I&M Bank Uganda has pledged to deepen its investment in community initiatives after signing a three-year partnership with the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation, as part of its “On Your Side” thematic campaign.
The partnership, announced at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday, will see the bank support programmes implemented by the foundation, including initiatives focused on education, health, water and sanitation, gender equality and nurturing young athletic talent.
Speaking at the launch, I&M Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer Robin Bairstow said the campaign was built around a commitment to supporting customers and communities beyond traditional banking services.
“On Your Side is more than a tagline. It reflects a commitment to listen, understand and find the right solutions so that our customers can move forward with confidence,” Bairstow said.
He added that the bank’s role extends beyond providing financial services, noting that stronger communities are essential to sustainable economic growth.
“Being On Your Side extends beyond banking. It reflects our fidelity to the community causes that the bank is invested in,” he said. “The prosperity of business and wider society are deeply connected. By playing our part, we contribute to a stronger and more inclusive future for all.”
The bank named Olympic champion and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei as the face of the campaign, citing his community work through the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation as a key reason for the partnership.
Cheptegei, who recently won the Durban 10K, was recognised not only for his achievements in athletics but also for his efforts to improve lives in his home community of Kapchorwa.
Through the foundation, the athlete has supported programmes aimed at developing young sporting talent, expanding education opportunities, promoting gender equality and improving access to essential services.
Bairstow said Cheptegei’s community-focused approach aligned with the values behind the campaign.
“What makes him our right partner goes beyond his achievements on the track. We looked deeply at how he has used his platform to uplift others,” Bairstow added.
“Through the Joshua Cheptegei foundation, he continues to give back to his community in Kapchorwa by nurturing athletics talent, supporting education, promoting gender equality, improving sanitation and championing initiatives that create opportunities for others. He represents what it means to stand on your side for his community.”
The partnership will also include joint charity initiatives aligned with I&M Bank’s corporate social responsibility pillars, with the two organisations seeking to address community needs and create long-term impact.
The bank said the “On Your Side” campaign is intended to demonstrate its approach of building stronger relationships with customers while contributing to social and economic development across Uganda.
Cheptegei is the current world record holder for the 5000 metres and the 10,000 metres.
He has won various medals for Uganda including two golds at Olympics – 5000m Gold in 2020 Tokyo and 10,000m Gold in 2024 Paris.
Speaking during the I&M bank podcast, he stated:
“Every journey has a beginning. When I reflect on my early life, I think back to 2014, the year I started running seriously and qualified for the Junior African Cross Country Championships. I was still a young boy, around 17 years old, full of ambition and a belief that even the impossible was possible. I dreamed of becoming a World Champion.
“I had watched Stephen Kiprotich win the London Olympics and later the World Championships in Russia, and those moments inspired me deeply. From then on, becoming a champion became my dream.
“Every dream has its own journey, and every journey comes with different stages. My beginning was not easy. I faced challenges, including not having proper running shoes. I went to my parents and asked for a pair, but they questioned whether I was serious about running, whether I was willing to leave my focus on school, and whether I could truly succeed. Despite their concerns, my mother believed in me and bought me the shoes during my vacation.
That small act of support became the beginning of something much bigger.
“I had many struggles along the way, but they did not last forever. Along my journey, I met different people who believed in me, guided me, and helped change the course of my life.”
Post a comment