GoldStar at 30: Building trust, paying claims and shaping Uganda’s insurance future

GoldStar Insurance Company Ltd has marked 30 years of operations in Uganda, celebrating three decades of serving customers while unveiling plans to deepen its investment in digital insurance, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The anniversary celebrations, held on September 18, 2026 at Kabira Country Club in Kampala, brought together stakeholders from across Uganda’s insurance value chain to reflect on the company’s contribution to the sector and its future growth plans.

GoldStar Chief Executive Officer John Kawuma said the company had paid out Shs15 billion in insurance claims out of Shs53 billion worth of business written by the end of 2025, describing the claims payments as part of its contribution to the development of Uganda’s insurance industry.

Kawuma congratulated GoldStar’s customers and other stakeholders for supporting the company throughout its 30-year journey, saying their continued confidence had enabled it to maintain its focus on quality service delivery.

GoldStar bets on digital insurance and AI

Looking ahead, Kawuma said GoldStar would commit significant resources to transforming its operations and responding to changing customer expectations.

The company plans to invest in digital insurance solutions, enterprise management systems, artificial intelligence platforms, human resource development and stronger cybersecurity systems.

The investments are expected to improve the way customers access insurance products and services while strengthening the company’s ability to respond to emerging risks in an increasingly digital economy.

GoldStar Insurance Board Vice Chairperson Dr Sudhir Ruparelia said the company’s founders had established the business three decades ago with a vision of contributing to the development and growth of Uganda’s insurance industry.

He said the 30th anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on progress made towards that vision while positioning the company for its next phase of growth.

Ruparelia pledged the board’s continued investment in the insurance sector, including digital and AI-powered insurance tools aimed at attracting younger customers seeking faster and more convenient ways to access insurance services.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Ruparelia Group of Companies, which owns GoldStar Insurance, to sustainable business growth through job creation and expansion of services to the public.

GoldStar urges traders to insure against fire losses

Kawuma also used the occasion to encourage city traders to protect their businesses against risks such as fires that can destroy shops and merchandise worth millions of shillings.

He urged traders who operate in arcades and other commercial premises to take up appropriate business insurance policies rather than risk losing their investments to disasters without financial protection.

The call comes amid continued challenges faced by businesses when fires and other disasters destroy stock and property, leaving owners to shoulder the cost of rebuilding and replacing merchandise.

Regulator calls for greater trust in insurance

Representing the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda, Sande Protazio, Director of Supervision Bernard Obel congratulated GoldStar on reaching the 30-year milestone.

Obel attributed the company’s longevity to sustained efforts to provide quality, effective and efficient insurance services.

He, however, noted that insurance uptake in Uganda remains relatively low and called for stronger efforts by industry players to build customer confidence and expand awareness of insurance products.

According to Obel, insurance is a complex industry that requires companies to build their operations around trust, integrity, honesty, respect for the regulator and effective service delivery.

He said misconceptions and myths about insurance remained among the challenges limiting wider uptake.

Industry urged to step up public sensitisation

Obel urged insurance companies to intensify public education campaigns explaining the benefits and practical value of insurance.

He said the regulator would continue engaging educational institutions, employees and employers, government agencies and private-sector players through continuous capacity-building programmes designed to improve understanding and uptake of insurance products.

For GoldStar, the 30th anniversary comes with a renewed focus on technology, innovation and customer service as the company seeks to position itself for the next phase of Uganda’s evolving insurance market.