On 27 October 2026, dfcu Bank Limited launched its Inaugural Report to Society 2025, outlining how its banking operations and community investment initiatives have contributed to Uganda’s economic development, financial inclusion and community wellbeing.

Held at Serena Hotel in Kigo, the launch brought together leaders from dfcu Limited, dfcu Bank, dfcu Foundation, alongside customers, stakeholders and partners. Discussions focused on responsible banking, enterprise growth, accountability and the need to measure institutional success beyond financial performance.

The report documented dfcu’s work in financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supporting women entrepreneurs, strengthening agricultural value chains, expanding access to financial services and advancing community development. It also covered environmental initiatives and partnerships aimed at improving livelihoods across Uganda.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Winifred Mary Tarinyeba Kiryabwire, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of dfcu Bank Limited, said the report was an important step towards greater accountability and visibility of the Bank’s contribution to its stakeholders.

“There’s a common view that banks simply take deposits, charge high fees, and charge high interest rates. At dfcu, we would like to be judged differently; not by what we take, but by the difference we make and what we help to make possible,” she said.

Dr Kiryabwire noted that the report addressed the expectations of regulators seeking transparency, shareholders looking for sustainable value, employees seeking inclusive workplaces and customers expecting financial institutions to respond to their needs.

One of the highlighted initiatives was dfcu Bank’s Women in Business programme, which has supported more than 80,000 women entrepreneurs by promoting enterprise development and access to financial services.

Mr Charles M. Mudiwa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of dfcu Bank Limited, said publishing the report reflected the Bank’s responsibility to account for the trust and resources entrusted to it by customers, investors and the wider public.

“Our customers and stakeholders entrust us with their money, their businesses and their confidence. We therefore have a responsibility to account for how we use those resources and what they help us achieve,” he said.

Mr Mudiwa explained that the report brought together impact stories and key figures from the Bank’s work, giving stakeholders a clearer picture of its contribution beyond financial products and services. He added that dfcu aimed to remain a resilient, purpose-driven institution whose services enabled meaningful progress for individuals and businesses across Uganda.

According to the report, dfcu Bank financed 6,527 SMEs in 2025, supporting businesses across the economy. The Bank also reported that its community health interventions reached more than 25,000 Ugandans.

Through a three-year partnership with Rotary Uganda, dfcu Bank committed UGX 1 billion to expand access to preventive healthcare through community medical camps. With recent health camps held in Jinja, Mbuya, Mutungo, Kasenyi Landing Site, and Kamwokya, these camps provide free outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, dental and eye care, health education and referrals. They also screen for conditions including hypertension, diabetes, HIV, cancer and sickle cell disease.

The initiative aims to reduce barriers to healthcare, encourage early detection and connect communities with essential medical services.

Dr James Ssemwanga, Chairperson of the dfcu Foundation, said the Foundation’s transition from a Business Development Centre to dfcu Foundation in 2024 strengthened its focus on enterprise development, financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth:

“Since 2018, dfcu Foundation has supported more than 4,000 enterprises and reached over 80,000 beneficiaries, the majority of whom are women and young people. In 2025, we facilitated approximately UGX 38 billion in credit, helping enterprises access formal financial services and invest in growth. Our ambition for 2025-2030 is to support more than 100,000 additional beneficiaries by strengthening enterprises, connecting value chains and building productive market ecosystems,” he said.

The report put financing facilitated through dfcu Foundation at UGX 38.08 billion, highlighting its role in connecting enterprises to formal finance and supporting business growth.

Mr Jimmy D. Mugerwa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of dfcu Limited, the holding company of dfcu Bank, described the report as a milestone in the Group’s efforts to combine financial performance with responsible corporate citizenship.

“We hope this initiative encourages a wider culture of transparency in which responsible businesses report not only on what they earn, but also on what they contribute to society,” he said.

Mr Mugerwa noted that dfcu had operated in Uganda since 1964 and reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to building a resilient institution for future generations. He also recognised the contributions of employees, customers, shareholders, partners and communities, linking the report to Uganda’s broader development priorities, including economic growth and expanded opportunities for businesses and households.

Prominently featured in the report are environmental initiatives, with campaign materials citing 62,000 trees planted or distributed in 2025. However, the long-term impact of such programmes depends on factors including tree survival rates, maintenance arrangements and environmental outcomes. Distinguishing between trees planted and distributed is therefore important when assessing their lasting contribution to environmental resilience.

More broadly, the report reflected the growing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in banking. This involves understanding how financial decisions affect businesses, livelihoods, communities and the environment, while maintaining appropriate governance, risk management and accountability.

Helena Mayanja, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu Bank Limited, said the report brought together the different dimensions of the Bank’s contribution and made them more accessible to stakeholders:

“The purpose of this report is to show what happens when finance opens doors, enables businesses to grow and creates opportunities that extend beyond the immediate customer relationship,” she said.

Ms Mayanja encouraged stakeholders to read the full report and use it to understand the programmes, partnerships and impact figures documented by dfcu. The report is available on dfcu Bank’s official website.

Among those attending were Dr Jeff Sebuyira-Mukasa, Dr Danny Zandamela, George Njuguna MBS, Millie Nkaja, Amanda Kabagambe and Mr Mark William Springett, Non-Executive Directors of dfcu Bank Limited; Kate K. Kiiza, Executive Director and Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer; Margaret Karume, Executive Director and Chief Credit Officer; and Maryann Wanjiku Michuki, Chief Business Solutions and Marketing Officer, amongst other senior members of the dfcu Bank management committee.

Representing the dfcu Limited Board were Francis Gimara SC, Dr Aminah Zawedde, Fred Pelser, CPA FCCA Keto Nyapendi Kayemba, and Barbra Teddy Arimi, alongside Sophie Achak, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of dfcu Limited. The dfcu Foundation was represented by Mabel Ndawula, Executive Director; Kate Kiiza, Non-Executive Director; and Dr Victoria Sekitoleko, Board Member.

Other attendees included Mrs Rosemary McGarvey, Chairperson of the Women Business Advisory Council; Geoffrey Martin Kitakule, Immediate Past District Governor and District Learning Facilitator of Rotary District 9213; and Mr Karthik Palan, the event host from Serena Kigo.