By Our Reporter
Kampala: Fabian Kasi, the outgoing Chief managing director for Centenary bank, is likely to be replaced by his counterpart Mathias Katamba of dfcu Bank.
Sources reveal that Kasi is soon hanging his boots at Centenary Bank such that he pursue private business ambitions.
His looming departure has however opened wide an opportunity for Katamba, also a seasoned banking expert.
Katamba, who in October last year replaced Juma Kisaame, whose tenure at the bank expired in December 2018, inherited a boat that was in turbulent waters following its controversial acquisition of Crane Bank, which has made it subject to several probes, court cases and scrutiny. Katamba’s appointment became effective on January 2, 2019.
But with less than a year as the head of dfcu Bank, Katamba is reportedly being looked at as the only potential candidate to replace Kasi at Centenary Bank, because of his super banking wizardry. Katamba, who possesses massive banking experience, worked for Housing Finance Bank as Managing Director before joining dfcu bank.
Prior to that he had served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), at Finance Trust Bank for five years, although he a held other senior positions in Uganda banking sector. Currently, Katamba is Chairman of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services, and also director at UAP Old Mutual General Insurance Uganda Limited, Private Sector Foundation and Central Broadcasting Services.
When he was appointed dfcu CEO, Katamba seemed the right choice to lead the bank which has since come under a lot of scrutiny especially ever since it took over Crane Bank. The Auditor General described Crane Bank’s takeover by dfcu bank as a deal that was marred with conflict of interest, and fears of possible fraud or corruption. However, this hasn’t stopped Katamba from steering the financial institution into more growth, experience Centenary is likely to benefit if he joins them.