grateful for her in my life and I celebrate her. And to all mothers quietly carrying families, shaping futures, and loving through sacrifice, Happy Mother’s Day.

What makes a superhero? Often, it’s simply the courage to be exactly who you are. I’m starting this week still feeling supercharged from the weekend’s Autism Awareness Fun Walk, organised by Hannah's Home Holistic Learning Centre under the theme “Shining in Motion.” It was a simple 5km walk but a powerful reminder of what community looks like. The kids came dressed as superheroes. I did the same with a cape and all. Because the truth is, these children (and their parents) show a level of strength, resilience and courage that deserves nothing less. About 700 metres in, my daughter tapped out and I carried her the rest of the way. She isn’t autistic but faces her own learning and speech challenges so that moment stayed with me. It reminded me that every child’s journey is different. Some walk the full distance, unsupported. Some walk the full distance with various supports and some need to be carried. But every single one is shining in motion. While the (few) conversations we have around autism tend to focus on clinical definitions, days like this matter because they celebrate the unique lenses through which neurodiverse individuals experience our flawed world. Autism doesn’t need fixing. Neurodiversity brings perspectives that make us better if we stop forcing everyone into one mould. The inclusion we often talk about must move beyond paper into real practices that build a world where every extraordinary ability finds a place to shine. Kudos to the families, advocates, and organisers for that moving (literally) morning.

Levoyd Robinson grew up in Chicago, the son of a nurse and a plumber. He attended Howard University, where he discovered his interest in finance, thanks in part to his mentor, Wesley Queen, a professor and former director of the Center for Banking Education. See the full #ForbesBLK50: Money Masters list: forbes.com/sites/jabariyo…

HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE 🫨 Sabastian Sawe becomes the first person ever to break the 2-hour barrier in official race conditions, storming to a historic 1:59:30‼️ @KejelchaYomif, on his marathon debut, also breaks 2 hours with a stunning 1:59:41 and @jacobkiplimo2 clocks 2:00:28, also faster than the previous world record 😤

In my first year at the helm of @AbsaUganda, I’ve spent far more time in conversation with business owners than I have reviewing reports and spreadsheets. I’ve sat with entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of a shifting market to listen to how they are tightening operations, rethinking strategy, and finding the resolve to keep moving forward. Because that’s where the real story of our economy lives. Today we have reported strong financial results. But those numbers reflect something deeper. Trust. They reflect customers who continue to choose and trust us, with deposits growing steadily as more individuals and businesses build with us. They reflect deliberate decisions around how we deployed capital, strengthened our balance sheet, and continued to support key sectors that drive Uganda’s economy. They reflect a business that is adapting to how customers want to bank today, with growing adoption of digital payments and simpler, faster ways to transact. And beyond that, they reflect impact. I am most proud of our “social capital.” Whether it’s keeping girls in school, driving financial literacy, or championing sustainability, we are proving that you can grow a business while growing as a force for good in the community. I believe this is what growth looks like in Uganda today. Imperfect conditions, but progress in spite of them. This year deepened my understanding of what it takes to sustain the growth. And that remains the focus: staying close to the real economy, strengthening trust, and enabling it to keep moving forward. I thank our teams, our customers, regulators, and partners for being part of this journey.

I was tempted, like many, to share an Easter message simply about hope and renewal. For me, Hope starts with my belief in Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation we recieved through his death and resurrection, something thats a gift not earned. But hope, on its own doesn’t always carry us through the hard seasons. It doesn’t mend what’s broken or build what’s next. It is not enough to just hope for better days; we must work for them. Quietly. Consistently. Often when no one is watching. I believe that Easter is about grace, hope and responsibility. So perhaps the question for me this Easter is beyond hope, what are we willing to change, build or let go of to move forward? Wishing you a reflective Easter, grounded in purpose and progress.

