Democratizing financial services: Financial inclusion as an enabler of sustainable peace and development in Uganda

Democratization of financial services through digital technology has significantly evolved Uganda’s financial sector, which has subsequently invigorated more academic and policy enthusiasm for financial inclusion. Socio-economic inequalities, such as disproportionate access to employment, quality education, proper healthcare and housing construct structural barriers that reinforce financial exclusion; and can gravitate into deep grievances, consequently causing social conflict. Therefore, addressing the barriers of financial inclusion alleviates the likelihood of protest from lower segments of society, hence creating more peaceful and socially stable communities.