IBAU Inspires the Next Generation Through Career Guidance Program at Kyambogo University.
Date: 4th September 2025
Venue: Kyambogo University, Kampala
As part of its mandate to promote insurance awareness, talent development, and professional growth within the industry, the Insurance Brokers Association of Uganda (IBAU) conducted a highly enriching Career Guidance Outreach at Kyambogo University. The session, led by Mr. Alex Makata, CEO of Clarkson Insurance Brokers, attracted students who were eager to understand how insurance contributes to national development, business stability, and personal financial security.
Mr. Makata delivered an engaging and practical presentation that broke down insurance into simple, relatable language. Through real-life everyday examples such as medical emergencies, business fires, boda accidents, theft of property, and sudden hospitalization where he demonstrated how insurance acts as a vital safety net that protects individuals and businesses from financial shock. These illustrations helped students appreciate insurance as a pillar of resilience that prevents people from falling into poverty due to unexpected losses.
Using similarly relatable scenarios, Mr. Makata clearly defined the role of insurance brokers, emphasizing that brokers are trusted advisers who guide clients through complex insurance products. He highlighted examples such as:
helping a business owner choose the right fire and burglary cover,
supporting a family during a medical insurance claim,
negotiating better premiums for SMEs,
ensuring fair compensation after a motor accident.
Through these real-life cases, students understood that insurance brokers do not sell policies on behalf of insurers. Instead, brokers work for the client—advocating for their needs, simplifying policy language, negotiating favorable terms, and ensuring fair and timely claims settlement.
To further eliminate common misconceptions, he clarified the difference between insurance brokers and insurance agents:
Agents represent the insurer, selling products for one company.
Brokers represent the client, presenting multiple insurance options and recommending what best suits the client’s needs.
The session also explored various types of insurance including motor, medical, fire, agriculture, life, travel, and liability, all illustrated through practical case studies. Students were particularly intrigued by how insurance supports entrepreneurship, protects farmers, promotes financial resilience, and strengthens communities.
Beyond insurance knowledge, Mr. Makata introduced students to the wide range of career pathways within the insurance ecosystem, such as underwriting, risk management, loss adjusting, claims administration, bancassurance, actuarial science, and insurance broking. He emphasized the importance of ethics, communication skills, critical thinking, and professionalism and core competencies needed to succeed in the industry.
The interactive session included insights on:
Regulatory bodies, including the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA)
The structure of Uganda’s insurance market
Roles of key sector institutions, such as IBAU, the Uganda Insurers Association (UIA), and the Insurance Training College (ITC)
Client value proposition and the importance of protecting futures
Professional conduct and employability skills, including customer care, integrity, and responsible decision-making
Students expressed great interest and appreciation for the outreach, noting that the use of real-life examples helped demystify insurance and made the subject relatable and engaging. Many shared that they now see insurance as a meaningful and impactful career with opportunities to contribute to national growth.
Kyambogo University commended the initiative and expressed interest in continued partnership. The outreach reaffirmed IBAU’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of skilled insurance professionals and strengthening public understanding of the critical role insurance brokers play in protecting livelihoods, businesses, and communities.
