By George William Kiyingi
In Uganda’s bold ambition to eradicate poverty and foster prosperity at the grassroots, the Parish Development Model (PDM) stands out as a transformative framework.
Yet, no transformation is meaningful without access to financial services, technology, and opportunity. This is where Wendi, PostBank Uganda’s Wendi mobile wallet, emerges not just as a solution, but as a catalyst for financial inclusion.
The PDM’s promise is profound; to uplift millions of Ugandans by channeling resources to over 10,595 parishes across the country.
Yet, delivering on this promise requires more than just funding; it demands a seamless, secure, and accessible financial ecosystem.
Before Wendi became the gamechanger in PDM cash disbursements, beneficiaries faced immense challenges accessing financial services.
Long, exhausting journeys to distant bank branches, endless paperwork, and long queues characterized their experience.
Many would travel from remote corners like Nakapiripirit to Moroto just to open an account.
Wendi changes this narrative completely. With just a national ID and a mobile phone, anyone can onboard within minutes.
Over 1.3 million beneficiaries have already been onboarded since early 2024, and the volume of funds disbursed has reached over UGX 500 billion within the first half of 2025, with a remarkable 90% successful beneficiary payment rate.
The introduction of group-based SACCO governance ensures accountability, where disbursements require approval from SACCO designated leaders within beneficiary circles, fostering collective responsibility.
In addition, Wendi has enabled full integration with the Parish Development Management Information System (PDMIS).
This means every loan disbursed is first cross verified with government systems, ensuring transparency, security, and accountability, which is a critical safeguard in large-scale public finance initiatives.
This is a testament to how technology, when thoughtfully deployed, can unlock the last mile and empower those who were previously financially invisible.
Beyond mere disbursement, Wendi embodies true financial inclusion. It is a digital wallet owned by a government bank but designed for all Ugandans.
Companies Rise or Fall on How Well They Renew Their LeadersIt enables beneficiaries to transact effortlessly, from paying school fees and utility bills to purchasing seedlings and fuel, all within a secure, transparent ecosystem.
Wendi’s impact extends far beyond transactions. It is transforming mindsets around savings and financial discipline.
By offering competitive interest rates of up to 10% annually on savings, Wendi incentivises beneficiaries to save and build resilience rather than merely subsisting. This nurtures a culture of financial empowerment which is critical to economically uplifting Ugandans.
Challenges remain. Financial literacy remains limited, especially in rural areas, which makes scaling such a system costly for the bank.
Another challenge is that an estimated 70% of financial transactions still happen in hard cash.
From boda boda riders to market vendors and restaurant owners, cash still rules. But that cash is still untraceable, unsecured, and unbanked which tells a story of a system that has overlooked the daily realities of its citizens.
Wendi challenges this norm. It brings informal transactions into the digital fold securely, affordably, and conveniently.
With Wendi, a smallholder farmer in Kisoro can receive their PDM loan, purchase agricultural inputs, save earnings, and even repay the loan which is done all on their phone.
However, PostBank Uganda remains committed to investing in financial literacy and expanding agent networks to enhance integration and trust.
We have deliberately trained and deployed local agents who understand the vagaries of these communities, who know the terrains, and who embody trust.
Looking ahead, our vision is bold and clear: within a few years, every adult Ugandan will be a Wendi user. This means universal access to affordable financial services, real-time loan disbursements, savings products, and digital payments that fuel economic activity.
The author is Head of Agent Banking and Fintech Distribution, PostBank Uganda
