The Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) successfully held the 1st Annual Insurance Research Dissemination Conference on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Hotel Africana under the theme “Leveraging Research and Data Analytics to Transform Uganda’s Insurance Sector.” The conference marked a major milestone in the evolution of Uganda’s insurance industry, bringing together insurers, policymakers, researchers and academia to explore how evidence-based research and data analytics can inform policy decisions, product development and sustainable industry growth. The event was organized in partnership with the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) and researchers from Kyambogo University’s School of Management and Entrepreneurship (SoME), reaffirming UIA’s commitment to fostering collaboration between the insurance industry, the manufacturing sector, and academia.
In his opening remarks, UIA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jonan Kisakye, expressed his appreciation to all partners, researchers, and the organizing team whose dedication made the inaugural conference possible. He emphasized that research is a practical tool for transformation and a guiding compass in shaping the industry’s strategic direction. He noted that such studies enable the sector to evaluate its contribution to Uganda’s economic growth, while identifying areas for improvement. Jonan reaffirmed UIA’s commitment to translating research findings into actionable insights that inform both policy and product development. He further stressed that policymakers rely on evidence-based findings, expressing optimism that conferences like this will enhance the role of insurance in serving the market more effectively. He concluded by encouraging stakeholders to transform research findings into practical, accessible solutions that promote learning and innovation across the sector.
Representing the Chairperson of UIA, Ms. Ruth Namuli, the Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Re, Mr. Ronald Musoke, commended the event for creating a valuable platform for collaboration among insurers, researchers, and learners. He reaffirmed the insurance sector’s mission to drive national resilience and growth, noting that research is vital in shaping informed and effective policy decisions. Ronald emphasized the industry’s continued commitment to working with Kyambogo University and the Uganda Manufacturers Association to advance research and innovation. He encouraged the industry to look beyond statistics and view research findings as tools that can strengthen confidence and foster sector growth & resilience.
Professor Maria Goretti N. Musoke, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Kyambogo University, congratulated the research team and commended UIA for its consistent support toward advancing academic research and evidence-based decision-making within the insurance sector. She applauded UIA’s continued partnership with Kyambogo University’s School of Management and Entrepreneurship (SoME), noting that such collaborations bridge the gap between academia and industry. Professor Musoke also urged both the Insurance Regulatory Authority and UIA to ensure that insurance companies process claims transparently and efficiently, emphasizing that timely claim settlement is essential for building public trust in insurance.
Representing the Executive Director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, Mr. Kirunda Mubarak, Director of Membership and Business Development, highlighted the strong and longstanding partnership between UMA and UIA. He expressed appreciation to the UIA team for its resilience and dedication in sustaining this collaboration. Mubarak shared that UMA’s engagement with UIA was born out of a desire to better understand the challenges faced by manufacturers, and this partnership has evolved into a key driver for knowledge exchange and sectoral growth. He noted that an Industrial Survey Advisory Technical Committee, where UIA sits, was formed to develop research tools, monitor progress, and validate findings. Among the key recommendations emerging from this process is the need to build capacity within the manufacturing sector on insurance-related matters and to encourage UMA members to adopt insurance as a safeguard for their businesses and investments.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Managing Director of NSSF Uganda, Mr. Patrick Ayota, the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Stevens Mwanje, commended the steady growth of Uganda’s insurance sector, noting that data-driven research is essential in shaping sound policies and strategies. He urged the industry to treat research findings as valuable opportunities for expansion, particularly in promoting sustainable premium growth, curbing fraud and encouraging good policyholder behavior. Stevens highlighted the growing digital transformation in Uganda, explaining that the increasing number of digital users presents a unique opportunity to leverage data and technology to improve service delivery and policy design. He further proposed the establishment of a dedicated Research and Innovation Hub for the insurance sector to enhance collaboration with academic and professional institutions and improve the sector’s responsiveness to emerging challenges.
The conference also featured several research presentations. Angella Kemigisa, Research Officer at UIA, presented findings from the 2023 survey on Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Uganda, revealing low awareness and uptake despite the policy’s mandatory nature. She emphasized the need to increase awareness among employers and employees about their rights and obligations under the Act. Allan Ssenyondwa, Director of Policy and Advocacy at UMA, shared insights on the UMA Members' insurance needs as captured in the Industrial Survey Report, fostering dialogue on strengthening the sector’s operational frameworks.
Ivan Wamono, a Master’s Student from Kyambogo University’s School of Management and Entrepreneurship, presented findings from a study on customer perceptions and uptake of life insurance in Uganda, a case of Kampala district. His research showed that while 64% of respondents view insurance as an important financial planning tool, many still perceive it as expensive or lack awareness about available products. He encouraged the industry to use social media platforms for education and product promotion while simplifying information to foster transparency and trust. Similarly, Barbra Rukundo, an Undergraduate student from the same School, presented findings on the road users' knowledge and experiences with the Motor Third Party Insurance Claims Process, a case of Wakiso District, revealing that only 4% of respondents fully understood the policy’s purpose. She recommended targeted awareness campaigns in local communities and collaboration with transport unions to improve understanding and uptake.
A panel discussion moderated by Deborah Mwesigwa, General Manager of Commercial Business at Sanlam Allianz, explored the theme “From Evidence to Impact: Using Research Insights to Shape Policy and Advocacy for Uganda’s Insurance Sector.” During the discussion, Apollo Onzoma from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development emphasized the importance of compliance, enforcement and collaboration in ensuring that insurance policies protect workers effectively. Dr. Julius Byaruhanga from the Private Sector Foundation Uganda highlighted the role of insurance as a guarantor of business continuity and urged the sector to focus on affordability, awareness, and trust.
Ms. Sylvia Kajubi, the Deputy Principal of the Insurance Training College, stressed that research is everyone’s responsibility and called for a culture of innovation and continuous learning across the industry. Mr. Ambrose Kibuuka, CEO of ICEA LION General Insurance, reflected on the industry’s progress, noting that the sector is now more cohesive and research-driven than ever before. Namanya Happius from the Insurance Regulatory Authority emphasized that data-driven decision-making guides the Authority’s frameworks and inspections, ensuring that regulation remains evidence-based and customer-focused.
In his closing remarks, UIA CEO Jonan Kisakye expressed deep appreciation to all partners, researchers, and panelists for their contributions to the success of the conference. He reaffirmed UIA’s commitment to transforming research insights into tangible outcomes and announced that the Association would compile a comprehensive report to share recommendations with regulators, members, and government stakeholders. He further highlighted the proposal to establish a research and innovation hub to strengthen the sector’s research capacity and drive innovation, and that the implementation of the same is already being spearheaded by UIA. Jonan concluded by acknowledging key findings from the Motor Third Party study, noting the widespread public confusion regarding coverage and benefits, and emphasized the importance of addressing these gaps through sustained awareness and engagement.
The 1st Annual Insurance Research Dissemination Conference served as a historic step toward fostering a culture of research, collaboration, and innovation within Uganda’s insurance sector.
