Prime
From cleaning banking halls to the boardroom
Centenary Bank Kasese branch manager Selevano Masereka. PHOTO/MATRED MURUNGI
What you need to know:
- To the top: Masereka started out as an office attendant, doing his job to the best of his ability.
- While at it, he did not let his background define him, he sought higher education and later applied for a job at the bank he was sweeping at.
- Years later, he has worked in many branches of Centenary Bank, though at the moment, he’s back to the branch he was originally hired as a cleaner.
In the vast tapestry of life, some stories shine with extraordinary brilliance, illuminating the path from humble beginnings to remarkable achievements. Selevano Masereka’s journey from an office attendant to the Branch Manager of Centenary Bank, Kasese Branch is one such radiant tale of perseverance, growth, and professional growth.
“In 2005, I graduated from the Uganda College of Commerce with a diploma in Business Studies, Accounting, and Finance,” reminisces Masereka. Armed with a diploma in Business Studies, Accounting, and Finance, eager to make his mark, he stepped into the role of college bursar at Bwera Teacher’s college.
While Masereka worked with the Bwera Teacher’s College, he longed to join the banking sector. Word reached Masereka of a unique opportunity at Centenary Bank’s Kasese branch. “They were looking for an office attendant,” he recalls. Eager to seize this chance, he swiftly submitted his application, driven by a desire to step into the world of banking.
“I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration through distance learning at Makerere University,” he states. As he went to collect his admission papers, destiny intervened.
“Zephanus Muhindo, the branch manager of Kasese branch at the time, called me to collect my appointment letter as an office attendant,” Masereka shares.This news electrified Masereka.
Bursting with excitement, he embarked on the journey back to Kasese from Kampala, ready to start a new chapter. Upon his return, he was told to prepare to return to Kampala for an official appointment.
August 9, 2007, marked the day when Masereka’s journey within the banking sector commenced. Clad in a Kaunda suit, his new uniform.
“My duties encompassed preparing and serving tea to staff, maintaining the bank’s impeccable premises, and facilitating the movement of vital documents between departments,” he recounts.
Masereka (R) going on with his duties at the bank. PHOTO/COURTESY
His name, Masereka, echoed throughout the banking hall as he efficiently and diligently carried out his tasks.
“Seeing young individuals grow within the bank ignited a fire within me,” Masereka reflects. The transformation he witnessed among his colleagues fueled his aspiration for greater heights. With this newfound determination, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, graduating in 2010. His journey of education, however, was only a prelude to the impending transition that awaited him.
In 2010, Masereka’s potential caught the eye of the Human Resources department.
“An oral interview paved the way for me to become a banking officer at the Ntungamo Branch,” he shares.
A year of dedicated service there laid the foundation for his rise - first as a customer service supervisor at Kasese branch, then as the Branch Supervisor.
“I held this role for two years,” he adds. until 2016, when he embraced the role of Assistant Branch Manager at Mbarara Corporate.
His dedication and excellence were soon rewarded with a substantive assignment as an Assistant Branch Manager, leading him back to Kasese branch, where his journey had began.
“My journey illustrates that with dedication and the right environment, even the most modest beginnings can lead to remarkable achievements,” he declares.
His words echo the sentiment that within each of us lies an eagle, ready to soar to great heights when provided with the opportunity.
