The I&M Select Banking Sapphire Club, by I&M Bank Uganda, was named the ‘Best Innovation of the Year’ at the fifth Uganda Marketing Excellence Awards (UMEAS), held on Thursday evening at Kampala Serena Hotel.
The award was received by the bank’s Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications-Annette Nakiyaga, and members of the marketing team.
Launched in October, the I&M Select Banking Sapphire Club offers respective members an exclusive private banking experience, curated for individuals whose financial sophistication, lifestyle, and aspirations transcend the ordinary.
Membership offers an exclusive world of privilege and opportunity- think access to private banking suites at Kingdom Kampala, with additional suites underway at other branches.
Other benefits include the I&M Bank World Elite Mastercard, that comes with higher limits and lifestyle rewards, customized treasury solutions, bespoke wealth management through I&M Capital, offshore private banking via Bank One in Mauritius, access to luxury global experiences- such as VIP Formula One and Real Madrid events, and the I&M Multicurrency Prepaid Card, which supports seamless transactions in nine currencies.
According to Nakiyaga, the I&M Select Banking Sapphire Club, being the most innovative banking solution for select clients, is poised to transform the landscape of premium banking, and the UMEAS award highlights the club’s outstanding contribution to financial innovation.
“First and foremost, I&M Bank is honored to be recognized with this award and we sincerely thank everyone who supported us with their votes. To our clients, we reaffirm our commitment to continue breaking new ground and creating innovative financial solutions that elevate your banking experience.
The I&M Select Banking Sapphire Club is here to go beyond the exceptional offerings our premium clients have already been enjoying. We are committed to continuously enhancing the banking experience, and we are excited about the innovative solutions and exclusive privileges that lie ahead,” Nakiyaga said.
The UMEAS, organized by Evolve Group Africa, saw different companies and brands commune to exhibit their marketing success, showcase the quality of their business, while celebrating the edition’s underpinning theme; ‘Promoting sustainable marketing excellence.
The session was preceded by the inaugural State of Marketing Address, a first of its kind marketing masterclass, that was moderated by Robert Victor Nsibirwa, the Marketing Manager, Spirits at Diageo/ UBL.
I&M Bank CEO, Robin Bairstow was one of the panelists. In his submission, he stated that the next-generation of marketeers must treat data as a strategic, predictive asset, one that clearly identifies priority areas for investment and prescribes the specific actions required for success.
“The marketeer of the future won’t be the deepest technical expert in every field, but they must be knowledgeable, confident, and skilled enough to inspire, influence, and direct the real experts around them,” Bairstow said.
Citing the success of the Tukikube ne I&M Bank campaign, which leveraged podcasts, micro-influencers, and integrated channels for precise targeting, Bairstow emphasized that marketing strategies must align closely with overall business goals.
“Looking ahead, human beings will keep buying with their hearts, not their heads. It’s the reason pricing comes with quality, whether it’s coffee, fashion or technology,” he added.
Other panelists included Barbra Arimi Teddy- Head of Marketing & Corporate Affairs, NSSF, John Paul Okwi -Senior Manager Events and Sponsorships, MTN Uganda, Jeffrey Amani- CEO Zeus Group, among others, all of whom who shared insights on industry trends, best practices, and strategies for driving growth.
According to Paul Businge, a co-founder of Evolve Africa, this year’s edition spanned every single aspect of marketing, communications, digital, and advertising, right from ideation, to creation, and execution.
“The marketing council played a critical role of ensuring professionalism at every stage of the process, as the awards aim to maintain credibility, transparency and fairness,” Businge said.
The distinguished Marketing council comprised Dr. Benedict Mugerwa, Ngulumi Immaculate Nabatte, John Paul Okwi, Rogers Anguzu, Barbara Arimi and Jackie Namara.
The UMEAS secretariat will release a detailed report, to explain their methodology for all stakeholders to review and understand why their brands performed the way they did.
The UMEAS 2025 and inaugural state of marketing address were sponsored by, I&M Bank, NSSF, NBS TV, Afromobile, Nexcom, Centenary Bank, Crown Beverages (Pepsi and Aquafina), Uganda Breweries Ltd, Kampala Serena Hotel, Vision Group, Equity Bank, Radio City, Matooke Republic, Kadanke Brand House, Datamine Technical Business School, Marketer Media and Women in Marketing Uganda.