Last night was a vibe! 🔥 Midnight Run - done ✅ Now… let’s take it to the 7 Hills 👟 Sunday 26 April | 📍 Millenium Grounds, Lugogo Register now: MTN *165*3*590860# | AIRTEL *185*9*4365164# or by VISA card on bit.ly/7hillsrun⁠ Run so she can.

In this snippet, @DavidAWandera shares his journey to becoming the Managing Director of @AbsaUganda From where he started to leading one of the country’s largest financial institution. 🎧 Watch the full episode via youtu.be/azpCbcmsJRc?si… #Grabacoffeepodcast

Quote of the day. #qotd

Looks like everyone had a fantastic time! Happy #WorldDownSyndromeDay! #LotsOfSocks #TogetherAgainstLoneliness

As the crescent moon marked the close of Ramadan last night, homes across our communities came alive with the warmth of Eid-al-Fitr, tables set, families gathered, and the aroma of sumptuous meals filling the air as it has for generations. But Eid carries a meaning far greater than the feast. The spirit of Ramadan, of restraint, reflection, and genuine care for those around us does not end with the fast. It is a call that endures. As we celebrate today, I am reminded that the real measure of this season is not what we set on our tables, but what we extend to those whose tables may be bare. A neighbour supported, a colleague encouraged, a community lifted, these are the acts that define us long after the holiday passes. To our customers, colleagues, and partners observing Eid: may the Almighty accept your fasts and your prayers. May this day bring peace, unity, and abundant blessings to your homes and families. Eid Mubarak!

@qataharraymond It really was. Thanks for having me. 🙏 And looking forward to it...

It was a great delight speaking on a range of issues. Really keen to keep engaging.

@niyimic Thank you

@DavidAWandera Looking great my brother

Life has a way of teaching you through the people you meet along the way. And for me, many of those lessons have come from the women who shaped my world. From them, I learned and continue learning that true strength isn't always loud but it's in showing up every single day with dignity and compassion, even when no one is watching. I learned that partnership, in any context, means lifting others higher, especially in the most demanding seasons. And when I look at my little girls, they remind me daily that the future we're building must be more equal, more inclusive than the world we inherited. On some evenings, watching them discover that they can do even the smallest of things gives me hope for the days to follow. Today, we celebrate every woman who raises us, challenges us, supports us, and inspires us to do better. You keep us striving, keep us thriving and I believe with more time, opportunity, respect, and support given to women, our society can be better for it. Happy International #WomensDay2026 to you all.

Golf is often played on beautiful expansive landscapes, but the real game happens on a much smaller five-inch course known as that space between our ears. One of the pros from the @KenyaOpenGolf put it this way, "Don't fight the pressure when you can just trust the swing you practised." Over the course of shaping your life, consistency beats intensity. When your mind masters the matter, pressure stops being an obstacle and becomes a refining tool. So as you go out into this week, let the pressure refine you, not rattle you. Trust your training and your team. Keep your head down on the task and keep your eyes up for the win. Back to the fairways of business but not as usual.

It was a privilege to be back on the fairways of @KarenGolfClub yesterday as the #MKO2026 returned to this iconic course for the first time since 2021. The time on those fairways left me with a lot to think about around keeping my head down (focus), follow-through and staying the course. The highlight of my day was undoubtedly the company. There is no better environment to connect with pro golfers, fellow amateurs and clients, than when on the walks between those lush greens. Learning from the professional golfers first hand seeing how they react to wins and failures was quite enlightening, revealing a lot of lessons on how to perform under pressure. Sometimes a little pressure is necessary to bring out the best in us, like a diamond is born out of compression, we are made better by withstanding high pressure situations. As the real magic begins today, I will be trading my clubs for the gallery as the pros take on this course. @Absa is proud to continue supporting this platform for local and regional talent to rub shoulders with the continent’s best. A special thanks to my colleague @abdy_mohamed and his team at @AbsaKenya for the great hospitality. Here's to the beautiful game, the relationships it builds and the dreams it fuels. Let the games begin!